Laser Liposuction

Summary: This article provides information about laser lipo including who makes a good candidate, the procedure, risks, recovery time and pricing.

Laser liposuction, also known as laser assisted lipolysis or LAL, is a popular liposuction procedure that uses lasers to break up the fat for easier removal. During laser liposuction, a solution containing anesthetic is first injected in order to begin breaking down fat in the treatment area. Then a thin tube is inserted under the skin. Laser energy is used to dissolve the fat so that it can be removed it from the body using slight suction through the tube.

By breaking down the fat in this manner before removing it from the body, this procedure takes considerably less time than it would have without the assistance of a laser. It will also minimize the trauma the surrounding tissues will undergo, since the laser energy can penetrate the skin and target the fat cells without causing damage to the surrounding tissue.

Are You a Good Candidate for Laser Liposuction?

Candidates for the laser liposuction procedure should be reasonably fit, and should already be close to their recommended body weight. Liposuction should not be mistaken for a weight loss solution. This procedure is best used for excising stubborn pockets of fat that aren’t responding to your weight loss efforts through diet and exercise. It is most effective on small, concentrated areas of the body, such as the face or the neck. Fibrous areas of the body, such as the love handles, also respond well to laser energy.

Procedure

Prior to beginning the laser liposuction procedure, the targeted area must be injected with tumescent fluid. This fluid acts as both an anesthetic as well as an agent that begins to break up the fat. Once the fluid starts taking its effect, the surgeon will then direct the laser beam over the targeted area. The fat cells will liquify once they absorb the radiation of the laser beam.

Once the fat has broken down, a thin cannula is inserted underneath the skin through an incision measuring less than an inch in length. This tube is then gently maneuvered underneath the skin, using a suction force to remove the fat. Due its small size, the cannula is able to sculpt the targeted area with great precision, which can yield excellent results in terms of physical appearance. Because of the small length of the incision, once the targeted fat has been removed no sutures are required.

There are a number of different laser-assisted liposuction methods currently available, including SmartLipo, ProLipo, CoolLipo, LipoLite, LipoTherme, and ThinLipo. The difference between these procedures are the wavelength and the intensity of the laser beam used. Fat cells respond differently to different wavelengths of light in terms of their ability to absorb the energy. Nevertheless, the underlying principles are the same. Aside from these technical differences, you will probably not notice any difference at the doctor’s office.

Risks & Complications

There are risks associated with any medical procedure. Liposuction and laser liposuction are no exception. Even a seemingly noninvasive procedure like laser liposuction can cause bruising and swelling, which can lead to complications such as infections. Therefore, it is imperative that you follow the post-operation instructions given to you by your doctor. Another possible complication is the presence of contour deformities, such as lumps underneath the skin.

The heat energy emitted by a laser can cause complications as well. For example, prolonged laser beam contact with the skin can result in skin burns and thermal injuries. This type of occurrence is more common in cases where the doctor has not received adequate training or lacks experience with surgical lasers. For the best results, always choose a board-licensed surgeon who has extensive experience performing laser-assisted liposuction procedures.

Single procedures confined to smaller areas of the body generally tend to be much safer than procedures that are performed on larger areas and multiple procedures being performed simultaneously on the body.

Recovery Time

After laser liposuction, you can expect to return home on the same day as your procedure. Most patients are able to return to work in about week. The discomfort and bruising that you experience as side effects from laser liposuction are considerably milder than that which you might experience if you were to undergo a traditional liposuction procedure. The laser energy is used to seal the blood vessels, thereby resulting in significantly decreased bleeding and swelling, and a far shorter period of recovery.