| Dr. Shim Ching is a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Here the Doctor has answered some of the common questions bizymoms visitors have about Laser Liposuction.
Q. What is laser Liposuction?
A. Slimlipo (also known as laser liposuction) is a revolutionary new technology that greatly improves the procedure of liposuction. The main benefits are:
1. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, which makes patients much more comfortable in the recovery period. Many patients can return to normal activities the next day. We have many patients that return to work the next day. We even had one patient go out to dinner with a friend on the same day, after her procedure!
2. Reduced swelling and bruising, which results in less pain. Less swelling means the results of liposuction are evident sooner than with traditional liposuction. The bruising that is almost always seen with traditional liposuction is greatly reduced and sometimes eliminated as the laser coagulates blood vessels during the surgery.
3. The laser generates light that is absorbed by collagen in the skin. The absorption of light causes heat. Enough heat is generated to cause tightening of the skin. This is a major advantage of laser liposuction as we can now treat areas of loose skin that we could previously only treat with surgical removal. Surgical removal of skin usually results in obvious scars from the incisions and longer recovery times.
Q. Who is an ideal candidate for laser liposuction surgery?
A. Laser liposuction is best for people who are relatively fit and healthy, but have specific areas where they tend to carry fat. We all have pockets of fat in certain areas that even diet and exercise will not improve. This is not a form of weight loss, although we have seen some weight loss with patients that have the surgery done. We also see many patients that have had traditional liposuction and are unhappy with their results. Usually the problems include asymmetry, dimpling, and rippling, incomplete removal of fat and loose skin. Fortunately, laser liposuction is an ideal tool for helping these patients.
Q. Are there risks and complications to a laser liposuction surgery?
A. Since we are able to do laser liposuction in our office under local anesthesia, the risks and complications are reduced greatly. We offer specific instructions for recovery. Follow up appointments are scheduled on a regular basis in order to minimize the possibility of any complications.
Q. What technique will the surgeon use to perform laser liposuction?
A. I use a laser called Slimlipo. There are several lasers that physicians can use to perform laser liposuction. We chose the Slimlipo system as it offers the best technology to melt fat and tighten skin. The procedure is performed in three stages. First a solution known as tumescent solution is injected through small incisions in the skin, each measuring 2-3mm in length. The laser is then applied to melt fat and tighten skin via the same small incisions. Then the melted fat is extracted with liposuction, again using the same small incisions. The equipment used for liposuction can be much smaller than the ones used for traditional liposuction because the fat has been melted by the laser. The advantages of using smaller liposuction instruments are:
1. Smaller incisions can be used, resulting in less obvious scars
2. The narrow metal tubes used to extract fat can be smaller and thinner, which tend to cause less trauma to the body, resulting in less pain and swelling
Q. How long is the recovery period?
A. This is probably one of the best aspects of laser liposuction. Our patients go home right after the procedure and can go back to work in as little as one day. Most patients will experience some swelling and possibly bruising but it is typically very mild and does not restrict them from returning to work. We do ask all our patients to wear a surgical garment under their clothes for four weeks after surgery in order to obtain the best possible results.
Q. Are the results of laser liposuction permanent?
A. The results are considered to be permanent. Since we are actually removing the fat cells, you can not reproduce more fat cells in the areas we treat. Human beings are born with a certain number of fat cells and this number does not change with weight gain. Fat cells get larger and smaller depending on how much fat the body has stored. If patients gain weight after their procedure, the fat is generally distributed to other areas of the body. If a large amount of weight gain occurs, fat can reaccumulate in the areas treated.
Q. How much does laser liposuction surgery cost?
A. The cost will depend on how many areas are being treated but it starts at $3,500 per area treated. We can give you a personal quote during a consultation.
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