Advancements in methods of fat removal by liposuction continue to change and be improved. One of the most noteworthy methods that is currently marketed and touted is laser liposuction, or more accurately, laser-assisted liposuction.

As opposed to the traditional technique of a hollowed-out cannula insertion, loosening and beating up the fat tissue, and then ******* it out, this mechanical particulation is replaced by the heat of laser energy. Inside the liposuction cannula, fibers carrying laser light deliver their heat to the targeted fat breaking it down into a liquid ‘soup’ which can be suctioned out. Theoretically, the skin in the areas overlying where the liposuction was done may get tighter due to the heat from the laser.

As of this date, there are three such laser-assisted liposuction systems available in the United States. They are under the marketed tradenames of SMARTLIPO (Cynosure), COOLLIPO (CoolTouch), and PROLIPO (Sctiton). All of them tout more effective and efficient fat removal, less bruising and swelling after the procedure, a faster recovery, and some skin tightening and improvement in the appearance of cellulite over the treated areas.

The real question is….are they truly better than basic liposuction…and are their increased costs over traditional liposuction worth it? (someone has to pay for the equipment purchase…and that someone is you the patient!) To date, laser-assisted liposuction is tremendously appealing, particularly to the general public. In the past, any medical treatment that included the word, laser, always enamors the public. No clinical trials have yet been reported however, that I have seen, that have ever directly compared any laser-assisted vs traditional liposuction procedure in patients. No clinical trial, large or small, has yet been done that has compared the results of any touted liposuction method in a prospective, controlled clinical study. FDA approval of these devices implies that they are safe for patient use but that does not mean they are necessarily more effective than other liposuction methods.

Much like ultrasonic-assisted liposuction when it was introduced 10 years ago, laser-assisted liposuction may be a popular trend that, in the end, will fare no better. It will undoubtably have its place in liposuction options and armamentarium but I doubt if it is magic or whether it offers a quantum leap forward in patient outcomes and recovery times. While it is another method of removing fat, I remain skeptical if all of the marketing claims of laser-assisted liposuction such as a quicker recovery and skin tightening can live up to the hype.

I am all for any form of advancement in liposuction, which is a fairly traumatic procedure on the tissues. While effective, liposuction is still one of the most ‘brutal’ procedures that we as plastic surgeons do. Is laser-assted liposuction a better method of liposuction?…..ask me again in 5 years!



By: Dr Barry Eppley

About the Author:

Dr Barry Eppley is a private plastic surgeon whose practice is located at his hospital-based medspa locations at Clarian Health in Indianapolis. To learn more about the latest trends in plastic surgery, go to his daily blog, http://www.exploreplasticsurgery.com .



by William

Before we purchase any product or services, we would always shop around for the best bargain. Selecting an establishment to perform any kind of plastic surgery is just the same. Regardless of the type of surgery that you wish to undertake, you would be surprise to discover the price gap between different hospitals and private practices in your state or within your country.

Unlike other services, a highly inflated price tag for plastic surgery does not necessary translates to a getting a better surgeon or a higher level or hospitality. A lot of the time, the higher per price tag merely reflects the higher standards of living and expenses in that particular area.

Liposuction, unlike many form of refined plastic surgery, is a type of surgery that can be safely performed by any qualified doctor. If you are planning to go for some complicated facial reconstruction surgery, you may want to get some referrals from friends and other patients before you make your decision.

Liposuction on the other hand is a fairly simple procedure that merely involves the removal of fat tissues for certain parts of your body. There are many qualified surgeons in the country that can perform this surgery competently so you can afford to shop around for the best bargain.

The best way to get an accurate price quote for your liposuction surgery is to have a consultation with the doctor. After a consultation, the doctor would be able to give you an accurate quote on how much the procedure would cost. You can make several appointments with several doctors in some hospitals near you before you make your decision.

There are many factors that can influence the price of the procedure. The reputation of the doctors is one of the main influences when it comes to the price. Experienced and reputable doctors usually charge much more than newcomers. The type of facilities provided in the hospital would also greatly influence the price.

Depending on the area where you want the excess fat to be removed, the average price of a liposuction procedure on one area is $3500. Prices can go as low as $1500 and as high as $8000 depending on the various factors above.

About the Author:
by Thomas

Cosmetic surgeries are slowly becoming as common as facials and manicures. In present day, more and more people are willing to undergo cosmetic surgeries to improve their appearance. Liposuction is among one of the most common cosmetic surgeries today. When cosmetic surgeries first became popular in the eighties, the cost of such procedures was so high that only the rich and famous people could afford it. Two decades down the road, the prices of such surgeries are now just a fraction of what it once was.

Nevertheless, cosmetic surgeries today are by no means cheap. Depending on a variety of factors, the cost could run from $2000 to $20000 for the exact same surgery. Before we make any expensive purchases, we would usually do some research on where we can get the best bargains. Since liposuction (and many other cosmetic surgeries) are not only expensive but carries with in many health risks, it pays to do a little more research before we undergo the surgery. Here are some of the factors that influence the price of a liposuction procedure.

1.The Doctor: The doctor that you choose to perfume the procedure is one of the major factors that influence the price of the surgeries. Very experienced doctors that have great track records and famous clients can cost five to ten times more than the average doctor. Depending on your budget, it is always worthwhile to go for reputable doctors if you can afford it

2.Locality. The location of the hospital or medical establishment is also another factor that influences the cost of liposuction. To quote an obvious example, the cost of liposuction in New York City would definitely be much more expensive than in a city like Tulsa. The standards of living in a particular place greatly influences the price of the procedure

3.Body Area. The area of your body where you would like for the excess fat to be removed is a major factor as well. The cost of liposuction on your cheeks and neck is much more expensive than the cost of removing excess fat from your chest and abdomen. The amount of fat that wants to be removed is also a factor to be considered.

4.Type of Surgery. Today, there are many types of liposuction procedures, all with varying price tags. Some of the more common procedures include laser liposuction and tumescent liposuction. The type of anesthesia used would also make a big difference in the cost of the surgery.

About the Author:
by Victoria Rowde

A new technology in fat reduction just got recently approved by the FDA as a method for removing fat in specific areas of the body. It seems that people no longer need to stick to the option of traditional liposuction. There is however, still a lot that we need to know about laser liposuction.

What is Laser Liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a minimally-invasive fat removal procedure wherein 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 lymphatic system in our body can flush out and release fats that are not removed. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.

Its Use

Laser liposuction is apparently not for everyone. 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.

Laser liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction in that it is also a form of 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

Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there is less swelling, 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.

Another advantage of laser liposuction is that it promotes collagen production and tightens the skin aside from merely melting body fats. 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.

Disadvantages

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.

A more serious concern that especially deserves more attention in laser liposuction is also the probable negative effects of having more fat fluid being retained in the body. 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.

About the Author:
by Gabriel

People build up excess fats in their bodies, which are not discarded generally through dieting and exercising. In the 1980s, dermatologists formulated a new method of liposuction known as tumescent liposuction as a way for removing excess fat.

Tumescent liposuction is believed to be a reliable and effective surgical procedure. This technique is gaining recognition and acceptance. This is because this method has minimal side effects when compared to the conventional liposuction.

Cannulas need to be inserted in the areas where excess fat is accumulated. Tiny openings are formed on the affected skin area. Then the cannulas are inserted into the skin through these tiny openings.

A general anesthesia, lidocaine, and epinephrine are introduced in the body parts. The fluids push the areas where the excess fat is accumulated and discards it from the body with little bleeding. After the surgery, the treated area remains numb for around thirty-six hours with no additional painkillers or lidocaine.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tumescent Liposuction:

The advantages are as follows:

1. It uses a diluted solvent of general anesthesia and several other medicaments for filling the areas containing excess fat before. Thus, the tissues become strong and puffy. 2. The time for healing is short. 3. It involves minimal fluid and blood loss. 4. The anesthesia administered does not cause any sickness or other side effects. 5. Lidocaine is an antibacterial medication that minimizes the probabilities of illness. 6. Endovenous fluid substitution is not essential. 7. The puffiness eliminates the probability of a secondary treatment. 8. The small sized incisions have minimal bruises. 9. This process eliminates the need for the patient to stay at the hospital. 10. Since the individual stays conscious during the surgery, the cosmetologists have an advantage because they can tell the patients to shift sides for good sculpting. 11. There is little uneasiness, bleeding, or scars. 12. This treatment is perhaps the best way to discard fat. 13. Local anesthesia not only minimizes the pain but also the inflammation and skin abnormalities.

Though it is well known and popular, it has certain disadvantages. It might lead to minor problems like dimpling, numbness, unevenness, infections, skin irregularities, and bruises. All these are rare incidents that can be treated safely and easily. A patient can also have the risk of fluid accumulation and lidocaine toxicity. The latter surfaces if the solvent has high lidocaine content that interrupts the body in the metabolism process.

The professional cosmetic surgeons have various cosmetic, rehabilitative, non-surgical and surgical ways for mending the transformation of the skin. It is very important to consult a cosmetic surgeon before going in for this surgery. Only an experienced and professional surgeon has the authority for performing this surgery.

About the Author:
 Page 6 of 6  « First  ... « 2  3  4  5  6