What is Laser Liposuction?
 When trying to lose weight, many people experience one or more areas on the body where they cannot seem to get rid of fat, despite their best efforts. Frustrated by their lack of success, many people turn to cosmetic surgery to achieve their physical goals and attain the body image they desire.
Laser lipolysis is an advanced, FDA-approved cosmetic procedure used to remove localized areas of fat from the body and tighten skin the area as well. This procedure is designed specifically for the localized areas of fat that are resistant to traditional diet and exercise.
There are several different types of laser lipolysis procedures such as Lipotherme™, SmartLipo®, SlimLipo®, and SmoothLipo® currently available, each offering patients effective results through a minimally invasive procedure. These procedures are based on the conventional liposuction procedure, which suctions unwanted areas of fat out from the body through small tubes called cannulas.
While effective, liposuction is considered a major invasive procedure and requires a lengthy recovery time. As technology progresses, new techniques have become available over time, including tumescent liposuction and, most recently, laser lipolysis. These procedures provide comparable, if not better, results than the traditional liposuction while minimizing the risks, downtime and scarring of the original procedure.
How does laser lipolysis work?
The laser lipolysis procedure whether it is called Lipotherme™, SmartLipo®, SlimLipo®, or SmoothLipo® uses the same basic principles of the conventional liposuction procedure, but utilizes laser technology as well. The laser energy heats the fat cells, causing them to liquefy and be more easily removed from the body through the cannula, which significantly reduces the trauma of the procedure. The laser also targets the skin in the treated area, causing it to tighten and conform to the new contour of the body. Traditional liposuction often leaves skin in the treated area loose and hanging since it was previously stretched out from the excess fat.
Laser lipolysis is performed under local anesthesia and is usually tolerable for most patients. The procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours to perform, depending on the size of the area being treated and the amount of fat being removed. Since the incision is so small, no sutures are needed and scarring is minimal, sometimes not visible at all. Patients can return home shortly after their procedure.
What are the benefits of laser liposuction?
Laser lipolysis offers patients many benefits over the traditional liposuction procedure. Some of these benefits include:
- Less trauma
- Shorter procedure time
- Less scarring
- Less downtime
- Effective fat removal with skin tightening as well
- Fewer risks and complications
Laser lipolysis can be performed as an alternative to regular liposuction or in conjunction in order to help patients achieve maximum results in just one treatment session. After treatment, patients can enjoy significant circumferential reduction and skin tightening in the treated area. Some of the most common areas treated with laser lipolysis include the waist, abdomen, back, hips, buttocks, knees, ankles, face, neck and more.
What is the recovery like from laser lipolysis?
After the laser lipolysis procedure, patients can often return to work and other regular activities the very next day. The results of the procedure can sometimes be visible right away, and will continue to improve for several months as the area heals. Like liposuction, laser lipolysis results are considered permanent unless the patient gains a significant amount of weight after treatment.
Is laser liposuction considered safe?
Laser lipolysis is considered safe for most patients with no risk of any serious or long-term complications. There is also a lower risk of side effects such as bruising, bleeding and swelling than with conventional liposuction because of the minimally invasive nature of this procedure.
Women who are pregnant or patients taking certain medications should not undergo this procedure. Your doctor will help you decide whether or not this procedure is right for you after a thorough evaluation of your condition.
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