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Trimming the fat: When lipo works … and when it doesn't
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Source: Liposuction – Google News
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Abdominal liposuction is one of the most common liposuctions performed. Men and women undergo the procedure in order to eliminate the excess fat in their abdominal areas.
Often not even regular exercise or a strict diet can effectively shed fat in the abdomen. Abdominal fat is highly resistant to exercise so you may try different abdominal exercises to remove the flab but with little success. In addition, many people are genetically disposed to accumulating fat in the abdomen area. This is where abdominal liposuction can help.
When you consult with your surgeon about abdominal liposuction, discuss with him the goals and changes you would like to achieve to enhance your appearance. Your surgeon will explain how abdominal liposuction works and what are the potential risks involved.
He or she will inform you of several available options as well. This is the best time to ask your surgeon what you need to know about abdominal liposuction. You can ask to see before and after treatment photos of recent patients.
Your surgeon will also have to assess your weight, skin, muscle and fat distribution. He or she will have to determine your medical history including your diet and exercise. Let your surgeon know if you are taking any kind of medication.
Abdominal Liposuction Procedure
Depending on what your surgery requires, your surgeon will give you either a local anesthesia or a general anesthesia before starting the surgery. If you will be under local anesthesia, the surgeon may give you sedatives to help you settle down.
After marking the specific areas in your abdomen where fat is to be removed, the surgeon will then make a small incision into which a thin elastic tube known as the cannula will be inserted. The surgeon uses the cannula, which is connected to a suction, to dissolve the fat and extract it from the body without harming the tissues, nerves, muscles, and skin.
There are several techniques to the abdominal liposuction procedure. In super-wet abdominal liposuction and tumescent abdominal liposuction, the surgeon first injects a solution into the target area prior to actual surgery. This solution not only makes fat easier to remove but also minimizes blood loss and post-surgery side effects such as swelling.
Another method in abdominal liposuction is called the ultrasound-assisted liposuction, which utilizes sound waves to break down fat. This method also reduces the loss of blood during the surgery and post-surgery bruising. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction is especially effective to treat fibrous parts of the body, for instance the male breast and the upper area of the abdomen.
Your surgeon will recommend the method of abdominal liposuction for you based on the specific area where fat is to be removed and the volume of fat to be eliminated.
Most patients are able to notice results as early as one week after having their abdominal liposuction. However, it may take up to six months to see complete improvements.
While abdominal liposuction is an effective way to lose unwanted fat, you must continue to eat right and exercise regularly to maintain and enhance its result.
You are very lucky if you have waited until now to consider having liposuction, or liposculpture body contouring. The new laser liposuction techniques are a vast improvement over traditional methods. The new laser technology melts fat and tightens skin resulting in a much gentler liposculpture procedure and minimal loose hanging skin after liposuction.
Whether you have a double chin, tummy fat after childbirth, saddle bags, spare tire, or just little problem areas around the hips or thighs, the new laser assisted liposculpture and laser body contouring techniques may be what you are looking for.
Not all of the machines in use are the same. Some laser wavelengths, such as the 924nm and 924/975nm work much better than others. You need to understand which technology is best if you are considering laser liposuction.
Liposuction is the most commonly performed plastic surgery operation.
Problems Associated with Traditional Liposuction-Traditional liposuction is done by inserting a metal tube called a cannula beneath the skin into fat containing areas of the body. High pressure suction is applied and fat is suctioned out from under the skin. While the procedure works well, it is traumatic as the suction pulls out not only fat but also some of the connective tissue which holds the skin tight to the body. There are several problems which can occur after liposuction:
• Loose Skin After Liposuction
• Contour Deformities-Skin Irregularities
• Prolonged Bruising
• Difficult and Painful Recovery
How Laser Liposuction Works-During laser assisted liposuction, a very small laser fiber is inserted beneath the skin. Heat from the laser melts the fat into a thin liquid. The liquid fat is then more easily removed with very small cannulas usually only2-3 millimeters in diameter. The heat form the laser also tightens the skin, and closes many blood vessels, thus less bleeding.
Advantages of Laser Liposuction
• Skin Tightening!!!!!!!
• Liquefaction of Fat = Fewer Contour Deformities
• Uniform Skin Appearance after Liposuction
• Smaller Cannulae = Tiny Incision
• Much Less Traumatic
• Can Contour Visible Areas in Thinner Patients
• Excellent for Touch Ups after standard Liposuction
Which Laser is best for Liposuction?
There are several different machines available using several different laser wavelengths-the 924nm, combined 924/975nm, the 1064nm, and the 1308nm are the most popular.
I prefer the 924nm and combination 924/975nm laser because the 924nm is very selectively absorbed by fat tissue. The 924nm liquefies 3 times as much fat as some of the other wavelengths and is also more strongly absorbed by blood vessels, which helps reduce bleeding and bruising.
The 924nm and combined 924/975nm laser is used by the SlimLipo™ laser liposuction machine made by Palomar Medical™.
Are You A Candidate for Laser Liposuction?
If you are healthy, do not smoke, and have extra fat beneath your chin, around your tummy, on your hips, thighs, arms or knees, and are relatively fit and not obese, then you are likely an excellent candidate for laser liposuction. The younger you are the better your skin tightening will be after laser liposuction. I have, however, seen good skin tightening after laser liposuction in a 70 year old person-see photo below:
If you are obese and significantly over weight, you should lose weight first before liposuction.
For more information about laser liposuction with SlimLipo™ call 978-369-4499 or contact us by email.
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Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts