Los Angeles Liposuction: Common Questions from Patients

In Southern California and Los Angeles, liposuction is often the subject of many celebrity news stories. Today I thought I’d take a moment to discuss a few common questions my staff and I receive regarding liposuction, laser liposuction, and Smartlipo™.

Are some areas of the body resistant to, or inappropriate for, liposuction?

Certainly, some areas of the body are more difficult to treat, particularly areas like the “love handles” or lower back where fat is interspersed between fibrous muscle tissue. However, virtually all areas of the body can be treated with liposuction. Some liposuction technologies are better than others for treating particular areas, and sometimes a combination of technologies produces the most favorable result. A qualified plastic surgeon can determine how to help you reach your personal aesthetic goals.

What is the difference between traditional and tumescent liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is performed under general anesthesia, using an instrument to dislodge and remove fatty tissue. Tumescent liposuction improves upon this technique through the use of large volumes of saline, anesthesia, and adrenaline injected into the treatment area to create a fluid “pocket” surrounding the fatty deposits. The injection of tumescent fluid makes the fat cells easier to separate and remove from the body. Practically all plastic surgeons use the tumescent technique these days because it makes the surgery and recovery period easier.

Is Smartlipo an alternative to tumescent liposuction?

No, Smartlipo is not an alternative to tumescent liposuction. Instead, it is one of many different techniques to be used during tumescent liposuction to dissolve or destroy fat in target areas. These techniques include mechanical disruption (PAL), ultrasound dissolution (UAL), or laser lipolysis.

Smartlipo uses bursts of laser energy to liquefy fat cells, which are then removed with a suction device. The laser energy also seals blood vessels, which can help reduce bruising, swelling, and healing time. As an added benefit, the procedure stimulates collagen production and causes tissues to contract, leaving skin looking tightened and toned. It’s an excellent technology for removing small areas of localized fat—or as an adjunct to other liposuction technologies.

My focus is on positive patient outcomes, and I always strive to use the best approach, including new techniques and technologies, to meet each patient’s unique aesthetic needs.

Tags: liposuction los angeles, laser liposuction, los angeles liposuction, smartlipo, southern california liposuction

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Liposuction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.