Liposuction has become the most popular cosmetic procedure in the US and the UK. It’s mainly used to treat bulging tummies, chubbier thighs, love handles and in some cases even arms. Liposuction is safe but only when you enlist the services of a reputable surgeon at a reputable clinic that performs hundreds of procedures each year.
If you are considering liposuction in the Palo Alto or San Jose, CA, area, you may be surprised to learn there is more than one type of liposuction approach—in fact, there are several. Thanks to advancements in aesthetic devices and techniques, you now have more options than ever for reducing stubborn fat and achieving the body you’ve been dreaming of.
How can you decide which type of liposuction is best for you? Read on to learn more about 3 different types of liposuction, how they work, and the most important step you can take to make sure you see the best possible results.
Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction, also called traditional liposuction, uses a tumescent solution to liquefy fat tissue for easy removal. This solution contains lidocaine to reduce discomfort, epinephrine to minimize bleeding or bruising, and saline to saturate the fat tissue. Your surgeon uses a thin tube called a cannula to break up the tissue and suction it away.
Smartlipo®
Also called laser-assisted liposuction (LAL), Smartlipo uses laser energy to disrupt and liquefy fat tissue. The cannula used to suction the fat tissue contains a laser tip that heats and breaks up fat cells while minimizing your risk of bleeding or bruising. The heat generated also stimulates collagen production in your skin, which has a subtle tightening effect.
VASER® Liposelection®
VASER Liposelection is a form of ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL), which breaks up fat tissue using ultrasound energy. VASER stands for “vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance.” Because this energy is targeted only at fat tissue, it causes fewer disturbances to blood vessels and other tissues in the area.
Alternatives to Liposuction
If you are looking to reduce pockets of “pinchable” fat and are not sure you want to go the surgical route, you may want to consider SculpSure® or CoolSculpting®. These nonsurgical treatments use controlled heat (SculpSure) and cooling (CoolSculpting) to destroy fat cells so your body can naturally flush them out. Learn more about these approaches in this related blog post.
How to Choose the Right Liposuction Type for You
You don’t have to decide on a liposuction approach on your own. Consulting one-on-one with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best way to get a better understanding of what each approach offers and which one is best for you and your cosmetic goals. Once your surgeon assesses your body and talks with you about your desired results, you will work together to create a customized treatment plan to achieve your goals as effectively as possible.
Best Type Of Liposuction For Stomach
Sometimes body fat is resistant to diet and exercise. This can leave you feeling frustrated and looking for new options. Liposuction is a great option for individuals wishing to improve their body shape by eliminating unwanted fat tissue.
Liposuction is not a solution for weight loss or sagging skin, but it can help you slim down problem areas. Liposuction can be used to target many different areas of your body and is often combined with other procedures like tummy tucks and breast augmentation for maximum results.
6 Types of Liposuction
Some of the target areas Dr. Fan commonly addresses are:
There are six different types of liposuction available today, ranging from traditional liposuction to SmartLipo to high definition liposuction.
In this post, we’ll review the six different types of liposuction and help you learn which type is best for you.
The 6 Different Types of Liposuction Treatments
1. Suction Assisted Liposuction (SAL)
SAL is regular liposuction without any fancy bells or whistles. In the right hands, it works excellently for most patients.
2. Tumescent Liposuction
Tumescent liposuction is very similar to SAL. The only difference is that larger amounts of anesthetic fluid are used, enough to make the targeted tissues swell or become “tumescent.” Tumescent lipo also works well in the hands of a skilled surgeon.
3. Laser-Assisted Liposuction or SmartLipo
Advances in technology have produced alternative liposuction procedures. Laser assisted liposuction uses heat energy from a laser to help perform the procedure.
In theory, the laser is supposed to melt fat, coagulate blood vessels, and tighten skin. According to its manufacturer Cynosure, SmartLipo is a less invasive procedure that is safer with quicker recovery, reduced bruising, and enhanced skin tightening compared to SAL.
In reality, SmartLipo is no better, no safer, nor less invasive than suction assisted liposuction, tumescent liposuction, or other modern forms of liposuction. In fact, multiple peer-reviewed, clinical studies performed by unbiased plastic surgeons have shown no difference in outcomes or side effects between laser assisted liposuction and suction assisted liposuction.
But, wait, isn’t SmartLipo a safer procedure? No, it’s not. SmartLipo marketing claims that SmartLipo is “safer” is because it’s performed under local anesthesia. Well, it turns out that all types of liposuction can also be performed under local anesthesia, not just SmartLipo.
You may be asking yourself: Well, if SmartLipo is at least equivalent to regular lipo, and it may offer some additional benefits, shouldn’t I just choose SmartLipo anyway? Well, the answer’s not so simple. First, it’s extremely important to choose an excellent plastic surgeon. Unfortunately, most of the doctors aggressively promoting SmartLipo are less skilled cosmetic surgeons. If you’re feeling pressure to choose the laser assisted option, you may want to get a second opinion and verify the credentials of your surgeon. Second, the use of a laser adds time and complexity, with a risk of thermal injury, or buns, and with no proven benefits to show for it, it may not be worth the additional time, risk, and expense.
All this being said, laser assisted liposuction may be a good option for you if you’re working with an experienced plastic surgeon.
4. Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction or Vaser
Ultrasound energy is another technology used to assist in breaking up fatty tissue. Ultrasonic liposuction is performed by making incisions and inserting a low-frequency ultrasound device attached to a cannula. The sound energy is used to emulsify the fat, after which the fat is removed with a traditional suction tube. This option is most commonly known under the brand name VASER.
Some of the manufacturer claims associated with VASER are reduced blood loss, swelling, and bruising; skin tightening; and ease of procedure for the surgeon. It is also thought to work better for removing fat in fibrous areas like the back and flanks. However, like the laser-assisted liposuction, there is no real evidence that this option produces better results than other techniques.
Ultrasound assisted liposuction requires a larger incision to accommodate the ultrasound device. This option may mean an increase in time and complexity and adds the additional risks of burning, nerve damage, and scarring.
5. Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
Power assisted liposuction may be a good option if you have high volumes of fat that need to be removed. This procedure is performed with the use of a special, vibrating cannula to help break up and remove fatty tissue.
The main benefit of using power assisted liposuction is quicker fat removal with less surgeon fatigue. Other than that, there is no real difference in results and recovery when performed by an expert surgeon, although it may offer some benefits in breaking up fat in particularly dense areas.
The use of additional equipment may add complexity to the procedure and increase the total cost.
6. High Definition Liposuction (HDL)
High definition liposuction (aka. “Six Pack Ab,” “Eight Pack Abs” or abdominal etching) is a specialized version of liposuction that focuses on enhancing the underlying muscular definition of the torso by performing very selective superficial liposuction and muscle enhancement with fat grafting. High definition liposuction requires additional procedure time, recovery time, expense, and expertise compared to non-HD liposuction. If you’re looking for a shredded look, high definition liposuction can be a great choice.
Don’t Buy into the Lipo Hype
The liposuction landscape is littered with all sorts of marketing hype and overpromises. If you don’t believe us, just google terms like SmartLipo, liposculpture, micro lipo, tickle lipo, Air Sculpt Lipo, and the list goes on and on.
What do all of these terms mean? Not much. Each variation of liposuction has subtle differences, but they’re all basically fancy ways of saying “lipo.” Keep in mind that all modern forms of liposuction have been shown to be equally safe and effective, and no technique has been shown to be consistently more effective than the others. If you do your homework, you’ll notice that the people who make the loudest claims tend to be lesser skilled cosmetic surgeons rather than expert plastic surgeons.
So, Which Type of Liposuction is the Best?
Answer #1: It Depends: There is no single best type of liposuction, as all modern techniques are equally safe and effective
All modern forms of liposuction are generally considered equally safe and effective when performed by an expert surgeon on properly selected patients. Most often, the tumescent or suction assisted liposuction techniques are used and laser, ultrasound, power assisted, and high definition techniques are used in select instances to assist with the liposuction process. Results are often dramatic and a healthy, active lifestyle is necessary to maintain the body and keep fat off.
Answer #2: It’s the surgeon that matters, not the machine!
You should keep in mind that when it comes to liposuction, the most important factor for obtaining a good result is by far the skill of the surgeon performing the procedure. A skilled surgeon can use a variety of tools to help you achieve the results you want. Be careful of anybody promising that a laser can eliminate the need for a tummy tuck or pressuring you into choosing a fancy sounding machine or treatment.
For those who aren’t sure if a completely noninvasive fat reduction treatment like CoolSculpting or a surgical treatment such as a tummy tuck might be better for you, look into What is Body Contouring and Which Procedure Do I Need?
Dr. Larry Fan is not only qualified to perform each liposuction technique, but his office offers the latest methods and has produced thousands of satisfied patients.
Best Type Of Liposuction For Thighs
The thighs can be a problem area for many people, especially later in life. Thankfully there are two surgeries that can address various aesthetic problems involving the thighs: the thigh lift and thigh liposuction. Let’s compare the two.
About Thigh Lift Surgery
Also known as thighplasty, thigh lift surgery refers to a procedure that targets the loose skin of the thigh area. Through incisions made carefully around the groin and inner thigh area, the skin can be tightened and any sagging or droopiness reduced.
There are generally two kinds of thigh lifts that can be performed:
Outer or Lateral Thigh Lift – This type of thigh lift is ideal for the front and outer portion of the thigh.
Inner or Medial Thigh Lift – This type of thigh lift is ideal for the upper portion of the inner thigh.
Ideal Candidates for Thigh Lift Surgery
The ideal candidates for thigh lift surgery are people who face issues with the overall contour and appearance of their thighs. They should have problems with wrinkling, loose, or excess skin, which is often associated with weight loss. Patients should be in good overall health so that the procedure will not pose a risk to the person’s overall wellness.
About Thigh Liposuction
Thigh liposuction is a fat reduction procedure that is performed on the thigh area. It is essentially a liposuction that is targeted specifically to the problem areas of the thighs. With thigh liposuction, unwanted pockets of fat can be removed to enhance the overall appearance of the legs.
Keep in mind that liposuction is not intended for weight loss. Rather, liposuction is for fat removal purposes. Patients will lose weight of course since fat is taken from the body, but the weight loss is not the central reason for the procedure. The primary reason is to remove a specific bit of fat from the body.
Ideal Candidates for Thigh Liposuction
The best candidates for thigh liposuction are people who have unwanted pockets of fat in the thigh area, whether that be the inner thigh or the outer thighs. As with thigh lift surgery, liposuction candidates should be in good overall health so that the procedure will not pose a risk to overall wellness.
When Is Thigh Lift Surgery More Ideal?
Thigh lift surgery is more ideal when patients have problems with sagging skin. Liposuction, while sometimes a part of thigh lift surgery, is unable to address problems with wrinkling or drooping.
When Is Thigh Liposuction More Ideal?
Liposuction for the thighs is the best option when a patient is dealing with problems linked to pockets of fat in different parts of the body. The procedure will not be able to remove loose skin.
Tailoring Body Contouring Treatment to Your Needs
There is no one right answer for every situation, which is why we take great pride in tailoring each treatment to a patient’s needs. During the consultation process, we will assess your situation and help determine which surgery may be most ideal for achieving your aesthetic goals.
Learn More About Treatments for Your Thighs
For more information about body contouring and sculpting surgery, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center today. We will work with you to improve your appearance and help you feel great about the way you look.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are considering plastic surgery in Darien, CT, or anywhere around Fairfield County, contact us to schedule a one-on-one consultation with top plastic surgeon Dr. Passaretti.
types of liposuction and cost
For over three decades, liposuction has been one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgery procedures designed to achieve more aesthetically appealing body contours. Liposuction has helped millions of women and men to enhance their figures through targeted removal of unwanted fat pockets.
Liposuction may be performed as a standalone surgery or in conjunction with other procedures such as tummy tuck, breast augmentation or mommy makeover. Board certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eric Yavrouian provides liposuction to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles CA, and surrounding communities.
Types of Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction cosmetic surgery may be performed using one of the following techniques:
This type of liposuction surgery may be performed when a large amount of fat removal is involved in one or more areas. The procedure involves manual manipulation of the stubborn fat cells with a cannula inserted through an incision, and removal of the dislodged fats with a suction pump.
This is a highly popular liposuction technique, which involves only local anesthesia. The surgeon will inject a liberal volume of a solution including a local anesthetic and salts to cause the fat cells to swell. This makes it easier to isolate and remove them. The procedure involves relatively lesser downtime.
In this type of liposuction, ultrasound technology is used to generate heat in the targeted fat cells and liquefy them. This makes it easier to remove larger and denser fat tissue in a relatively less invasive manner.
Several advanced laser assisted liposuction surgery techniques are used today to achieve more precise and effective results. Laser based liposuction will involve minimal bruising and bleeding, reduce the downtime, and minimize the risk of scarring. Targeted results with laser liposuction can be achieved in more sensitive areas such as the cheeks, chin, jowls, neck, and arms.
This is a unique type of liposuction aimed at enhancing the appearance of the abdominal muscles, and create the highly sought after ‘six pack’ abs. The muscles will first be outlined and then a thin layer of fat will be used to obscure the muscles. Traditional, ultrasonic or laser based liposuction may then be used to perform this procedure.
The Price Tag on Liposuction
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average fundamental cost of liposuction in 2014 in the US was $2,971. However, this figure did not include the inclusion of anesthesia, surgical facility costs, and other expenses that are germane to this procedure.
The overall dollar amount of the procedure may range from $4,000 to $8,000, depending on a number of factors. Patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles CA, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive this procedure from facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian.
Recovery
Depending on the extent of fat removed and the type of technique used, the downtime involved in liposuction may range from three days to two weeks. Initial pain and discomfort can be managed with pain medications. Results of liposuction will establish gradually over a few months as the swelling disappears completely and the healing is completed.
tumescent liposuction side effects
Lidocaine is the safest for tumescent liposuction of all the available local anesthetic drugs. To the best of our knowledge there has never been a reported case of toxicity due to lidocaine when it is used at the recommended doses and concentrations for tumescent liposuction.
The Three Risks of Local Anesthesia
The three risks of local anesthesia for tumescent liposuction are 1) toxicity from an excessively high concentration of the drug in the blood, 2) injury from a needle used to inject the local anesthetic drug, and 3) discomfort during liposuction due to inadequate local anesthesia.
Lidocaine Toxicity
Lidocaine toxicity is due to excessively high concentrations of lidocaine in the blood this in turn is due to a combination of the following three situations. 1) An excessive total dose of local anesthetic drug is given to the patient. 2) There is an excessively rapid absorption, of an otherwise safe dose of tumescent lidocaine, from the fat where it was injected, into the blood stream. 3) An unanticipated drug-interaction occurs between lidocaine and another drug taken by the patient which slows the rate at which lidocaine is metabolized and is eliminated from the patient’s system.
Preventing Lidocaine Toxicity
The physician who invented tumescent liposuction has written a book entitled Tumescent Technique: Tumescent Anesthesia and Microcannular Liposuction (Author Jeffrey Klein, Mosby Publishers, St Louis, 2000). This book contains detailed information about how to minimize these risks of tumescent local anesthesia. Surgeons who have read this book are less likely to commit errors that lead to lidocaine toxicity during tumescent liposuction.
Preventing Needle Injury
Preventing needle injury during the injection of tumescent local anesthesia is not difficult. Such an injury is extremely rare. It is important that only a physician or registered nurse do the infiltration of the solution of tumescent local anesthesia into the targeted fat. The technique for doing tumescent infiltration painlessly in a conscious patient requires special skills and some special equipment. Blunt-tipped HK-infiltration cannulas have been designed specifically to minimize the risks of inadvertent injury to tissues located deep beneath subcutaneous fat.
Avoiding Inadequate Local Anesthesia
Avoiding inadequate local anesthesia is not difficult but it does require adequate concentration of lidocaine in the tumescent solution. In order to assure complete local anesthesia, it is important that the correct concentration of lidocaine be used in each area of the body. For example, achieving complete local anesthesia for tumescent liposuction of the abdomen typically requires a higher concentration of lidocaine than does liposuction of the hips and waist areas. In addition, the infiltration technique must be done carefully, methodically, and with patience. Attempting to infiltrate as fast as possible, will usually result in incomplete local anesthesia and might require supplementation with systemic intravenous narcotics and sedatives.
Common Side-Effects
Common Side-Effects of tumescent lidocaine that are not considered signs of toxicity include mild sleepiness, and occasionally nausea and vomiting. Most patients experience some sleepiness during and after tumescent liposuction, even if no sedatives were taken. Nausea and vomiting associated with tumescent local anesthesia is not usual, but it can occur. Other drugs that can increase nausea and vomiting after tumescent liposuction include antibiotics, acetaminophen (Tylenol), sedatives related to Valium, and all narcotics such as codeine and Demerol.
Mild Symptoms of Toxicity
Mild Symptoms of Toxicity due to lidocaine that may be associated with tumescent liposuction include mild confusion, lightheadedness, impaired memory, ataxia (diminished coordination), an unsteady gait, blurred vision or double vision. Other causes of these symptoms that are unrelated to lidocaine toxicity include anxiety, and hyperventilation. Similar effects may be experienced as a result of other drugs that patients may take without the knowledge of the surgeon.
Dangerous Signs of Lidocaine Toxicity
Dangerous signs include ringing in the ears (tinnitus), widespread muscle twitching, seizures, and unconsciousness. Seizures and loss of consciousness associated with lidocaine toxicity should be considered a medical emergency. In the most severe forms of local anesthetic toxicity there can very low blood pressure, slow heart rate, and be irregular heart rhythm. The only examples of such toxicity associated with liposuction have occurred where there was an error in preparation of the anesthetic solution as a result of not following the guidelines for safe tumescent liposuction. These guidelines are published in the book Tumescent Technique: Tumescent Anesthesia and Microcannular Liposuction (by Jeffrey Klein, Mosby Publishers, St Louis, 2000).
Human Error
Human error can increase the risk of toxicity from tumescent local anesthesia. A cavalier attitude about safety can be dangerous if the patient and/or surgeon attempt to do too much liposuction, and use too much tumescent solution; megaliposuction is very dangerous. Dosage miscalculations can, during the preparation of the tumescent local anesthetic solution, occur if the safety guidelines of the Tumescent Technique are not followed. Poor communication between staff and inadequate records can lead to medication errors; the surgeon should always provide legible written orders for the tumescent solutions prior to preparation of the solutions. Poorly trained staff can make dangerous mistakes; tumescent solutions should only be prepared in the operating room by licensed medical professionals immediately before surgery. Human error committed by patients can also contribute to toxicity of local anesthesia; a patient increases the risk of adverse drug interactions if the surgeon is not informed of all medications he or she is taking.
Unfamiliarity with Drug Interactions
Both the surgeon and patient should be aware that certain drugs interact with local anesthetics and thus increase the risk of toxicity. The patient must be certain to inform the surgeon about all medications that the patient takes on a regular or intermittent basis. It is especially important that the surgeon be informed about all new medications that the patient starts taking after the preoperative examination and before surgery.
Drug-Interactions Causing Lidocaine Toxicity
There are a number of drugs that can interact with lidocaine in such a way that the risk of lidocaine toxicity is increased. In most cases, these drugs interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize and eliminate lidocaine from the body. It is important that patients who are scheduled for tumescent liposuction should inform the surgeon of all drugs the patient takes regularly or intermittently. Any of the drugs on the following list (see Pharmacology), if taken within one to two weeks of tumescent liposuction can increase the risk of lidocaine toxicity. If such drugs cannot be discontinued, then the surgeon must reduce the dosage of lidocaine.