Laser Liposuction vs. Traditional Liposuction

Liposuction is an invention of an age when people do not have much time to think about their health issues. They are more inclined towards fast food than home cooked meals and have lesser time to spend on exercise and gym routines. Certainly this is the reason behind an increasing rate in overweight people especially in developed countries.

Liposuction and other treatments that produce quick results best fulfill our needs. Certainly, we have other important things to do apart from all these exercise regimens. Through liposuction we lose extra fat all of a sudden and our body acquires an excellent shape. Previously, we had only surgical liposuction to fix our bodies. But now we have its laser alternative that has turned down many side effects of traditional laser. Let’s see the positive and negative impacts of both techniques.

Traditional liposuction

Traditional liposuction was the only fat removal treatment nearly for a decade that served well its clients and is still used frequently throughout the world especially to treat areas where tissues are less fibrous.

It is a surgical procedure that uses cannulas, hollow metal tubes, to take fat deposits out from body. It needs a large incision and involves sufficient downtime. You will be bed bound for several days. As this is a surgical treatment there are many potential side effects and complications associated with traditional liposuction.

Swelling, bruising, numbness, irritation, and loose skin are some common side effects. Some rare and dangerous complications include excessive blood loss, blood clots formation, infection and fluid accumulation in lungs.

Laser liposuction

Laser liposuction is a new fat removal treatment. It uses laser beam to liquefy fat tissues and is easier and simpler than traditional liposuction.

Laser liposuction is usually performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon inserts a cannula through an incision and moves it back and forth to break fat deposits right beneath the skin’s surface. The cannula has a laser fiber in it that helps surgeon to see beneath the skin layer.

Laser beam transfers heat to cells as a result they swell and burst into fatty oil. That is why it is said that laser melts fat. Surgeon removes that liquefied fat through suction device if treated area is sufficiently large. For smaller area liquefied fat is absorbed by body.

Laser liposuction does not entail a long list of side effects and complications. Swelling and bruising are common side effects that subside quickly. However, use of laser carries a possibility of burning the area under treatment.

Some surgeons believe that using a laser liposuction increases elasticity of skin and as a result skin does not appear loose and saggy as it often appears after a traditional liposuction.  The treatment is so quick that some surgeons also call it “lunch hour lipo”.

So which is better?

Your preferences play an important part in deciding which procedure is right for you. People who cannot take off from their work prefer laser liposuction over traditional liposuction. However, some surgeons consider traditional liposuction a better option for soft fat areas like inner thighs, lower abdomen, arms and neck.

Last but not least, it is not the technique but the surgeon who really makes a difference. You will definitely fare well if you select a good surgeon.

Still confused? Book your consultation with an experienced, highly qualified plastic surgeon and he will help you in making your decision.