Liposuction, Laser Liposuction, or Lipodissolve:
Which Treatment is Right for You?
With swimsuit season approaching, you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and get rid of those unwanted lumps and bulges. But with so many liposuction procedures to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? It may be tempting to go with the least expensive liposuction procedure and the fastest recovery time, but before you make such a big decision, it’s best to examine the facts.
Traditional Liposuction
Traditional liposuction is performed through small incisions in the areas where the fat is to be removed. A thin hollow tube (cannula) is inserted to loosen excess fat, and the dislodged fat is suctioned out of the body using a surgical vacuum or syringe. This is the preferred method among board certified plastic surgeons for removing larger amounts of fat tissue.
Traditional liposuction has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States, and is a relatively safe procedure when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Side effects are rare, but can include bleeding, blood clots, poor wound healing, infection, reactions to anesthesia, scarring, reactions to medications, and skin irregularities. However, traditional liposuction has been recognized as a safe and effective method of removing localized fat areas by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Liposuction
Laser liposuction, also known as Smart Lipo, is a type of cosmetic surgery that uses lasers to melt away fat. A laser is inserted through tiny incisions in the skin. When the laser is fired, it melts the fat, also tightening the skin at the same time.
Laser liposuction is not a replacement for traditional liposuction, but may be an alternative for plastic surgery patients looking to remove small pockets of fat in the face, neck, arms, and breasts. It is not intended for larger areas such as the stomach and hips. Smart Lipo has been approved by FDA for use in the United States, and is a relatively safe procedure when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Side effects can include bleeding and bruising.
Lipodissolve
Lipodissolve, also known as injection lipolysis or mesotherapy, involves injecting a mixture of chemicals into the skin and/or subcutaneous fatty tissue in order to dissolve fat cells in the hips, waist, thighs, and buttocks.
Lipodissolve has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States, nor has it been proven to be safe.
Only a few, small scientific studies have been performed to test the safety and effectiveness of lipodissolve. So far, the shots have not worked for everyone, and many people have reported side effects such as allergic reaction, skin ulceration, scarring and infection.