Safety of Laser Liposuction

Through experience and testing, surgeons have demonstrated the safety of laser lipo

Liposuction was introduced in the United States in the early 1980s and is now one of the most popular elective procedures. There are several different types of liposuction. The tumescent method, used in laser liposuction, is recognized as the safest method of liposuction by experts around the globe.

Limited Blood Loss with Laser Liposuction

Traditional liposuction uses no special methods to constrict blood vessels, and blood loss is often a problem, making blood transfusions all but routine for traditional liposuction patients.

Laser lipo has proven to be extremely safe and to produce fewer side effects than traditional liposuction. During laser lipo surgery, your surgeon injects a tumescent fluid into the treatment area. This fluid contains a local anesthetic and dilute epinephrine. The diluted epinephrine constricts the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) in the treatment area. This capillary constriction helps the patient in two ways: (1) it slows the absorption of the epinephrine, reducing its action as a stimulant, and (2) it makes the surgery virtually bloodless.

Small Incisions with Laser Liposuction

Laser lipo surgeons use a small instrument called a cannula, that is about the size of a cooked piece of spaghetti, to perform the liposuction surgery. This instrument, combined with the self-healing properties of the laser, produce smaller incisions that heal faster than the larger incisions made with other forms of liposuction. The result is that laser liposuction patients have a lower incidence of infection. An added bonus is that the smaller incisions on the laser lipo patients look more natural in the weeks after liposuction surgery.

Local Anesthetics with Laser Liposuction

Another advantage that laser liposuction patients have over traditional liposuction patients is the use of local anesthetics during the liposuction surgery. Local anesthetics are safer than the general anesthetics used in traditional liposuction. Local anesthetics offer a very low risk of anesthesia complications; they give the patient the ability to communicate with the laser lipo doctor during the procedure (further lowering risks); and they allow the patient to walk out of the doctor's office within an average of two to three hours.

Laser Liposuction Side Effects & Risks

The most common side effects of laser liposuction are mild bruising and swelling, which resides in one to two weeks for most patients. Patients are given compression garments to wear after surgery to alleviate the symptoms. Patients also have scars at the cannula incision sites. These scars are small and typically resemble blemishes or moles after a few weeks of healing, though results vary.

Laser lipo is extremely safe, and fewer than 1% of patients have moderate or serious complications; however, as with any surgery, there are risks. Laser liposuction risks include the following:

  • Bruising
  • Swelling
  • Scarring
  • Numbness
  • Discomfort
  • Skin irregularities
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Allergic reaction
  • Excessive fluid loss
  • Fat or blood clots
  • Nerve damage
  • Organ damage

While the majority of these laser liposuction complications are rare, they can occur. However, there are fewer risks of liposuction for laser lipo patients, who have less bleeding, swelling, and bruising than traditional liposuction patients and thus enjoy faster liposuction recovery.

Reference List

Katz B, McBean J. Laser-assisted lipolysis: A report on complications. Journal of Cosmetic & Laser Therapy [serial online]. December 2008;10(4):231-233. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 1, 2009.

Katz B, McBean J. The new laser liposuction for men. Dermatologic Therapy [serial online]. November 2007;20(6):448-451. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 1, 2009.

Kim K, Geronemus R. Laser Lipolysis Using a Novel 1,064 nm Nd:YAG Laser. Dermatologic Surgery [serial online]. February 2006;32(2):241-247. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 1, 2009.

Patient Satisfaction With Outpatient Liposuction is Very High, New AAAHC Report Finds. SURGistrategies: Solutions for Outpatient Healthcare Web site. http://www.surgistrategies.com/hotnews/66h131126529019.html. Published June 13, 2006. Accessed April 1, 2009.

Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg; Latest Laser Fat Removal Procedure Now Available. Biotech Business Week. July 28, 2008;1704.