Laser Guided Liposuction

Laser Guided Liposuction is a type of body contouring surgery that uses laser energy in a significant portion of the process. Typically, this can be performed under local anesthesia, although the surgeon may elect for other types of anesthesia depending upon the extent of the case. As in other types of liposuction, a tumescent fluid is placed under the skin to anesthetize the area.

There are basically 3 steps to the process.

* The laser is used in the deep fat to break up the fat cell walls allowing the fatty oils to leak out, and disrupt the cells for subsequent removal. This deep layer also contains small blood vessels which the laser coagulates leading to less bruising post operatively.
* The laser is then used in the superficial layer, just under the skin to heat the skin cells in order to stimulate them to produce more collagen and elastin thereby enhancing the skin quality in the post treatment period.
* The final step is the removal of the cell fragments and oils and thus the final reduction in contour.

Am I A Good Candidate for Laser Liposuction?
Good candidates for Laser Guided Liposuction have excess fat in mild to moderate amounts, and may also have mild to moderate skin laxity. Skin starts loosing collagen and elastin from about age 35. Resultant skin laxity may not be conducive to liposuction alone. Other candidates may have superficial problems in the skin such as cellulite, dimpling, scarring from previous surgeries…all of which may be improved by this technique. Areas which can be treated are as follows:

* Abdomen
* Thighs
* Knees
* Arms
* Neck
* Face
* Male Breast Excess
* Back rolls

Although, Laser Guided Liposuction can treat these conditions and locations, it is ultimately the physicians choice as to if another type of liposuction would be more appropriate for a particular patient due to volume of fat, number of areas, or nature of the problem.

Results of Your Laser Liposuction
There are 2 aspects of improvement being observed after the procedure: reduction of fat and improvement in skin tightness. The tissue will appear smaller from the removal of fat fairly early. There will not be much visible change in the skin in the first month. This change, relying on the new production of collagen and elastin after laser guided liposuction, will start to increase in the second month and continue to improve for many months afterward.

Laser Liposuction Benefits/Advantages/ Options
The benefits of Laser Guided Liposuction are secondary to the small nature of the fiber (600 microns or less than 1 millimeter). This can reduce the trauma to the tissue during the laser guided liposuction procedure while still being able to get into superficial areas just under the skin. This enables such conditions as cellulite and skin dimpling to be effected. The advantages are:

* Small scars
* Possible reduced bruising
* Possible local anesthesia
* ability to improve superficial skin irregularities
* Skin Quality Enhancement
* Fat reduction
* Etching of abdominal contour



There are options to using Laser Guided Liposuction. These include:

* Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)
* Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
* Tummy Tuck
* Neck or Face lift
* Fat injection into superficial contour problem areas
* Diet and Exercise

Laser Liposuction Risks / Complications / Patient Safety
Any surgical procedure is not without risk. The risks of Laser Guided Liposuction is similar to those of liposuction, namely,

* Contour irregularities
* Fluid collection (seroma)
* Infection
* Inadequate removal of fat
* Continued skin laxity
* Need for further surgery
* Blisters, burns
* Scarring

It is the latter 2 complications that can be associated with Laser Guided Liposuction more specifically since it used an energy source. This risk should be minimized by the surgeon constantly monitoring skin surface temperature to prevent the excessive rise in temperature. Much research has been done in Laser Guided Liposuction to elucidate the skin temperature tolerances and limits, yet while able to create the stimulation that is necessary for skin tightening.

Laser Liposuction Recovery Process
Due to the extensive nature of this process in many layers of the tissue, there will be skin swelling. A compression garment is used afterLaser Guided Liposuction to reduce such swelling. Also helpful is massage and other specific technologies that are used afterwards.

Normal activity can be resumed after 1-2 days. There may or may not be any stitches to be removed. Strenuous activity and sports are reserved for after 3 to 4 weeks after the Laser Guided Liposuction. After this time, wearing a garment is optional and the skin stimulation will be more evident over the next several months.


Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Liposuction

Do I need blood work?
Since this is a surgical procedure, pre-operative testing is often required in laser guided liposuction.

What type of Physician can perform Laser Guided Liposuction?
It is highly recommended that a surgeon with special expertise in liposuction techniques and their alternatives perform laser guided liposuction. Although a laser is used, it still is a surgical procedure requiring a high level of expertise such as a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.

Can Laser Liposuction be done in the Office?
Yes, it can be performed in a physician’s office, but in a specialty room set up for surgical procedures and NOT an exam room. There should be proper monitoring equipment of vital functions and the procedure should e performed sterilely.

What is the most common reason to NOT be considered a good candidate for Laser Liposuction?
Either there is too much fat to be removed or there are too many areas to be done at once. This problem can be overcome by splitting it up into 2 sessions or more if necessary.

Will Laser Liposuction Be Painful?
If local anesthesia is elected, there will be some discomfort while the numbing fluid is being placed. This process is fairly short, usually 5-10 minutes. Oral analgesics are taken prior to this part of the procedure to maximize comfort. Under sedation or general anesthesia, not much is felt during the procedure.

Afterwards, there is soreness in the treated areas lasting days to weeks depending upon the extent of the Laser Guided Liposuction and the number of sites treated. As swelling subsides, comfort resumes.

Will there be Scarring from Laser Liposuction?
There are two types of scarring to be considered in Laser Guided Liposuction. The actual incisions that are made and any scar tissue that forms under the skin form the process itself. Fortunately, due the extremely small nature of the canula ( the tube placed under the skin) and the laser fiber, surface incisions are among the smallest of any type of liposuction. Also, for the same reasons, there should be minimal disruption under the skin to cause significant scarring there as well.

What Are Some of The Typical Short Term Side Effects of Laser Liposuction?
Short term side effects of Laser Guided Liposuction include swelling confined to the superficial layer of the skin. This can last up to approximately one month. Also, there can be a delay in the ability to see an improvement in skin laxity, since the process does not tighten the skin immediately as some lasers do, but rather Laser Liposuction works through a process of stimulation of the fibroblast cells in the skin to over time manufacture more collagen and elastin which makes the skin plump and tight respectively.

Laser Liposuction Standard Procedure Techniques / Technology
There are basically 2 techniques of Laser Guided Liposuction. One technique is as described above with 3 steps: laser of the deep and superficial layers, followed by removal of fat, oils and cellular debris. The other technique of laser guided liposuction utilizes only the first 2 steps and allows the body to absorb the aforementioned components…this technique of laser guided liposuction is usually reserved for areas of very thin fat such as the face and neck or where skin tightening alone is all that is required such as:

* Facial skin
* Neck Skin
* Breast
* Areas of concomitant surgery
* Cellulite
* Excessive Sweating ( Hyperhidrosis)

What type of Anesthesia, if any, will be used for Laser Liposuction?
Typically, Laser Guided Liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, although the surgeon may elect for other types of anesthesia depending upon the extent of the case. As in other types of liposuction, a tumescent fluid is placed under the skin to anesthetize
the area.

Other Considerations of Laser Liposuction
It has to be realized that there is a great variability in each individual candidate for Laser Guided Liposuction and results can vary. Typical considerations which can alter the results of Laser Liposuction include:

* Age of patient
* Skin sun damage
* Smoking
* Total lifetime Ultraviolet exposure
* Skin thickness
* Body part
* Underlying loose muscle (neck , abdomen)
* Degree of existing skin laxity
* Genetics
* Amount of energy applied to the skin

An Additional Consideration of Laser Liposuction
The last consideration of Laser Guided Liposuction is with respect to what you are getting in the procedure. In addition to the 3 steps mentioned above, the ultimate product you are receiving is energy from the Laser measured in Joules. These are a measure of the unit of laser light energy that is applied to the fat in the deep layer and to the skin in the superficial layer. When examining photos of Laser Guided Liposuction patients, feel free to ask how many Joules of energy was put into the area. Laser Guided Liposuction is a time consuming process if all steps are performed for maximal results.