Liposuction reshapes the body by breaking up fat cells which are then removed and/or naturally excreted from the body. Out of the many different types of liposuction, the most popular are as follows:
A GOOD CANDIDATE for different types of liposuction includes:
The following patients are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES for different types of liposuction:
Tumescent liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis and usually under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the treatment area is infiltrated with a mixture of saline, epinephrine and lidocaine. This tumescent fluid numbs the area by constricting the blood flow and engorges the area for easier fat removal. The surgeon makes tiny incisions and then inserts the cannula to break up the fat. The cannula is connected to a vacuum-like device that suctions out the fluid and fat through the holes in the cannula.
Laser liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The surgeon makes tiny incisions in the treatment area and inserts a cannula which houses a fiber optic laser. The heat from the laser melts the targeted fat into a liquefied state. The fat is either drained from the body through tiny incisions or is gently suctioned away. The heat also causes the surrounding tissue to contract which results in skin tightening.
UAL is when ultrasonic sound waves are used to melt fat deposits. The first step is the injection of tumescent fluid to help prevent any fluid loss during the fat removal process. Then, ultrasonic waves are produced by a generator. The waves are transmitted to a cannula and, when the cannula comes into contact with the fat cells, the fat cells liquefy and are vacuumed out.
Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL) is a traditional liposuction method that removes fat cells from the body. A cannula is placed in the fat pockets of the body through tiny incisions. The cannula is attached to a device that operates much like a vacuum. The surgeon then pushes and pulls the cannula through the fat layers in order to destroy the fat cells. Once they are broken up and/or destroyed, the fat cells are suctioned out of the body.
Alternative Treatment
CoolSculpting is different from liposuction since nothing is inserted or removed from the body. An external device is applied to certain areas of the skin which can suction or pull the skin and fat into it. The fat is kept at a very cold temperature for a certain amount of time. This causes the fat cells to become damaged and some of them to expire. The body will eventually absorb the expired fat cells and digest them.
The cost of liposuction depends on the type of liposuction performed and how much fat is removed. The cost also varies thanks to any anesthesia costs and the geographic location of the treatment. The prices ranges are:
RECOVERY after liposuction is relatively the same for all techniques as the patient can expect some bruising, swelling and soreness after the procedure. The length of recovery time depends on the treatment area and the volume of fat cells removed. However, it generally stands at two weeks for the various techniques. Pain medications can be taken to ease discomfort and a compression garment, worn on the treatment site, will help maintain the swelling and aid with skin shrinkage. This compression garment will be worn 24 hours a day, except when showering, for several weeks. Small drainage tubes may be under the skin at the incision site to excrete excess fluid but they will be removed a few days after surgery. Since the incisions are usually very small, stitches are not typically used.
In terms of DOWNTIME, most patients can return to light duty work within a few days after liposuction. They can usually resume normal activities within two to three weeks. Heavy exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks or until the doctor states otherwise.
The results vary according to the type of liposuction. Most patients begin to see some results after the majority of the swelling has subsided. Patients can usually see a better silhouette after a week or two with laser liposuction and three to four weeks with other forms of liposuction. In general, final results are likely to be seen at six to nine months. Since the fat cells removed from the treated area of the body can never come back, the results from the different types of liposuction are permanent.
The risks of the different types of liposuction include:
It may be difficult for patients to decide which liposuction procedure is the better option for them. While all of the procedures can provide a contoured body, each one is performed in a different enough manner to require additional research on the part of the patient. To achieve the best possible results, patients should meet with a board-certified surgeon who specializes in the different types of liposuction and performs them regularly. The doctor can perform an examination and determine which type of liposuction will best help patients achieve their desired results.
Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team - MA
Based on an exclusive interview with Julio Garcia, MD in Las Vegas, NV