Liposuction procedure types, cost and recovery. Laser lipo before and after. Liposuction alternatives, results, risks, side effects

Liposuction, liposculpture, lipoplasty, or simply lipo, is an aesthetic plastic surgery of removing fat from a patient’s body, using suction. Fat can be removed from certain areas of a patient’s body, such as abdomen, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, chin, etc.

What is laser liposuction

Laser liposuction differs from other types of liposuction; it employs a calibrated laser to break down fat deposits. During laser liposuction procedure the laser liquefies fat cells and after that the resulting liquid is removed by the surgeon via a small incision in the patient`s skin. The laser can also be used to seal blood capillaries, so as a result a patient experiences only minimum amounts of bleeding, bruising and swelling comparing to the traditional procedure.

Laser liposuction is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes about 1 to 3 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery. After laser liposuction the patient is sent home with specific pain medication prescriptions.

According to the resent research it has become known that after laser liposuction practically no fat is reabsorbed into the problem areas. In order to perform this procedure a patient needs only local anaesthesia unlike traditional liposuction, which calls for general anaesthesia.

Laser liposuction procedure

Usually during a laser liposuction procedure a tiny tube with a laser fiber (1-2 mm in diameter) is placed into the skin of a patient. After that the surgeon moves the tube to and fro to break down and liquefy fat cells underneath the skin. The final step of the procedure is drainage of the oily liquid with the help of special cannulas.

As the tubes are very small in size, the procedure is not very invasive and can take place under local anaesthetic. In addition to that, the laser coagulates adjacent blood vessels, minimizes bleeding, reduces side effects and speeds up recovery time.

Is laser liposuction suitable for you?

An ideal candidate for laser liposuction has good health, isn`t more than 25 lbs over his ideal weight, has some fat deposits that haven`t been changed by exercise and diet and has enough motivation to get rid of those deposits. At a consultation prior to the procedure a surgeon will assess your medical health and tell you exactly how laser liposuction can help you. Even if you are a good candidate for this procedure, you should have realistic expectations and remember that it is not possible to create an ideal body and make other people treat you in a different way. And don't foget about liposuction recovery.

Duration of laser liposuction recovery

Liposuction recovery normally varies between 2 days and 2 weeks. Liposuction recovery usually includes some numbness, swelling, bruising and redness. During the period of liposuction recovery the treated area may be sore for a couple of weeks. But usually the patient can return to normal activities within two days.

How to reduce swelling during the laser lipo recovery?

Laser lipo usually results in swelling. It may last up to several months obscuring the results of the surgery. For this reason, there are some tips that may help reduce this side effect. During the liposuction recovery it is very important to stay hydrated, maintaining a low-sodium diet. Light massage of the treated area may be of help – it will speed up circulation. Proper rest and gradual return to normal activities are also essential after a laser lipo.

Laser lipo recovery garments, also known as compression garments, help patients recover quickly and optimize the results of liposuction before and after. They are usually worn for approximately 3 to 6 weeks after the surgery, providing support for the treated areas, decreasing swelling and preventing blood clots. Besides, laser lipo recovery garments minimize the risk of skin looseness.

Liposuction before and after: how to reduce recovery period

Liposuction before and after depends largely on the patient’s general health, the type and amount of liposuction performed and the experience of the surgeon. There are several ways to make the liposuction recovery quicker. In case of leg liposuction it is very useful to start walking after the procedure as soon as possible. In order to reduce swelling and tone up muscles, proper compression garments should be worn. Manual lymphatic drainage is very important to help reduce edemas. Regular massage of the treated area will prevent fluid congestion. Redness and swelling will subside faster if the patient avoids sun exposure.

Liposuction cost

Liposuction cost may be very important. However, the surgeon’s skills and experience, and hence the quality of the procedure and its results are by far more important.

Choosing the lowest liposuction cost may prove very expensive. Among possible undesirable outcomes of a bad procedure are large ugly scars, and uneven, incomplete, or excessive liposuction.

Liposuction cost will vary depending on several factors:

• the surgeon’s experience and expertise;
• the surgeon’s geographic location;
• the number of body areas treated;
• the patient’s size;
• the difficulty of the procedure;
• the services of the anesthesiologist;
• the cost of the operating room;
• the cost of pre-operative laboratory tests;
• the cost of postoperative supplies;
• the liposuction recovery types.

Surgical fees vary based on the body area treated and the surgeon’s experience and range from $1,500 (lowest fee for arms, female back, and buttocks) to $7,500 (highest fee for abdomen and female breasts).

Liposuction cost broken down

Liposuction cost varies depending on the area you live in and is higher in the big cities and large clinics. Of course the amount of work that needs to be done and the area of the body chosen play its role in the liposuction before and after. The best way for the patient is to concentrate on the quality of the surgery and not on the liposuction cost.

Liposuction cost usually includes the fees of the surgeon and the clinic, anaesthesia and medications, some tests and garments. No matter what is the liposuction cost, the patient has to have realistic expectation and understand that the surgeon can`t work miracles.

Liposuction types

There are various liposuction types. The most popular techniques according to the mechanism of liposuction are:

• power-assisted liposuction (PAL);
• suction-assisted liposuction (SAL);
• twin-cannula liposuction (TCL);
• ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL);
• external ultrasound-assisted liposuction (XUAL);
• water-assisted liposuction (WAL).

Liposuction results

Liposuction results are mainly permanent and always apparent. After the procedure, the removed tissues do not grow back. If the patient doesn’t gain weight (grow new fat cells), results of the surgery remain permanent. If the patient does gain weight, their body shape remains the same, only growing in size.

The amount of fat that can be removed from the patient’s body is limited. Therefore, one shouldn’t expect huge results in terms of weight loss. However, as the fat is removed in aesthetically important parts, liposuction brings apparent changes to general appearance.

First of all, it is very important to have the procedure performed by a highly qualified professional and under excellent conditions in a good medical establishment. And, of course, one should speak to en experienced professional beforehand to discuss all pros and cons of the surgery. Generally, liposuction risks are believed to be low.

Here we will list some liposuction risks that each patient faces when choosing to have this procedure. We also encourage you to consult your personal doctor, if you have some doubts or concerns about liposuction risks.

Liposuction risks you should consider

Bad reaction to anaesthetic – happens very rarely, but there is still a small chance that a patient can be allergic.

Overdose of lidocaine – this anaesthetic drug is used during the procedure.

Damage to some internal organs – there is a small possibility that a surgeon may harm some internal organs close to the area from which fat cells are being removed.

Infections – some fluids designed to break down fat cells and numb the tissues are introduced into the problem area during the procedure and those fluids have the potential to start a bad infection.

Internal bleeding – a potential risk of a haemorrhage during the surgery.

Excessive layers of skin – after the removal of fat deposits you may face the problem of excessive stretched out skin.

Scarring and uneven skin – scars may develop at the places of the incisions.

Putting on weight – after the surgery some people do not change their lifestyle and may face the risk of becoming obese.

Side effects of liposuction

Side effects of liposuction include swelling, bruising, lumpy skin, discolorations and sagging, numbness of the area treated, fainting after the procedure and some others. General dissatisfaction, complaints and complications can be reduced by understanding liposuction risks and side effects and by not having unrealistic expectations. Before the surgery you should reveal your medical history to your cosmetic surgeon, so that he can warn you about potential liposuction recovery and different side effects you may experience.

If you want to avoid surgical procedures, complications, side effects and a long recovery, the best way is to consider some healthy less invasive liposuction alternatives. These techniques can be preferable, if general anaesthesia is undesirable, the skin is not elastic enough or there is a lot of cellulite.

Here we will provide you with some information about effective modern surgical and non-surgical liposuction alternatives, so that you will be able to compare them and decide which one is the best for you. Of course, surgical liposuction alternatives provide fast and drastic results, but non-surgical methods are much safer and healthier and don't need liposuction recovery. So it is absolutely up to you to opt for this or that method.

In any case make sure you consult your physician before choosing a surgery or any liposuction alternatives so that you are fully aware of the risks that may be involved.

Surgical liposuction alternatives

Laser liposuction – during this procedure the laser is used to break down excess layers of fat tissue. Laser liposuction requires only minor invasion and the recovery time is very short. In addition to that, this procedure improves skin tone and minimizes the reappearance of fat.

Lipodissolve liposuction – this method is similar to mesotherapy, as the fat is broken down by means of some drugs, which are injected into the problem areas and after that naturally eliminated from the body. Lipodissolve liposuction is safe, if you don`t have any allergies.

VASER liposuction – a relatively new method, approved in 2002. In the course of this procedure the fat cells are melted by means of ultrasonic sound waves and then drained from the body. The surrounding cells and tissues remain practically unaffected, so the procedure can be performed without any anaesthetic.

You may also be interested in: Lap band surgery, Tummy tuck

Non-surgical liposuction alternatives

Mesotherapy – a new homeopathic method based on injections of substances that dissolve fat. These substances include minerals, vitamins, and amino acids.

Seaweed wraps – one of the liposuction alternatives, which is not considered to be medical, however, it doesn`t cause stress to the body and is very popular today.

Clothes – the easiest way to hide some imperfections of our bodies and look better.

Diet and Exercise – one of the best non-surgical liposuction alternatives, which improves metabolism. However, it requires a lot of willpower and motivation; though, the results are definitely worth it!