Laser or Tumescent Liposuction for Fat Removal

Laser or Tumescent Liposuction for Fat Removal – Which is Best?

Tumescent and Laser liposuction are the two main types of liposuction that are less invasive than traditional liposuction, and of those two, there a several variants of each. Tumescent and Laser liposuction share in common, techniques that minimise post-operative care, the need for an anaesthesiologist, post op bruising and the time taken to heal. It should be noted that liposuction is not a treatment for obesity – where the patients body fat is more than 20% of their total weight. An ideal liposuction candidate is at least 18 and in moderate to good health and only 20 – 25lbs (9-11Kg) overweight.

Tumescent Liposuction

Tumescent (tumescent means “swollen, puffy”) liposuction was first introduced in 1986. It involves injecting into the targeted subcutaneous fat deposits a large volume of sterile saline water. Usually the amount of saline solution is 2 to 3 times the amount of fat to be removed. This saline water is infused with lidocaine, a local anaesthetic and epinephrine, which constricts the blood vessels in the area to be operated on. Because of the large amount of saline solution used, tumescent liposuction is often referred to as “wet” or “super wet” liposuction.

How Does Tumescent Liposuction Work?

After the infusion of the saline solution, the fat deposits become swollen and firm (tumescent), forming clear delineations between the soft over-lying tissue and the under-lying muscle structure. To remove the fat, a small cannula (a thin hollow tube), which is connected to a vacuum pump, is inserted into the swollen fat tissue and the fat is suctioned out. Because only small incisions need to be made for the insertion of the cannula, there is generally no need for stitches after the operation. Some surgeons assist the removal and breakdown of the fat cells by using laser or ultrasound techniques combined with tumescent liposuction. Usually no more than 10lbs (4.5Kg) of fat is removed in any one operation, for the health and well-being of the patient.

Laser Liposuction

Laser liposuction, also known as laser lipo and liposculpture, was first approved for use in the U.S in 2006 for laser fat removal. Laser liposuction is ideal for the treatment of small areas of the body such as neck, cheeks, double chins, sagging jowls, ankles and arms and other problem areas using normal liposuction procedures. It can be used on large areas of the body such as stomach and back, but is not as effective. Some surgeons are using laser liposuction in conjunction with tumescent liposuction on larger areas of the body, mainly for the skin tightening benefits of the laser fat removal procedure.

How Does Laser Liposuction Work?

Laser lipo uses a very small cannula measuring 1mm to 2mm in diameter that has a laser diode attached to its tip. With the patient under local anaesthesia, the cannula is inserted through a small incision into the targeted fat deposits, and the laser is “fired” repeatedly. This causes the fat cells to heat up and “sweat” out a liquid composed of triglyceride’s, water and free fatty acids. This liquid is then suctioned off, with a small amount also being removed by the lymphatic system and excreted by normal bodily functions. The breakdown and re-organisation of the fibrous collagen causes the skin to tighten in the area operated on, unlike normal liposuction which can leave the skin saggy and loose after fat removal. Medical experts consider laser liposuction to be as equally invasive as tumescent liposuction.

Liposuction Cost

As for the costs of laser and tumescent liposuction, both are based on the number of areas to be treated and the size of those areas. Surgeons will generally charge less for multiple areas treated in one operation rather then several separate operations. As both types of liposuction don’t require an anaesthesiologist as in traditional liposuction, there is a considerable cost saving there alone. As a guide, laser liposuction of the cheeks, neck, chin or jowls will vary between $1200 and $6000 dollars, depending on location and both the skill and popularity of the surgeon involved. Tumescent liposuction can start at around $1500 for hips up to $10,000 for the lower abdomen. When comparing costs, make sure all fees are included such as hospital O.R, anaesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, miscellaneous lipo costs and post-operative care if needed.

Choosing a Liposuction Surgeon

When choosing a surgeon, keep in mind that a cosmetic surgeon is not necessarily a plastic surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon could be anyone with a medical degree such as a general surgeon, dermatologist, gynaecologist, oral surgeon, and ophthalmologist etc, with as little training as weekend short course on laser liposuction procedures. Of course, a plastic surgeon may have little training in cosmetic surgery too, as plastic surgery is mainly to do with re-construction and repair of the body. So it’s best to thoroughly examine the credentials and experience of the surgeon involved. Checking if the surgeon is registered with either the The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons will make sure you are working with an accredited lipsosuction surgeon.