The laser fat removal procedure can bring you down a notch or two on your belt with just one treatment. In this video, plastic surgeon Lawrence Bass, MD, explains what you can expect from this treatment, and how long it takes to see real results.
Laser Liposuction
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1 AnswerA
Laser lipo is a form of liposuction that uses a laser to help remove more fat. It is still considered surgery and the benefits of laser liposuction versus regular liposuction remain controversial. In general, liposuction can be performed in a safe and effective manner under the care of a properly trained dermatologist or plastic surgeon. -
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Dr. Lawrence S. Bass, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered
Laser fat removal is a non-invasive, customizable treatment that uses heat to shock the fat cells in a very short treatment time. In this video, plastic surgeon Lawrence Bass, MD, discusses what makes this treatment unique from other treatments.
Find out more about this DVD:
What Makes the Laser Fat Removal Procedure Unique from Existing Procedures?
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1 AnswerA
Dr. Lawrence S. Bass, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered
Laser fat removal is ideal for those with small bulges, or those who don't want a surgical procedure like liposuction. In this video, plastic surgeon Lawrence Bass, MD, explains who the best candidates are for this non-invasive, laser procedure. -
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Dr. Arthur W. Perry, MD , Cosmetic Surgery, answeredSee All 4 AnswersThe risks of liposuction include infection and bleeding. Infection is very rare with liposuction. But when it does occur, it can be aggressive and even life threatening. The average patient loses a pint or more of blood during and after the surgery, an amount that does not require a transfusion. If there is any question about the patient's ability to clot (such as if excessive bleeding has occurred after a tooth extraction or with menstrual periods) then more extensive clotting studies should be performed prior to the surgery.
Liposuction can cause very serious blood clots in the legs. If these travel to the lungs, they can be deadly. Symptoms of blood clots in the legs include swelling, pain, and fever.
The liposuction cannula is a weapon, and it has speared virtually every organ during liposuction. Death can occur if this complication is not immediately recognized. The cannula can also penetrate the skin, causing scarring. Suctioning too close to the skin causes blistering and even skin loss, resulting in severe scarring.
If local anesthesia is used, high doses can be toxic. While local anesthesia seems safer than general anesthesia, to an anesthesiologist the amount of lidocaine sometimes used is frightening. High doses can cause problems with the heart and the brain. Certainly, many of the deaths from liposuction in the last decade have been from overdoses of local anesthetic.
More common and less important complications include contour irregularities in the skin such as dimpling, waviness, rippling, and even hanging skin. Before surgery your surgeon assesses the chance that these problems will occur. If you have good-quality skin, the chance is low -- about 5%. If you have poor-quality skin, perhaps already with some hanging, your chance could be as high as 100%.
As in all surgery, risks will be higher if you have diabetes, heart disease, impairment of the immune system, or other chronic disease. You and your surgeon need to fully assess whether surgery to improve your appearance is worth the risk of complications, even death. -
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Dr. Stuart A. Linder, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredPatients who have desires to undergo liposuction should seek a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. These doctors have experience and judgment to perform your liposuction surgery in a safe and predictable manner. You should first have a consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeon and look at your best options. Skin tone of the abdominal wall and thighs is extremely important when deciding between liposuction versus a skin removal procedure such as an abdominoplasty.
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Dr. Anthony S. Youn, MD , Plastic Surgery, answeredSee All 3 Answers
Liposuction is a two-step surgical procedure that can remove fat from certain areas of the body. Learn exactly how it's done by watching this video featuring board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn.
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Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answeredSee All 2 AnswersThe ideal liposuction patient is about 10 percent above the ideal body weight with isolated fat in one area (and that one area is often genetically driven, i.e. a family where all the members are shaped with excess fat in the same place). People who undergo massive weight loss can still use liposuction—but it should be in combination with other cosmetic surgical procedures to get their body in the proportion they want.
The question you need to ask yourself before considering liposuction is this: Is there an intolerable element to your body that, if changed, would make you happy? For example, are you disproportioned (a size 4 upper body and size 10 lower body)? Or do you carry your weight in one particular area only (like love handles for men)?
Above all, remember that liposuction is not a good way to lose weight. Liposuction has little effect on weight because fat is light (remember, "fat floats.") A liter of fat only weighs about 2 pounds, and the lipo max is 5 liters of fat removed. And while fairly safe, the procedure does have risks. -
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 3 AnswersStraws may suck the cola out of cups, and vacuums may suck the crumbs out of the carpet fibers, but when it comes to the fat-removal process, liposuction sucks big-time. A fairly safe procedure (with three to five days of recovery time), liposuction has a place in a waist-management plan.
But know this: Liposuction is no better as a weight-loss technique than a leg amputation. Liposuction is a sculpting technique; it'll help remove fat from problem areas, but it won't help you lose a significant number of pounds (because fat is light, and too little fat is removed during liposuction to make a significant difference in your weight.)For this reason and others, you and your doctor need to be certain that you're a good candidate for liposuction before you schedule the procedure.