LIPOSUCTION ALTERNATIVES

Popular Alternatives to Traditional Liposuction Procedures

A myriad of options are available for people hoping to get of stubborn fat deposits. However, it is important that you understand that people react differently to these treatments. What might work with most people might not be necessarily successful with you. Just take a look at the different popular diets that have been developed.

The best fat removal treatments are those that work for you. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly remains to be the healthiest option but this might not work for everybody. It takes a lot of time and effort to religiously go to the gym or prepare a healthy meal, time which some of us just don’t have.

Liposuction remains a popular choice for people who want to get rid of large amounts of fats quickly. It only takes a couple of hours to perform and provides people with instant gratification. However, this comes at a cost with treatments reaching into the thousands of dollars.

For those planning to go on a more conservative route, liposuction alternatives are available. Thermage, lipo dissolve and laser liposuction are just some of the less invasive treatments available. These are just some of the new medical treatments that remove cellulite deposits quickly and effectively.

One of the reasons people can’t seem to continue with their fitness program is its speed of results. This could be compensated by taking in diet pills which may speed up the fat burning process. You could take fat burning creams for example and combine it with your workouts to enhance cellulite removal. Safe diet pills could also be taken to reduce your appetite. Other medications may also interfere with the absorption of fats.

The best way of reducing fats is by simply reducing your fat intake. Eating lesser amounts of fat and burning these through simple exercises such as walking or running is all that’s needed. But for those having a difficult time with natural methods, advancements in medical science treatments will be there to provide an answer.

Liposuction is a fat modeling and body shaping technique that has become popular these days especially with the rich and famous. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, over 400,000 patients have undergone liposuction in 2006 alone, making it the most common plastic surgery procedure performed during the said year.

Traditional liposuction procedures can last up to several hours and are commonly applied to the patient’s abdomen, hips, thighs, knees, back and even the patient’s face.

On the other hand, if you opt to go for alternative forms of liposuction that require lesser time in the operating room and lesser recovery and downtime, there are a number of procedures you can choose from.

Tumescent Liposuction Technique

Invented and developed in 1985, tumescent liposuction technique is a popular alternative to traditional liposuction that is done by injecting a large volume of very dilute local anesthetic and capillary constrictor. Despite the fact that tumescent liposuction is considered as an alternative form of liposuction, many expert cosmetic surgeons claim that it is safer and has lesser recovery and downtime compared to other forms.

Super Wet Liposuction Technique

While the super wet liposuction technique requires general anesthesia just like traditional forms of liposuction, this alternative form of liposuction differs from others in a lot of ways. First and foremost is that the super wet liposuction technique requires an anesthesia injection of less than most liposuction techniques – whether traditional or alternative.

Experts estimate that around eight percent of the fluid removed from super wet liposuction techniques compromises blood.

Vaser Ultrasonic Liposuction

Introduced in 2002 by Sound Surgical Technologies LLC, a Louisville-based medical and cosmetic surgery company, the Vaser Ultrasonic Liposuction is truly one of its kind. According to SST’s website Vaser Ultrasonic Liposuction can be applied in any area of the body – a true testament of its innovation.

This alternative form of liposuction is also clinically proven to enhance skin retraction and reduce blood loss, which is a common concern in traditional liposuction.

Water Jet Assisted Liposuction

The water jet assisted liposuction procedure is among the most common type of liposuction procedure used today by cosmetic surgeons. Despite not requiring the injection of general anesthesia, the water jet assisted liposuction is said to feature a more precise and gentler method of removing fat from one’s body.

LipoTherme Liposuction Technique

LipoTherme is an alternative liposuction technique developed and introduced by the Osyris Medical Group. LipoTherme utilizes a 980 nm wavelength to emulsify fat deposits underneath the patient’s skin. Needless to say, LipoTherme has built credibility in being one of the more proven liposuction techniques of today.

How to Choose the Right Cosmetic Surgeon for Your Liposuction

Liposuction has indeed become part of popular culture but that is not to say that anyone can simply approach a cosmetic surgeon and request an immediate liposuction. There are a couple of things that you need to consider before undergoing liposuction.

There are risks and complications that you should not take for granted. Nevertheless, having the right cosmetic surgeon for your liposuction can reduce the risks and complications and is the starting point of safe and effective liposuction.

Safety should be your top priority

Safety should be your top priority when undergoing liposuction. While liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that aims to improve one’s figure, safety should still be given prime importance. When choosing a cosmetic surgeon, it’s necessary that you ask about his/her philosophy when it comes to safety as there is no definition of safe sucking out of fat deposits.

Are you physically fit to undergo liposuction?

Another important consideration when thinking of liposuction and looking for the right cosmetic surgeon is your own physical health. A competent cosmetic surgeon can easily assess whether you are fit to undergo liposuction or not.

Choose a cosmetic surgeon that is licensed, certified and well trained

In choosing a cosmetic surgeon for your liposuction, it is imperative that you look for a cosmetic surgeon who is licensed, certified and well-trained. Different states have different standards when it comes to licenses and certifications so make sure you know what type of license or certification you’ll look for.

Likewise, you can also check the records of employment history of your cosmetic surgeon to find out whether he/she is well-trained or not.

Expertise and experience in emergency management is a must

While not being a pessimist, it’s still essential that you choose a cosmetic surgeon who has a proven track record of expertise and experience when it comes to handling difficult situations or emergencies – as an old adage says, “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.”

Weigh in the reputation of your cosmetic surgeon

It is also necessary that you weigh in the reputation of your cosmetic surgeon. A good indicator of a cosmetic surgeon’s reputation is the number of successful operations he/she has completed.

Check if there are any previous problems linked with your cosmetic surgeon

Another way of getting the right cosmetic surgeon for your liposuction is to conduct a simple background check. You can ask previous patients and inquire if there are any previous problems linked with a particular cosmetic surgeon. You can also inquire with your local health office and ask if there are any malpractice suits filed against your cosmetic surgeon during the past.

Liposuction may be popular these days but that doesn’t mean that it works well with everyone. Obviously, there’s no one-size-fits-all liposuction procedure for everyone. For that matter, it’s imperative that patients do understand what liposuction is, how is it performed and the other factors that should be given importance.

Below are six things patients don’t think about before undergoing liposuction.

1) Is liposuction a good weight loss procedure?

Despite the fact that liposuction sucks out fat from different areas of a patient’s body, it does not mean that liposuction is a good weight loss procedure. In fact, liposuction is not even considered as a weight loss procedure. If you want to lose weight, don’t rely on liposuction – diet and regular exercise are what you need.

2) How much does it cost? – the cost of liposuction

The cost of liposuction can be a really bitter pill to swallow especially for those who may be living paycheck per paycheck. Fortunately, the high cost of liposuction can be justified. The increase in self-confidence and self-worth alone after undergoing a liposuction procedure justify why it’s expensive.

Nevertheless, it’s essential that you honestly ask yourself if you can really afford the high cost of liposuction or not.

3) What are the risk and complications involved in liposuction?

Just like any medical procedure, there are risks and complications involved when it comes to liposuction. Some of the most common risks and complications involved in liposuction include hematoma or excessive bleeding, necrosis or tissue death, risk of allergy to anesthesia, persistent swelling and pain in the body area concerned and potential damage to nerves and blood vessels among others.

4) How is a liposuction procedure done?

Another common mistake people commit when it comes to liposuction is that they don’t know how it is done. Most liposuction patients don’t know what the cosmetic surgeon is doing with their body to say the least – not very smart.

5) The different types of anesthesia and liposuction procedure

There are different types of anesthesia and liposuction procedure. Needless to say, each type is different from another and each suits different types of patient situation. When it comes to anesthesia, there are three primary types – general, local and regional. On the other hand, the two main types of liposuction are the dry and the wet.

6) What about the recovery? How long will it take?

Most successful liposuction cases require at least one to two weeks of downtime and recovery. During that time, the patient must not engaged into heavy work.

Apart from the things listed above, patients should also make sure that they’re dealing with licensed and certified cosmetic surgeons and/or medical clinics. Ask questions regarding their competence and how long they have been practicing – don’t hesitate to be curious.

Liposuction, Benefits and Treatments

Liposuction, also known as fat remodeling or fat reshaping, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that has immensely grown in popularity over the last few years. This procedure basically involves a suction-assisted fat removal technique and is often applied to abdomen, thighs and neck areas.

Liposuction is also considered as one of the safest and most lasting cosmetic surgery procedures that is why even Hollywood actors and actresses such as Demi Moore and Cher have undergone liposuction. As mentioned the greatest advantages of liposuction is the fact that it’s safe and has a more lasting effect. The millions of people who have undergone the procedure can attest to its safety while its lasting effect is a testament of the technique being tried and tested by time.

Advancement in the field of medicine also resulted into the influx of innovative liposuction alternatives that are known to be less painful and involves a faster downtime and recovery period, unlike traditional liposuction.

Examples of Liposuction Alternatives

Over the last decade or so, a number of liposuction alternatives have been introduced in the market. Some of the most popular and frequently performed liposuction alternatives include Thermage and Mesotheraphy among others.

Thermage is a liposuction alternative that is also a renowned as a facelift alternative. The main concept behind Thermage is the melting of the patient’s unwanted fat. The technique is done through the use of heated laser that tightens the collagen inside the patient’s body.

Mesotheraphy, on the other hand, is a liposuction alternative that uses tiny injections as a way to remove fat and remodel the shape of one’s body. The technique calls for the injecting of mild medications and enzymes into the areas of unwanted fat.

The primary reason why liposuction alternatives like Thermage and Mesotheraphy were introduced is to provide an alternative that is less painful, at the same time, an alternative that does not require too much downtime and recovery.

Why Choose Liposuction over Other Cosmetic Surgeries?

Liposuction is just one of the many cosmetic surgeries you can choose from. There are a number of other surgeries and noninvasive treatments aimed to help improve the physical appearance of a patient.

Surgeries and treatments like facelift, breast augmentation and body wraps are also indeed popular these days. For that reason, one might wonder – why choose liposuction over other cosmetic surgeries?

The first and foremost advantage of liposuction over other surgeries and treatments is the fact that it simply shapes the body. It does not deal with chemicals or deals with chemicals in a minimal basis. Unlike breast augmentation in which certain chemicals are injected into the patient’s breast, liposuction merely removes fat.

Liposuction is also ideal for people who want to look thinner, although it’s not a weight loss treatment, liposuction can help a person lose weight and unwanted fats especially in crucial areas like the neck and the abdomen.

Steps on Choosing a Reliable Cosmetic Surgeon

The cosmetic surgeon who will perform the liposuction determines its safety and effectiveness. For that reason, time and effort should be invested into choosing a reliable cosmetic surgeon – not a bogus or an inexperienced one.

Below is a three-step guide on choosing a reliable cosmetic surgeon for your liposuction.

Step 1: Ask for referrals from family members and close friends

The first thing that you should do when you are in the process of choosing a reliable cosmetic surgeon is to ask for referrals from family members and close friends. Word of mouth is the simply the best way to get information regarding a product, a service or in this case, a surgeon.

If you are interested in undergoing liposuction, it is most likely that you know someone or a friend of yours know someone who has undergone the same procedure. Ask them how their liposuction session turned out and how long it lasted – inform yourself.

Step 2: Check the Internet for trusted liposuction surgeons

You can also check the Internet for trusted liposuction surgeons. In this day and age of the Internet, cosmetic surgeons are now using the Internet to market their services to prospective clients and patients.

With a simple Google search, you have the opportunity to get to know some of the more trusted cosmetic surgeons online. Likewise, you can also check blogs and community forums for referrals and recommendations from your fellow cosmetic surgery patients.

Step 3: Discuss your situation with your surgeon, ask the right questions

You need to also discuss your situation with your surgeon in order to make sure that he is the right surgeon for you. Be open and tell him of any ailments or illness that you currently have. You need to provide your surgeon with a clear picture of your medical history so that he’ll know if you are a good candidate for liposuction.

You need to also ask the right questions for you to be more informed regarding the do’s and don’ts and what to expect during and after your liposuction.

Are You a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

In order to have a safe and effective procedure, you need to assess whether or not you are a good candidate for liposuction. Basically, a good candidate for liposuction is someone who is of good health. If you’re suffering from severe conditions like heart diseases, undergoing liposuction might not be a smart move. You need to be prepared mentally and physically weeks prior to your liposuction session.

Liposuction – Health or Shape?

Contrary to popular belief, liposuction is not a weight loss treatment – it’s actually a fat remodeling technique designed to help patients achieve a more attractive body figure. This technique basically sucks body fats in unwanted areas such as the patient’s neck and abdomen. Needless to say, liposuction has become one of the faces of modern cosmetic surgeries along with other popular treatments like facelift and breast augmentation.

What exactly is liposuction?

Today’s traditional liposuction technique roots way back during the 1960s in Europe. While it has undergone numerous innovations and alterations, the same concept of removing fat with the help of a suction-assisted technique is still being utilized.

The fundamentals of a traditional liposuction involve assessing and removing the right amount of fat while causing the fewer disturbances and least discomfort.

On the other hand, if you are not into traditional liposuction, there are several alternative liposuction treatments such as lipodissolve, mesotherapy and thermage – which are thoroughly discussed below.

These liposuction alternatives are said to be less invasive and less risky compared to the traditional liposuction technique.

Is liposuction really safe? – How effective is it?

Even some Hollywood celebrities, world-famous athletes and supermodels have undergone liposuction, some on a regular and continuing basis. To put it simply, liposuction is safe and effective as long as your liposuction surgeon is reliable and knows what he’s doing. Likewise, the safety and effectiveness of your liposuction treatment is also determined by whether or not you follow the instructions of your surgeon prior, during and after your liposuction.

What are important considerations with regards to liposuction?

Your health is the most important consideration when you are to undergo liposuction. In fact, it should always be the greatest consideration regardless of what cosmetic surgery or what type of liposuction alternative you are to undergo.

You need to consult your general doctor and tell him of your desire to undergo liposuction. More likely than not, your general doctor can determine whether you are a good candidate for liposuction or if your medical situation is too risky for liposuction.

You should also pay attention to your daily routines. Considerable downtime is required after a successful liposuction, hence you need to schedule your appointments in advance. If possible, take a couple of days leave from your work.

Finding a liposuction surgeon near you is not easy

Finding a liposuction surgeon near you is easy but finding a reliable liposuction surgeon near you might be tricky. There are thousands of cosmetic surgeons in the United States and millions more worldwide. For that reason, choosing that “one” surgeon who can cater to your needs can be really daunting.

It won’t hurt if you ask fro referrals and recommendations from trusted friends and acquaintances. You can also use the Internet to your advantage. Invest time and effort in looking for the liposuction surgeon who can really suit to your needs and preferences.

Possible risks and complications associated with liposuction

Whatever procedure you undergo, risks and complications cannot be avoided. But the good thing is that they are simply risks and complications – it does not mean that they are bound to occur. You can avoid the pre existing risks and complications such as hematoma and dizziness, if you carefully follow your liposuction surgeon’s instructions.

Downtime and recovery – How long will hospitalization last?

Normally, you need to have a couple of days to a week rest after a successful liposuction. Expert surgeons advise avoiding strenuous and heavy work during downtime and recovery. Moreover, it can help if you have someone who can accompany you during your recovery stage, probably a trusted friend or a close relative.

Are there any liposuction alternatives available?

1) Lipodissolve

From the name itself, lipodissolve is liposuction through dissolution. This type of liposuction alternative is aimed to dissolve fats through a series of injections in the body areas concerned. The idea behind lipodissolve is to break down the bonds between fat molecules.

The dissolution process then paves the way for a slimmer and more attractive body figure.

2) Mesotheraphy

Mesotheraphy’s popularity is concentrated in Europe and Central America but that does not mean that this liposuction alternative is not available in the United States. The truth is that mesotheraphy is starting to carve its own niche in the US cosmetic surgery market.

Soon mesotheraphy will become a global household name.

3) Thermage

Thermage is arguably the most popular among the three liposuction alternatives listed here. Thermage is the most non-invasive of the three – in short, it does not require surgery as your surgeon will not cut into his patient’s skin.

With considerably lesser risk, thermage is used not just as an alternative to liposuction but also an alternative to traditional facelift procedures.

Apart from those three above, there are several other alternatives to traditional liposuction like the ultrasound-assisted liposuction or SAL and the power-assisted liposuction or PAL. Each of these alternatives has its pros and cons, you just have to weigh your situation and find out what is the best treatment for you.

Liposuction is not enough – Regular exercise and proper diet are must-haves

The effectiveness and longevity of your liposuction are not solely determined by how well the procedure was performed or how expert your liposuction surgeon is. Effectiveness and longevity of the liposuction results lies also at the hands of the patient.

Regular exercise and proper diet are always the greatest tool against obesity and other appearance-related problems, regardless of whether you’ve undergone liposuction or not.