Traditional Liposuction vs. Laser Lipo

Compare today's state-of-the-art laser liposuction with the old technology of traditional liposuction

It is well documented that laser-assisted lipolysis, commonly known as laser liposuction or laser lipo, is safer and produces more beautiful results with fewer complications than traditional liposuction. When compared to patients who undergo traditional liposuction, laser liposuction patients experience faster recovery times and report a more gentle procedure. There is little or no scarring with laser lipo, and most patients experience smooth and even skin after surgery, compared to skin often being saggy and loose after traditional liposuction.

Differences in Anesthesia

Traditional liposuction surgery requires general anesthesia, which increases the risk of postoperative complications, including death in up to 1 in 100,000 patients.

Laser lipo patients receive local local anesthesia (numbing). Laser liposuction patients are awake and alert during their laser surgery and can communicate with their doctors, describing any discomfort or unusual sensations.

Being awake for the procedure provides a triple benefit:

• low risk of anesthesia complications
• ability to communicate with your laser lipo doctor during the procedure (further lowering risks)
• ability to walk out of the physician's office within two to three hours on average

Skin After Surgery

With traditional liposuction surgery, a metal rod is inserted into the body and the surgeon pushes and pulls the device across and around the fatty areas of the patient to break up the fatty tissue. The cells are then suctioned out of the body as solid matter, sometimes leaving dimple-like pockets where the tissue was removed. Many traditional liposuction patients develop large amounts of loose, sagging skin over the extracted fatty tissue. This excess skin can be physically restrictive, lead to chronic infections, and cause health-related issues. Further surgery, such as a tummy tuck, is often required to treat the sagging skin and alleviate the associated problems. Scars from the surgical incisions remain visible after surgery.

With laser lipo, a small instrument called a cannula, which is about the size of a piece of a cooked piece of spaghetti, is gently inserted, usually in no more than one or two locations per area. The instrument is so small that the incisions are usually barely noticeable after a few weeks, often appearing like a freckle or blemish. The laser melts the fat, and the fatty tissue is removed from the body in liquid form, leaving no dimples. Additionally, the thermal properties of the laser promote skin tightening, making laser lipo a true body sculpting technique.

Bruising, Bleeding, and Infection

Traditional liposuction requires a larger surgical instrument than laser lipo, and the surgical technique used to break up the fatty tissue is more aggressive causing significant and deep bruising. Bleeding is also a risk factor with traditional liposuction, and heavy bleeding can occur if a blood vessel is damaged during the pushing and pulling of the metal rod.

Laser liposuction is a much gentler procedure, which involves the doctor making small funnels through tiny incisions. Infection is less likely to occur with laser liposuction surgery than it is with traditional liposuction surgery because of the smaller incisions and greatly reduced risk of tissue damage.

Example of laser Liposculpture entry site incisions and cannula funnels

Recovery

Traditional liposuction patients are often in a hospital setting; they receive general anesthesia, must remain in a recovery room until fully awake and ambulatory, and they sometimes require an overnight stay. Traditional liposuction patients commonly require a friend or relative present to assist them for several days after surgery. They cannot return to work or other normal activities for one or more weeks.

Laser liposuction recovery varies from patient to patient, but most patients who experience laser lipo are back at work and back into their normal routines much faster than patients who undergo traditional liposuction. In fact, a majority of patients return to work and other normal activities in one to two days.

Summary

Laser liposuction not only provides a more gentle and less painful experience for the patient, it has also been proven to be a safer procedure than traditional liposuction, with patients experiencing a lowered incidence of bleeding, clotting, and other serious complications. Patients are generally more satisfied with the results of laser liposuction because of the skin tightness and smoothness. While no procedure can guarantee results or satisfaction, the vast majority of laser liposuction patients see results in three to six months.

References

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "American Society of Plastic Surgeons announced its latest developments." Life Science Weekly. 14 Aug 2007. 5460. eLibrary. Proquest CSA. University of Houston. 24 Mar 2009.

Doheny, Kathleen. "Laser liposuction may speed process, cause less pain." Los Angeles Times. 111 (July 28, 1992): E4. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. University of Houston. 24 Mar. 2009

Dhami, Lakshyajit. "Liposuction.(Article)(Technical report)." Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery 41.3 (Oct 2008): 27. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. University of Houston. 24 Mar. 2009