Liposuction Methods - Virginia Beach Liposuction

Liposuction Methods

Your appearance does not reflect your inner energy and vitality, you may exercise religiously and use extreme care in what you eat, but simply can't shrink those wide hips or that roll at the belt line. It may be that no matter how many sit-ups you do, the tummy muscles that protected your child during pregnancy just won't shrink back to where they were five years before. Sometimes our anatomy is just not responsive to non-surgical options. That is when cosmetic liposuction surgery can play a role.


Dry Liposuction

Also known as "traditional" liposuction, dry liposuction is the first type of liposuction where only general anesthesia was used. It has now been phased out as a method of liposuction due to the increase in potential complications it creates for the patient, such as severe pain, blood loss and temporary immobility.


Tumescent

As of June 2010, tumescent is the most common liposuction technique used . It was invented by Dr. Jeffrey Klein in 1985 and involves a large amount of local anesthetic solution being injected into the fat causing it to become tumescent, or swollen. An expanded fat layer makes liposuctioning easier, constricted blood vessels reduces blood loss and post-operative pain is reduced. As general anesthesia is not used, the associated risks outlined under Dry Liposuction are avoided.


Wet and Super Wet Techniques

Local anesthetic solution is used, but in smaller volumes than the tumescent technique. Generally for the wet technique there is a lower volume than the amount of targeted fat, while in the super wet technique there is an equal volume to the amount of targeted fat. Adrenaline may be added to the anesthetic solution in both techniques.


Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction (UAL)

A large volume of tumescent fluid is injected with a specially-designed cannula (a hollow stainless steel tube), as in the other methods, but next ultrasonic waves are emitted into the targeted fat cells causing them to rupture or "melt" before suction. There are a number of different types of UAL, the latest being Vaser LipoSelection, often called just "Vaser", which uses ultrasound high frequency vibration to break fat cells apart. The disadvantage of this procedure is that it generally takes longer and costs more than other methods but ultimately offers the surgeon more control and protects other tissues, and by using saline solution there is typically less bleeding and bruising.


Power Assisted Techniques (PAL)

Power is supplied by an electric motor or compressed air to a liposuction cannula that produces either a rapid in-and-out movement or a spinning rotation. This movement, normally just a few millimeters, is added to the larger back and forth movements created by the surgeon. PAL has less operator fatigue, easier and smoother fat removal, and fewer traumas to the tissues treated as the oscillating tip passes through fibrous tissues easier.


Laser Assisted Liposuction

Laser energy is used to break down the fat rather than the grating action of a cannula. It is suited to small areas of fat, like the chin, where there may be some skin tightening from the laser, but is not so efficient at removal of larger areas of fat. Liposuction lasers are specially designed to target only fat cells, protecting muscle and nerve tissue. This precision often means less pain, faster healing and very little bruising after the procedure. Learn more about laser liposuction ยป

SmartLipo

What is SmartLipo?
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SmartLipo literally melts away fat in troubled spots like the abdomen, thighs, arms, back, chin and other areas. It is a minimally invasive procedure that involves less pain, swelling, and a much quicker recovery time than traditional liposuction.

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SmartLipo vs Traditional Liposuction
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Liposuction is often associated with longer recovery times, scaring, and sometimes less than ideal results. SmartLipo uses a laser fiber enclosed in a thin tube to disrupt and remove fat cells from the area with minimal bleeding and damage.

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Before and After

SmartLipo is less invasive than traditional liposuction, resulting in less bruising and a more rapid recovery. American Lipo Centers physicians have extensive knowledge, expertise, and experience performing laser liposuction (SmartLipo). See the before and after gallery.

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