Stubborn pockets of fat sometimes refuse to go away despite a person's best efforts. Liposuction offers patients with this problem a solution. For patients in Philadelphia, lipo is commonly available in two forms: tumescent lipo or new laser Smart-Lipo.
Laser Smart-Lipo
A more recent technique has been developed that offers a better patient experience than tumescent liposuction. It uses a laser to melt the fat, making it easier to remove with less injury to surrounding tissues. The laser tightens the skin so patients get smoother body contours and don't have to deal with sagging skin that used to be common after lipo.
The tube used to remove the fat is only 1 mm across and the incision used is so little it doesn't need stitches. Since the fat is removed with less intrusion, tissue damage is less and recovery is much faster. Patients experience far less bruising and patients can return to work the next day.
Tumescent Lipo
In the traditional procedure, the surgeon injects a solution into the designated area. The injection acts as a local anesthetic and allows the fat to be removed more easily. Once the anesthetic has settled in the doctor inserts a tube under the skin and the fat is sucked out of the patient's body. It is a precise procedure that can be used to target specific pockets of fat.
Tumescent lipo has many advantages over older liposuction techniques. It uses local rather than general anesthesia and has fewer long-term complications than the old procedure. It is less painful and has a shorter recover time than the lipo techniques that originated in the 1970s.
However the techniques still have some problems. Patients experience swelling and bruising for a few weeks after the operation. The more fat removed, the more severe these symptoms will be.
Which Operation is Better?
Doctors and patients agree that laser liposuction is superior to other methods. Studies show it provides the same results as tumescent lipo but with shorter recovery time. Patients don't experience as many complications and are generally more happy with the operation.
As with any cosmetic procedure, the experience of the doctor is a stronger indicator of success than the technology used. In Philadelphia, lipo is offered by many plastic surgeons. Find a surgeon who is experienced with Smart-Lipo to have the best chance of a positive outcome. Talk to the doctor and ask any questions you might have so you go into the procedure fully informed and with a realistic expectation about what the results will be.
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