Today, it seems that everybody is getting liposuction work done. Liposuction, or lipoplasty, has indeed been established as the predominant fat removal method in cosmetic surgery. However, patients and cosmetic doctors alike have expressed their concern about the safety of the procedure. Many critics of the conventional lipoplasty procedure point out that the operation may have adverse effects on the human body. Patients have experienced pain and discomfort during the recovery stage as the body tries to cope with the physical trauma of the surgery. There was also some concern about the use of general anesthesia in the operation. As in any medical operation, having the patient under anesthetics can prove to be a risk. In view of this, cosmetic doctors have worked towards improving the procedure. Over the past decades, lipoplasty surgery has become a lot safer and effective, thanks to the innovations created by different cosmetic surgeons. Variations of the lipoplasty procedure such as the new tickle lipo are now becoming vastly popular. What is Tickle Lipo? Custom acoustic liposuction, more popularly referred to as tickle lipo, is a cosmetic fat removal procedure that is aided by sound waves. Basically, lipoplasty works by extracting fat tissues from the body via suction. Although it has been proven to be effective, the patient’s body may experience trauma from such a method. To make it easier on the patient’s body, cosmetic doctors have found gentler ways to remove the fat tissues from the rest of the body mass. Such methods mainly involve the physical or chemical break-down of the fatty mass before suction is applied. Some variations of lipoplasty like...
Liposuction is good, in fact it is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the world, but it can always be better. We know that suction alone is not the best way to remove fat cells. The process wreaks havoc on the inside of the body and leaves the patient internally bloody and sore. Using the tumescent technique is better. The tumescent technique involves filling the tissues with fluid and anesthetic to make the procedure more comfortable and the suctioning less traumatic on tissues. Further enhancements include applying ultrasound from the outside, applying ultrasound from the inside, and even using lasers to “zap” unwanted fat cells. This first approach is not very effective and the last two approaches can leave burns inside the body. So how does water-jet assisted liposuction factor into all of this? German engineering Water-jet assisted liposuction was pioneered, developed, and marketed by a German company called human med AB. The water-assisted liposuction device is marketed under the brand name BodyJet and, thus far, is the only version of the device available. Their corporate website is a bit lean on details but the product site provides more of things that consumers would like to know such as, “Is water-jet assisted liposuction safe?” and “Is Body-Jet effective?” While the Body-Jet website is a nice place to start, to find out the real answer to these questions one must dig a little deeper. How water-assisted liposuction works In water-jet assisted liposuction, instead of using ultrasound energy or laser light, the liposuction cannula employs a thin, wedge-shaped jet of water to spray the fat cells. The approach is reminiscent...
Laser Assisted Liposuction In late 2006, the FDA approved a cosmetic surgery device by Cynosure, Inc that incorporated a laser into a liposuction device. This product is called SmartLipo and has swept the cosmetic surgery world over the past few years. The concept of SmartLipo is that a specific type of laser (Nd:YAG) at a specific wavelength of light (1064 nm) is used to zap fat cells. Some say the laser light energy breaks apart the cell membranes while others say the fat is simply vaporized on the spot. In truth it is most likely that a little of both takes place in a given session of laserlipolysis. The fat that is not vaporized is suctioned out with a modified liposuction cannula. SmartLipo and its claims Do we really need a new way to perform liposuction? If you have seen or experienced the skin laxity after traditional liposuction, proponents of laser assisted lipoplasty would say that laser energy is an integral part of fat removal surgery. The main reason that laserlipolysis is considered by many to be better than traditional liposuction is that the collagen within fatty tissue (the protein between the fat cells) is stimulated by the light energy. This stimulation causes the collagen and other extracellular proteins to contract and pull the skin closed after liposuction. The end result, the makers of SmartLipo devices claim, is better skin contraction through collagen contraction. But does the clinical science back this up? Size matters It turns out that several clinical studies of laser assisted lipoplasty have shown that lasers are effective in destroying fat. In fact, a few studies...
Liposuction has been the most prominent cosmetic procedure when it comes to removing unwanted body fat. Lately, alternatives such as the use of laser technology like Zerona has also gained some popularity for patients who wish to get rid of excess fatty tissues. These procedures involve the use of heat energy to melt away fat cells. Using focused heat energy makes a lot of sense since people naturally lose weight by ‘burning’ fat and calories through exercise. But now, a new technology called zeltiq cryolipolysis is defying common logic. Instead of melting away fat, this new method actually freezes away fat. What is zeltiq cryolipolysis? The technology used for cryolipolysis has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for cooling the skin, and for use in certain procedures due to its anesthetic effect. The technique is limited to these uses in the United States. Elsewhere in Europe and in some parts of Canada, however, zeltiq technology is now being used for fat removal. It was first developed by Dr. Rox Anderson and his team at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine. Dr. Anderson, a Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School, has been doing research on photomedicine which is a study that incorporates the use of light energy in conventional medicine. In the US, zeltiq is being clinically tested as a fat removal method before its commercial release. Internationally, cryolipolysis technology has gained the CE Mark of approval, guaranteeing the public that the product is up to par with EU consumer standards. How freezing fat works A significant change in body temperature actually causes the cells to react...
Liposuction, or lipoplasty, has been around for decades now, and it has held its place as one of the most effective cosmetic procedures for getting rid of excess fat. However, conventional lipoplasty techniques just seem too harsh on the body. The invasive nature of the surgery has led prospective patients to explore other cosmetic techniques such as using laser technology to melt away the fat. Conventional liposuction techniques just seem too harsh on the body. But, most of these alternative and semi-invasive procedures have a limited effect when it comes to removing large amounts of fat. These alternative procedures usually need to be performed repeatedly before the patient reaches his/her weight loss goal. Also, most of these operations were designed for toning and sculpting rather than heavy-duty fat removal. When it comes to fat removal, liposuction is still the predominant cosmetic procedure. Fortunately, advances in lipoplasty technology has generated variations of the procedure which are more gentle on the patient’s body. One such variation of the procedure is called body jet liposuction. The Body Jet Innovation In order to understand what a huge step forward body jet is, it is first necessary to illustrate how traditional liposuction works. Liposuction used to be done by disintegrating the fat cells. After breaking down the fat, it is then extracted with the use of a canulla (a tube-like tool) and an aspirator (an equipment used to provide suction). With body jet technology, the fat cells are not broken down. This new method of liposuction is done with the aid of water. Water is flushed through the area where fat is to be...
The last twenty years have shown a significant increase in the number of patients who have undergone lipoplasty on their lower extremities. Because of this, what was once thought of to be a procedure that is rich for possibilities of complications has been improved to a common treatment that produces satisfying results. Ankle liposuction can now improve the over-all appearance of a woman’s legs by making the ankles slimmer. What is Ankle Liposuction? People whose ankles have almost the same size as their calves are good candidates for ankle liposuction. This procedure give better definition to the legs by making the circumference of the ankles smaller than the rest of the legs. Excess fat are removed to give the legs a more shapely appearance. As easy as the general concept may be, ankle liposuction has proven to be one of the most complex cosmetic surgery procedures. Unlike the rest of the body, the ankles and the legs lack deep compartments where fat cells may be stored. Instead, the fat is positioned, if not attached, to the bones and the tissues. This makes removing it so much harder then the usual liposuction procedure. Any unnecessary effect on the muscles and bones can lead to different medical problems. Damage to the sensitive nerves and veins can also bring about negative long-term effects. If done by an untrained doctor, patients stand the chance of completely losing his ability to walk. That is why it’s extremely important to check your surgeons credentials and certification before undergoing any kind of cosmetic operation. Don’t go through the procedure if the risks involved far outweigh the...
A lot of people are looking to shed their fat – permanently. While the best way to achieve this is to get healthy with good old-fashioned exercise and proper diet, it always is an uphill battle. So, over the years, some convenient cosmetic fixes have been developed to help people with their struggle against weight, and their fight for a better life. So far, liposuction seems to be the predominant surgical procedure for permanently removing fat. Many people have risked going under the knife in the name of weight loss, however, while numerous patients have successfully lost fat through this procedure, the risks of surgery still remain, as well as the fact that all liposuction patients go through a lengthy period of recovery. Now, however, doctors have come up with an alternative to liposuction – Lipodissolve. Lipodissolve, mesotherapy—or lypolysis—is a cosmetic procedure that literally melts fat away through the use of injected chemicals. How it works This procedure involves a series of micro-injections targeted at specific fatty areas (for example: thighs, hips, upper and lower abdomen, waist, double chin, cheeks, etc.). A concoction of chemicals that basically consists of phosphatidycholine and deoxycholate is injected into the fat. Phosphatidycholine is a chemical found naturally in, and extracted from, soy, while deoxycholate is a bile acid that has a metabolic property. These two chemicals are used in lipodissolve to break down body fat into more soluble states, thus affecting the removal of fat from the body. Lipodissolve is intended to remove small amounts of fat at a time from targeted areas. It takes about 2-4 sessions of the treatment to remove...
Despite society’s acceptance of the different cosmetic procedures available, there are still reasons why most people choose not to go under the knife. The biggest reason would have to be the individual’s innate fear of blood and pain. People are usually afraid that surgical cosmetic procedures will be the cause of more discomfort than they can handle. Because of this, they would rather stick to the traditional exercise and diet route, even if it takes more time and energy. What Is Laser Lipo Laser Lipo, sometimes referred to as Smart Lipo, is the newest method in the body contouring field. It uses the latest laser technology to melt the fat in any part of the body and to tighten the skin around the area. It is a non invasive body slimming treatment that is both harmless and painless. Anybody who wants to lose fat fast can undergo the laser lipo treatment. It is especially effective in removing localized fat from any part of the body. The treatment can help patients lose as much as 3,500 milliliters of fat in one sitting. However, people with diabetes, kidney problems, and blood disorders are advised against undergoing this treatment; because the treatment follows a complicated process, people with these ailments may experience different undesirable side effects. The procedure may actually do them more harm than good. If you find that you are a qualified candidate for Smart Lipo, don’t forget to consult your cosmetic specialist to find which areas you need to target. The length and the amount of treatment will also depend on how much help you need. How the Laser...
Cryolipolysis is performed by a plastic surgeon, dermatologist or other physician in the office setting. No anesthesia or sedation is required for the cryolipolysis procedure because it is non invasive and relatively painless. A small area of fat tissue is gently drawn into a suction cup, of sorts. The cryolipolysis device applies cold (which is really removing heat from the tissue) to the treated area for a period of several minutes. The cryolipolysis device is then moved to each treatment area sequentially. Since there are no incisions, anesthesia or sedation, patients can resume normal daily activities immediately after cryolipolysis. Who is eligible for cryolipolysis? The technology is fairly new but appears to be quite safe in limited laboratory and clinical studies. It does seem that the best results are achieved by patients that are already fit and in good health. Also, cryolipolysis is better suited to treating small target areas like “love handles” rather than large areas of fat like the entire lower abdomen. Are there side effects from cryolipolysis? Patients that have been treated by this skin cooling device do report redness over the treated area which goes away after a few hours. The suction may cause minor bruising over the treated area. Also, since the application of cold also slows down the cellular processes of nerves and nerve endings, patients may experience some temporary numbness and tingling in the skin over the treated fat layers. The science behind cryolipolysis The term cryolipolysis can be divided into cryo- which is cold or freezing, lipo, which means fat and the suffix –lysis, which means to break apart. Therefore when...
The main problem with traditional liposuction is that it is a fairly barbaric procedure. It takes place beneath the surface of the skin so you don’t get to see the damage, but anyone that has had this form of liposuction knows the soreness and bruising that follow traditional liposuction. There is a milder form of liposuction that is as effective and potentially kinder to the body. What is VASER Liposuction? VASER is an acronym that stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance. Essentially VASER liposuction combines ultrasound energy and a gentle form of suction to liquefy and remove pockets of fat from the body. The ultrasound energy is sound outside the range of human hearing, but it is also a way to deliver thousands of small, powerful energy waves. These ultrasonic waves strike the cell membranes of fat cells and break them open. The broken fat cell membranes release their contents, specifically oily, liquefied fat. VASER Liposuction Procedure Once the fat is liquefied by ultrasound energy, VASER liposuction employs a patented suction device called VentX. In contrast to traditional liposuction which avulses (rips) the fat cells out in chunks, the VentX aspiration system just removes emulsified fluids. The intact cells, blood vessels, muscle, and connective tissues are not disrupted by the VentX suction. Therefore there is less bruising and soreness after VASER liposuction than with other forms of liposuction. Still having trouble visualizing VASER liposuction? Consider eating a bowl of gelatin (like Jell-O) through a straw. Sure you could suck up most of the gelatin with the straw if you applied enough suction, but it would be...
