Body fat on an adult tends to increase gradually over the years.

After the age of 30, an individual often gains fat according to a genetically pre-determined pattern. For example, the abdomen, hips and the area under the chin are places where fat begins to accumulate in adults.

Fat in these areas is often resistant to diet or exercise. After pregnancy, for example, the fat on the abdomen and hips may persist despite concerted efforts at dieting and exercising.

Liposuction can help. For many people who have an inherited tendency to accumulate localized deposits of fat, liposuction seems the best means of significantly changing the body’s silhouette.

In effect, liposuction surgery is equivalent to being able to focus the effects of dieting to specific areas of the body. There are several different types of liposuction including Traditional, Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL), Ultrasonic and the latest revolutionary technique, SmartLipo™.

Traditional Liposuction
This process involves the use of a small stainless steel tube, called a cannula. The cannula is connected to a powerful suction pump and inserted into the fat through small incisions in the skin. Fat removal is accomplished as the suction cannula creates tiny tunnels through the fatty layers.

After liposuction surgery, these tiny tunnels collapse and thus result in an improved body contour. After surgery, bandages are applied to keep pressure on the area and stop any bleeding, as well as to help maintain shape. Bandages are usually kept in place for at least two weeks.

Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)
This process utilizes a motorized cannula that mechanizes the natural movement of the cannula allowing the surgeon to remove fat cells more rapidly, creating a smoother, more natural appearance in the patient after lipo-suction surgery.

The moving cannula is able to remove fat while being held in one place. This provides a more precise way to sculpt sensitive areas of the body. Because of the motion of the cannula, it passes much more easily through the tissues. Other advantages of PAL include the use of smaller incisions and less operative time, thereby reducing the length of anesthesia.

Ultrasonic Liposuction (UAL)
This is a procedure that uses high-pitched sound waves to liquefy or “melt” fat in a specific area before it is removed. UAL is a type of liposuction that is primarily used for fat removal in hard-to-treat areas such as the chin, neck, cheeks, knees, calves and ankles.

The first step in the UAL procedure is the injection of tumescent fluid, a mixture of anesthetic, saltwater solution and epinephrine, into the area being treated. This helps prevent fluid loss during the fat removal process and makes the fat deposits easier to remove.

During UAL, fat removal is initiated by sound waves produced by a generator. The ultrasonic waves are then transmitted to the cannula. When the cannula comes into contact with the fat cells, they quickly liquefy and are easily vacuumed out.

SmartLipo™
A revolutionary new technology called SmartLipo™ recently made its debut, and works by melting fat and permanently tightening the skin.

This is the first laser-assisted liposuction system that vaporizes fat without the need to perform painful suctioning. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat using a high-powered laser to sculpt body contours and tighten skin with less downtime and side effects.

SmartLipo™ is ideal for treating small areas, especially for patients who have localized fat deposits but very lax overlying skin which would have been made worse with traditional liposuction.

It works by inserting a very small cannula with a laser fiber into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth as the laser’s energy is delivered directly to the fat cells, making them rupture and drain away. In addition, as the laser energy interacts with the dermis (skin) it results in skin shrinkage or tightening.

Due to the small size of the cannula, SmartLipo™ is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The procedure causes less bleeding, swelling and bruising, resulting in a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction methods because the laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate – or clot – immediately on contact.

SmartLipo™ is ideal for treating small areas of the face, neck, arms, breasts, abdomen, love handles, saddlebags and areas of loose and flabby skin. Additionally, the procedure will improve the body’s shape and may improve cellulite to a certain degree.

Set Reasonable Expectations and Realistic Goals
Liposuction surgery is not meant to change a size 16 to a size 8. On the other hand, if there are shapes, bulges and contours that don’t seem to change much regardless of the patient’s weight or level of fitness, liposuction could be the solution.

It is not always possible to “spot weight reduce” or change the unattractive shapes that have been inherited, like full “saddlebags” or love handles. But, liposuction can sculpt away these unpleasant shapes that dieting won’t remove.

Roger Bassin, M.D., is a board certified Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic surgeon who specializes in eyelid and facial plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery. For more information, visit online at www.bassinplasticsurgery.com or call (321) 723-9558.