Shape and sculpt areas of fat that just won’t seem to go away. Remove unflattering bulges and improve cellulite around the tummy, thighs, back, chin, knees, arms, neck, breasts and those stubborn love handles. Be careful not to mistaken loose skin from weight loss or aging with an abundance of fat.
All the above names refer to the exact same procedure, which uses a metal or plastic cannula inserted under the skin to remove fat cells under vacuum suction power.
Wet – Combines Saline salt solution, Adrenaline and local anesthetic which is injected into the fatty areas to lessen bleeding during Liposuction.
Tumescent – Combines Saline salt solution, Adrenaline and local anesthetic in large amounts which are injected into the fatty areas to lessen bleeding during Liposuction.
Ultrasonic – Ultrasonic energy is used to liquefy the fat before it is removed.
Internal – The Ultrasonic energy is delivered directly to the fat via a long thin (1/4 inch diameter) rod that emits ultrasonic waves (Internal). This rod is inserted into your fat through a small incision. The liquefied fat is then suctioned out.
External – Ultrasonic energy is passed from the outside through the skin instead of under the skin. The effects of the energy are lessened when passed through the skin.
I like the WET TECHNIQUE because I find it gives the correct amount of hemostasis (constriction of blood vessels) without the effects of distorting the area I wish to Liposuction. Because the Tumescent technique swells the tissue with large amounts of injected fluid, for me this makes it more difficult to judge how much fat I am removing with Liposuction. It also adds the risk of the body absorbing too much of this fluid into the cellular system and getting a condition called “Fluid Overload”.
Smart Lipo, LipoZap, EZ Lipo, Laser Lipolysis all the above terms referred to the exact same procedure which involves using a Laser during Liposuction. The procedure works by inserting a small cannula (tube) containing a laser fiber under the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth delivering the laser’s energy directly to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and drain away. The laser energy may result in some skin shrinkage.
Burn damage to the skin, similar to that of the Ultrasound Liposuction technique from the heat of the Laser.
Traditional Liposuction must still be used when Laser Liposuction is performed.
Lastly, Smart Lipo, LipoZap, EZ Lipo, and Laser Lipolysis all use a Laser which causes a lot of problems and is why I don’t like this technique. Because the Laser melts fat by using heat, the fat can be melted too much in one spot leading to lumps after healing. Also, the Laser must not be directed too close to the skin so the heat from the Laser doesn’t leave a skin burn.
Lipodissolve, LipoZap, Fatdissolve, Mesotherapy, Mesosculpturing, Lipotherapy, Lipostabil, Flab – Jab: All these terms refer to the same procedure which uses Phosphatidylcholine based injections to dissolve the fat. Over several sessions, the solution is injected into the prominent fatty areas and into different depths fat under the skin. Some mild swelling and irritation results and the fat continues to dissolve over a few months. Final results may take several months to realize.
Injecting any dissolving solution risks uncontrolled results. In other words, the solution may dissolve more fat than wanted or less in another area resulting in unevenness and dimpling of the skin.
Having dealt with fat injections, fat transfers and other Plastic Surgery procedures involving fat, I know that Fat Necrosis is an important risk. Fat necrosis is the destruction of fat, without all the fat being removed. This can leave hard lumps in the area, that may get worse over time.
The FDA has not approved this solution for use.
New York, NY (May 14, 2007) – The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) released today a warning against the use of injection fat loss treatments. Patients are advised to avoid these procedures, which are commonly known as lipolysis, mesotherapy, or the brand names Lipodissolve and Lipostabil. Although marketed as fat loss treatments, these procedures are scientifically unproven, lacking any objective data on safety and efficacy. In addition, none of these procedures have received FDA approval, with the ingredients poorly defined. The procedures may also be offered by persons without sufficient medical training, thereby putting patients at risk of harm.
Don’t undergo large volume liposuction – defined as greater than 5000cc of removal in an office based setting.
Don’t inject the fat into the breast for enlargement since most of the fat dies and creates lumps that will be difficult to distinguish from a real breast cancer mass.
Don’t have fat removed from the cheeks (unless absolutely necessary) because it will cause a skeleton like look to your face as you age.
What Happens to the Skin and Fat after Liposuction?
Certain areas of the body tighten the skin more than other areas.
I still like the Traditional Liposuction, it gives excellent and consistent results without the worry of burning and creating scars to the skin from the heat, such as when using Laser Liposuction or the Ultrasonic technique.
For Liposuction and Lipoplasty from Dr. Costanzo of Thousand Oaks Call (805) 373-9919.