The Food and Drug Administration has just approved a new, less-invasive technique for liposuction using lasers. Some doctors say that this laser liposuction is better and safer than the traditional surgery. It can help patients lose a size or two with little down time, and without the usual effects of loose, bumpy skin associated with traditional liposuction.
SmartLipo, Smart Lipo, Laser Liposuction or laser lipolysis, is a procedure for fat removal like liposuction that utilizes the energy generated from a laser fiber to "melt" fat away. Laser liposuction is performed in a doctor's office under a light, local anesthetic.
Using a very small cannula (tube) a laser fiber is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth delivering the laser's energy directly to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and easily drain away. Unlike traditional liposuction, which commonly leaves skin loose and lax, the Smartlipo laser energy also interacts with the dermis, resulting in collagen shrinkage and excellent skin retraction offering wonderful results.
Due to the cannula's small size, Smartlipo is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The laser causes small blood vessels to thicken immediately on contact, resulting in less bleeding, swelling and bruising - and a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction. Because general anesthesia is unnecessary, the laser procedure is very safe, with only minimal side effects.
Traditional liposuction uses a vacuum with a metal tube attached, which the doctor moves back and forth as it tears out and removes fat. You get more loose skin as a result, bleeding, swelling, scaring and destruction of tissue. Sagging skin sometimes necessitates additional surgical procedures such as face or neck lifts. Alternatively, Smartlipo uses a laser which melts away fat and results in less destruction and bruising, less scaring and no stitches. Recovery times are also faster with Smartlipo.
"If you do traditional liposuction, you can actually make the skin look worse. It is pretty much like a deflated balloon," said Dr. Bruce Katz in a recent interview with ABC News. Dr. Katz is director of the Juva Skin & Laser Center in New York City. "This type of laser technology allows us to melt the fat and tighten the skin at the same time."
Laser lipo treatments are not cheap. Treatments cost between $2,000 - $4,000 depending on the treatment area or doctor.
The new procedure isn't for everybody.
Doctors say the laser system is best suited for targeting small fat deposits in otherwise healthy people, and it is not a cure for obesity.
"In the age of technology and cosmetic surgery, there are such dramatic improvements in technology that sometimes the hype goes beyond what can actually be accomplished," said Paul Jarrod Frank in a recent ABCNews.com interview. Dr. Frank is a dermatologic surgeon in New York City.
"There will never be a magic wand of cosmetic surgery," Frank said.
What is Laser Liposuction?
Laser liposuction is a form of minimal invasive procedure that may result to some bruising in patients. In this procedure, a very small incision is made into which a 1mm cannula is then inserted. The laser tip of the instrument then comes into contact with the fats, heats the fats up and breaks them down. The melted fat can then be removed from the body immediately.
The fats that are not removed from the body are simply flushed out through our lymphatic system. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.
Its Use
Not everyone is built for laser liposuction, though. Although some may claim that laser liposuction can work wonders on all parts of your body, it can only really work on limited areas. Only smaller areas like the face, neck and arms can be subjected to this laser treatment.
Just like traditional liposuction, laser liposuction is also simply a body sculpting procedure. It is therefore not a solution for obesity and cannot be used for weight loss. The appropriate candidates for this new technology are people who are fairly healthy and who have only small fat deposits.
The Advantages
Because this procedure is less invasive compared to other body sculpting procedure, there is only minimal bruising, scarring, tissue damage and pain. The incision is said to be so small that a patient no longer needs to be stitched up. This means that the rate of recovery is faster. Patients can get back on their feet in a day or two.
Aside from melting fat, laser liposuction also promotes collagen production and tightens the skin. This is a great improvement compared to traditional liposuction. In traditional liposuction, some patients end up looking worse because of a lack of ideal skin elasticity. Some doctors may use laser liposuction after sessions of traditional liposuction to help tighten the skin.
Risks
Not all areas of the body can be subjected to laser liposuction. Traditional liposuction may still be needed for wider body areas such as the hips and thighs. It is also still a very young piece of technology. Experts agree that more studies need to be conducted to determine the possible negative side effects of this procedure.
Retaining more fat fluid is also a more serious concern that should be given more attention by those who undergo laser liposuction. Of course, the FDA would not approve something that could be potentially dangerous. It is a fact though that the full long term side effects of the procedure cannot be determined yet until it has been in use for quite some time. Be on the safe side by asking your doctor to extensively discuss the procedure with you.
Both R Grey & Victoria Rowde are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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