There is just no getting around the fact that liposuction requires surgery. And the inherent risks involved in any surgery can be quite intimidating for some who are considering the procedure to eliminate stubborn lipid. While laser liposuction has provided an attractive, less-invasive alternative, advances in the field of body contouring mean that doctors have several options to offer people who desire the benefits without the recover process. It has become tricky to try out various options among their claims and hype. There is both good news and bad news if you are looking for alternatives.
The bad news is that doctors seem to agree that there isn't really anything that replaces a liposuction for immediate removal of lipid deposits around the midsection. But the good news is that not everyone requires traditional liposuction to achieve their personal goals. Your doctor will then assess your personal situation and present and customize suggestions accordingly.
The most commonly promoted alternatives are Mesootherapy, Lipodissolve and Thermage. All of these options are popular because they are less invasive, relatively painless, do not require sedation and do not leave scarring. However, patients can experience various levels of temporary discomfort with each of these options. To follow are additional details on the pros each of these procedures.
Lipodissolve and Mesotherapy are similar, done by injecting targeted medicines into the mesoderm, the layer of fat and tissue underneath the skin. The solution is designed to block the alpha receptors of fat cells - those that create fat - while stimulating the beta receptors that break fat down. This method has not been shown to be effective for weight loss, but has received positive feedback for targeted fat reduction in small areas, particularly in the face and around the eyes. Lipodissolve, while experiencing popularity, has also been somewhat controversial due to a lack of supporting clinical research.
Thermage is a procedure that tightens the skin by promoting new collagen growth - it does not impact the muscles. The procedure is also not generally considered powerful enough to have much of an effect on the abdomen, rather being more useful when used on the face and neck.
Making the decision to undergo a plastic surgery procedure such as liposuction is a big one that should not be undertaken lightly. It's important to carefully evaluate your goals, all of your options and especially to heed the advice of your chosen cosmetic surgeon as an expert in the field.