Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure intended to remove fat deposits and shape the body. Fat is removed from under the skin with the use of a vacuum-suction cannula (a hollow pen-like instrument) or using an ultrasonic probe that emulsifies (breaks up into small pieces) the fat and then removes it with suction.

Persons with localized fat may decide to have liposuction to remove fat from that area. Liposuction is a procedure for shaping the body and is not recommended for weight loss.

Liposuction may be performed on the abdomen, hips, thighs, calves, arms, buttocks, back, neck, or face. A liposuction procedure may include more than one site, for instance, the abdomen, back, and thighs all on the same day.

Liposuction is also used to reduce breast size in men with large breasts (gynecomastia) or to remove fat tumors (lipomas) but it is most commonly used for cosmetic body shaping.

Because liposuction is a surgical procedure, it is important that it be performed in a clean environment. Emergencies may arise during any surgery and access to emergency medical equipment and/or a nearby hospital emergency room is important.

Types of Liposuction

There are currently four different types of liposuction procedures you can get: tumescent liposuction, the super-wet technique, ultrasound-assisted liposuction, and laser-assisted liposuction.

Tumescent liposuction, or power-assisted (PAL)

Tumescent liposuction, or power-assisted (PAL), is almost the same as super-wet liposuction. The difference is that the super-wet technique uses less fluid than tumescent liposuction. This type of liposuction is the most common, but it also takes more time.

Laser-assisted liposuction liquefies fat cells using lasers. The surgeon vacuums out the cells, or the liquid drains through a series of tubes. This type of liposuction works best for acute areas like the face, chin, or neck.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (Vaser-lipo)

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (Vaser-lipo) liquefies fat in the same way as laser-assisted, but it does so with ultrasonic vibrations instead of lasers. It’s perfect for adults who want to lose a bit of stubborn fat fast and can be used on all areas of the body, such as the stomach, thighs, love handles, and neck. It’s also a great route to take when treating gynecomastia (a feminine male chest) and safely collecting the good fats without damaging them when transferring fat to the buttocks or breasts.

Vaser liposuction is a type of liposuction procedure that uses ultrasound technology to remove unwanted fat from the body. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the targeted area of the body, and ultrasound waves are used to liquefy the fat cells. The liquefied fat is then removed using a small suction device.

Vaser liposuction is often preferred over traditional liposuction because it is less invasive and has a shorter recovery time. It is also able to selectively target fat cells while leaving other tissues, such as blood vessels and nerves, relatively intact.

J-Plasma  (Helium/radiofrequency)

J-Plasma is a liposuction technique that uses a device called the Renuvion Cosmetic Technology System. This device uses a combination of helium and radiofrequency energy to create a “plasma” field that can be used to remove unwanted fat. During the procedure, a small incision is made in the skin, and a cannula (a thin tube) is inserted. The cannula is connected to the Renuvion device, which delivers the helium and radiofrequency energy. The energy causes the fat cells to heat up and break down, while the helium helps to cool the skin, preventing burns. The broken-down fat cells are then suctioned out of the body through the cannula. J-Plasma liposuction is considered a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. It can be used to target specific areas of fat, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and arms. It is advertised as a body contouring option that can also tighten the skin. It’s important to note that J-Plasma liposuction is still a relatively new procedure and that long-term safety and effectiveness data is still being collected.

The super-wet liposuction

The super-wet liposuction technique injects small volumes of fluid into the body. This fluid contains a numbing agent, a blood vessel contractor, and a salt solution. The surgeon then sucks out the fat using the fluid’s ingredients for a quicker and relatively pain-free procedure.

Price and Cost of Liposuction

The cost of liposuction will vary based on;

• the technique used (tumescent, laser etc)
• the areas covered (whole body, small area)
• whether it is a day procedure or an overnight stay.