Liposuction ~ Laser Lipolysis Surgery

*LIPOSUCTION*

The concept of liposuction is simple. Liposuction is a surgical technique that improves the body's contour by removing excess fat from deposits located between the skin and muscle. Liposuction involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula (from the Latin word for reed, tube, cane). The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers. After surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour.

There are many factors that contribute to a person's weight gain, including lack of proper diet and exercise, genetics and lifestyle. In many cases, some weight gain can be controlled with proper diet and exercise. However, for a significant part of the population, no amount of dieting or exercise will be able to remove excess fatty deposits in the typical 'trouble' areas, such as:

• Thighs
• Stomach / waist
• Upper arms
• Back / flanks
• Knees
• Hips and buttocks
• Cheeks, chin and neck
• Chest area

Those for whom diet and exercise is not enough, liposuction may be the solution for slimming and reshaping these 'trouble' areas. Liposuction targets specific areas of the body by removing excess body fat, leaving the treated areas smoother, suppler and in proportion to the rest of your body. Liposuction is not intended for those who are looking to loose massive amounts of weight, but when liposuction is performed in conjunction with other procedures, such as the abdominoplasty or tummy tuck the combination can be very effective. Depending on your individual circumstances, your doctor will suggest either intravenous or general anesthesia. Most incisions from liposuction are so small that once they fade with time, most scars are so inconspicuous that they are virtually unnoticeable.

*LASER LIPOLYSIS*

Laser lipolysis, commonly known as ‘laser lipo’, is a non-invasive liposculpture procedure for the removal of stubborn pockets of fat such as saddlebags, love handles and double chins. It can effectively reduce areas of fat resistant to diet or exercise with fewer side effects than traditional procedures such as liposuction. The procedure uses a laser to effectively melt unwanted fat on the face and body and then either allows to body to metabolise the melted fat or uses ‘aspiration’, a form of suction that allows your doctor to remove greater quantities of fat.

Although it has been touted as a lunchtime treatment, laser lipolysis is classified as a minor surgical procedure as the surgeon will need to make a small incision and the area being treated will be numbed with local anaesthetic. Because you are awake throughout the procedure, there are fewer risks involved than with traditional liposuction, which is often done under general anaesthetic. Laser lipolysis is not a weight loss treatment and is not suited to people who are significantly overweight, it is better for those with small localised areas of stubborn fat. The results give rise to a more harmonious body shape in a short time, without the bruising and swelling of more aggressive procedures.


During Treatment
A local anaesthesic will be used in the treatment area, then a small incision will be made in the skin. A very thin cannula (1mm wide hollow metal tube) is inserted into the skin and a laser probe is threaded through to pulse laser light into the fatty tissue to ‘melt’ the fat cells. These melted fat cells are then naturally eliminated by the body. Increasingly, practitioners are also offering suction of the released fat after the laser lipolysis procedure to speed up and enhance the results. The procedure takes between 1-2 hours.




Recovery
You may be required to rest for an hour or so following treatment but normal activities can usually be resumed the following day. It is best to avoid vigorous physical activity for 1-2 weeks after this procedure.