Liposuction and Body Contouring
Liposuction is the technique of removing body fat from the plane between the skin and the underlying muscle using very small incisions and strong suction through an instrument called a cannula to remove fat. Liposuction, as a rule, does not remove excess skin, but rather, relies on the elasticity of the overlying skin to contract and re-adhere to the underlying muscle. Other body contouring procedures can be done in conjunction with liposuction to remove excess skin along with the underlying fat to improve body shape and contour, but do leave longer scars where skin was removed. The most common of these body contouring procedures are the Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty), Arm surgery (Brachioplasty), and Thigh Lift procedures.
Many different types of Liposuction techniques have emerged since first being developed in 1970’s. The term Tumescent Liposuction refers to the technique of first injecting a solution into the fat being treated to decrease bleeding, increase comfort, and improve the amount of fat that can be removed. Most surgeons use some degree of tumescence when performing liposuction.
Power Assisted Liposuction involves using a motor driven hand piece that oscillates the cannula at a very rapid rate to increase fat removal and improve contour.
Ultrasonic Liposuction utilizes a special cannula and equipment which creates an ultrasonic wave which penetrates and melts fat cells prior to them being removed from the tissue space. Vaser is the trade name of such system and has been shown to have advantages in tougher fatty areas of the body, such as the male breast and upper flanks.
Laser Assisted Liposuction is a technique which involves advancing a small laser into the fat compartment to liquefy the fat prior to it being removed. The manufacturers of laser assisted liposuction systems such as the Smart Lipo and Cool Lipo claim some contraction of the overlying skin occurs, although that claim is disputed by some surgeons.
Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction utilizes radio frequency waves to melt the fat prior to its removal.
Melting fat utilizing various solutions injected through the skin, such as the popularized "Lipo-dissolve" should be considered with caution. It is frequently advertised by physicians that have no training or expertise in the field of plastic surgery and has resulted in very unfavorable and unpredictable results. It is currently being studied by a special plastic surgical panel.
No matter what technique is used for fat removal, it is essential to choose a highly trained and skilled Plastic Surgeon, who is both knowledgeable in the various techniques, but is also intimately familiar with the anatomy he/she is treating to assure the most optimal result.