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Laser Liposuction: The Truth
What is Laser liposuction?
Laser liposuction uses laser energy to destroy fat cells. The laser liposuction is typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, or sedation anesthesia, depending on the amount of fat that will be removed. The concept is simple: Lasers heat the fat cells and destroy fat cells.
Is Laser Lipo Worth It?
As of late many plastic surgery consumers have been sucked in (pun intended) to that of the Laser Liposuctions, such as “Smart Lipo”, "Slim lipo", or "Lipolite". This type of procedure has been touted as technologically advanced and boasts results that come with less downtime and is less costly than regular lipo. What they are really doing is creating a buzz with a clever marketing campaign and not really offering any better of a procedure than Tumescent liposuction. In fact, what they are offering may be a worse one.
Is Laser Liposuction Safer?
One of the top selling points of laser liposuction is that it is done under local anesthesia making it “safer and easier”. Tumescent liposuction is done the same way, under local anesthesia. It is most likely that the fancy “laser” terminology is what draws patients in, as they see it as advanced. In fact the laser makes the process more risky as you are adding an additional step. The results of laser lipo are also extremely miniscule as the procedure is using heat energy with the hopes to destroy fat call membranes manually, if you think that sounds like a gimmick, you aren’t alone.
Laser Liposuction Recovery Time
Tumescent liposuction offers more benefits as you are actually sucking out the fat and less of a risk since it is only a one-part procedure. Laser lipo also does not offer immediate results, as the fat is gradually eliminated from the body thanks to the laser. It could take up to 12 weeks to see any change and often times the fat comes right back. Since laser liposuction is a fairly new procedure the long-term results can’t really be measured. Among the hype as well, is the “no downtime, right back to work” claims. But chances are if you have multiple incisions and spend 2 – 2 1/2 hours being treated it is highly unlikely you are not going to need to go home and rest a bit. Tumescent liposuction requires the same minimal recovery time.
So in the end tumescent liposuction is going to be the best bet if you really want to remove stubborn pockets of fat. It offers all the same benefits and then some without the additional risk of added steps. Be wary of fad procedures and media hyped surgeries. And always, always, make sure your Doctor is a Board Certified and specially trained in performing the procedure.