FAQ: Laser-Assisted Liposuction
Laser-Assisted Liposuction is for people who are in good health, have an active lifestyle and have pocket(s) of fat that they just haven’t been able to get rid of with normal diet and exercise.
If you have any of the following conditions, you are not a good candidate for Laser-Assisted Liposuction:
► Liver Problems
► Blood Disorders
► Kidney Problems
► Heart Problems
► Skin Disorders
► Upper Abdomen
► Lower Abdomen
► Waist
► Chin (Double or Hanging Chin)
► Inner and Outer Thighs
► Upper Arms
► Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia)
The procedure is excellent for removal of localized fat, and as much as 3,500 mls of fat can be removed at a single session.
The fat removal is semi-permanent. If you gain weight, some fat cells will enlarge in areas treated and not treated with the laser. Despite what the manufacturers and the doctors claim, there is no treatment, which can permanently remove all the fat cells. The best way to have permanent fat removal is to continue exercise and watch your diet.
The procedure is done in the office. Prior to the procedure, the fatty areas are marked and a local anesthetic is used to numb the area. The laser is a pen-held device, which is fired close to the skin. As soon as the laser is fired, the fat cells break up. The fluid released is removed with a suction cannula in areas numbed by a local anesthetic. The laser also causes small blood vessels to coagulate (gel) immediately on contact, resulting in less bleeding and swelling. The laser also affects the collagen in the skin. The procedure causes the skin to tighten and shrink giving a pleasing appearance. Each session takes 1 – 3 hours.
You may experience minimal bruising, but the procedure itself is basically pain-free. A pressure dressing or a compression garment is applied depending on the location of the treated area. The compression dressing or garment helps to decrease the swelling and set the treated area in place. Dr. Warren will determine how long you should wear the garment or dressing and most people resume normal activities in a day. The bruising disappears in 7-10 days. The mild ache can be relieved with over-the-counter pain medications.
Soon after the laser liposuction procedure, the treated area will appear tighter, compact and smaller. Within the next 6-8 weeks, the skin and surrounding area will remodel and adjust to the body contour. The remodeling is a gradual process and the best results are seen after two months.
In most cases you should be able to return to work within 24 hours.
► Laser-Assisted Liposuction offers minimal discomfort during the procedure.
► There is minimal pain after procedure, improved by over the counter medications.
► Majority of individuals can return to work in 24 hours.
► There is minimal bleeding or bruising.
► There is little to no loosening or hanging skin after the procedure.
► There are no side effects of general anesthesia.
► This is a minimally invasive procedure with no suturing involved.