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One of the new forms of liposuction surgery is laser lipo. This FDA-approved method is used to remove fat from specific areas (areas that are traditionally challenging) with a minimum amount of risk.
How Laser Lipo Works
This form of liposuction uses a minimally invasive procedure to insert the cannula (a reed like, stainless steel device, which is usually 1mm long) into a very small incision.
The tip on the cannula is then used to heat up the fat (it does this with the laser) and the liquefied fat is then removed either by the cannula immediately or by the patient’s lymphatic system at a later time.
Since the surgeon makes such small incisions to perform the surgery, there is no need for generalized anesthesia; as a result, there is significantly less risk since the surgeon is using a local anesthetic.
Where is Laser Lipo Most Effective
While some people insist this procedure can be used on any part of the body, it is most effectively used on smaller body parts. As an example, it is most effective on a person’s face, arms, and neck. In addition, since this procedure targets smaller body parts, it is worth mentioning this procedure is not used to remove high volumes of excess body fat.
Advantages and Risks
The primary advantage of laser lipo is its reduced recovery time, which is due to the use of a local anesthetic and small incisions. The incisions are so small that they don’t even need to be sutured up after the surgery.
Another advantage of laser lipo is the heat from the laser promotes collagen production, which leads to tightened skin. This becomes even more of an advantage for patients who are over forty years old, since these patients begin to lose a lot of their skin elasticity. Oftentimes, a cosmetic surgeon will use laser lipo after another form of liposuction to tighten the patient’s skin.
While these 2 advantages are huge, there are also risks associated with laser lipo. The primary risk, as with any surgical procedure where the patient’s skin is broken, is the fact that the patient could get an infection (this is why many surgeons will prescribe antibiotics as a precaution).
The remaining significant risk of this surgery is an adverse effect of the anesthesia. If you think you are even remotely allergic to Novocain or any other pain management medicine, it is critical that you let your surgeon know.