Sometimes stubborn pockets of fat refuse to disappear 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 lipo.
Tumescent Lipo
In the traditional procedure, the surgeon injects a solution into the target area. The injection acts as a local anesthetic and allows the fat to be removed more easily. Once the anesthetic has taken effect the doctor inserts a tube under the skin and the fat is literally 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 a number of 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 procedure still has some problems. Patients experience soreness, swelling and bruising for several weeks after the procedure. The more fat removed, the more severe these symptoms will be.
Laser 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 also tightens the skin so patients end up with smoother body contours and don't have to deal with the 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 small 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 soreness and patients can return to work the following day.
Which Procedure is Better?
Patients and doctors 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 experience fewer complications and are generally more satisfied with the procedure.
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 has years of experience with laser 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.
It should be said that lipo is a cosmetic tool and not a method of weight loss. Diet and exercise are still important for weight control, but lipo is an effective method of providing the final contouring to your new body.
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