In many ways, liposuction is an amazing procedure: you get to minimize stubborn fat that you’re not able to get rid of with diet or exercise. You also get a toned, sculpted look when you choose a highly skilled liposuction surgeon. But there can be a downside: For many, liposuction seems like an invasive and intense surgical procedure. However, are you aware of the less invasive liposuction options that are available today? Modern technology allows us to offer you minimally invasive liposuction that still has the benefits or removing unwanted fat, but with the potential for a shorter recovery, less bruising, and less discomfort.
The advantages of less invasive liposuction
Why would someone choose to have minimally invasive liposuction? There are many reasons. First of all, minimally invasive liposuction can be done with less anesthesia when compared to more invasive lipo, in most cases. This is important because patients who have lighter anesthesia are generally able to go home more quickly, feel better once they wake up, and are less likely to experience side effects of heavier anesthesia like nausea. Second of all, there tends to be a smaller amount of bruising and swelling with less invasive liposuction. This is because when the traditional and more aggressive forms of lipo are used, more surrounding tissue is damaged. With minimally invasive lipo like Vaser, the fat is gently removed with less trauma to the area. Finally, the recovery process with less invasive liposuction can be very short. Patients go home the same day, and many find they need a weekend or a few days before they can return to work or other non-strenuous activities.
The disadvantages of less invasive liposuction
With all the advantages of minimally invasive liposuction, are there any disadvantages? One potential disadvantage is that some providers may not be well-trained in the new liposuction techniques. Your results with the most modern and innovative liposuction equipment can only be as good as the surgeon performing the procedure. There is no guarantee that minimally invasive lipo will give you good results, so surgeon choice is incredibly important. There is a risk that people may be less vigilant in choosing a great doctor because they think the less invasive techniques are “easier”. However, we can assure you that surgeon skill is incredibly important for these minimally invasive techniques. When done incorrectly, minimally invasive liposuction can have serious consequences including infection, loss of sensation, and even tissue death.
The advantages of traditional liposuction
Many people think of the advantages of traditional liposuction in relation to being able to remove larger amounts of fat than you can with a minimally invasive option like Vaser lipo. However, when done correctly, less invasive liposuction options can be used to remove larger areas of fat, especially when we target the abdomen, back, hips, or thighs. These minimally invasive options can also target the smallest of areas like the chin or jawline.
The disadvantages of traditional liposuction
The disadvantages of traditional liposuction start with the need for deeper anesthesia in many cases. Because traditional lipo is a more aggressive, extreme procedure, you need to be in a deeper sleep to stay comfortable. When people wake up from deeper anesthesia they may be more likely to feel dizzy and nauseous. They also may need longer before they can return home. Additionally, the recovery period after traditional liposuction is often longer and more uncomfortable. After the more invasive types of lipo, patients generally have more bruising and swelling, since the procedure is more likely to damage surrounding tissue. Traditional liposuction often cannot be used for delicate areas like the chin or neck.
How is Vaser liposuction different than other types of liposuction?
While there are several good options for performing minimally invasive liposuction, for many of our patients we recommend Vaser liposuction. Our experience has shown us that this treatment is safe and effective, with excellent results and minimal downtime. The techniques we can use with Vaser liposuction are gentle and refined. Vaser allows us to use ultrasound to break up the fat before removing it, so the fat removal process is gentle and precise, especially compared to traditional forms of liposuction.
What areas of the body can you treat with less invasive liposuction?
We can target a large number of areas with minimally invasive liposuction, from the smallest areas like the chin to large areas like the buttocks. Here are some of the common areas we treat with less invasive liposuction:
- Jowls
- Chin and neck
- Upper arms including inner and outer arm areas, as well as the shoulders
- Breast area in males and females, as well as chest contouring
- Back including ‘bra rolls’
- Abdomen
- Hips, waist, or ‘love handles’
- Buttocks
- Legs including thighs, knees, and ankles
Why is minimally invasive liposuction more gentle?
The first reason that minimally invasive liposuction is much more gentle than traditional liposuction is that we are not relying simply on force to break up the fat. Instead, we first use ultrasound to break up the targeted area of fat. This means that the physical removal of that fat can be much more gentle, reducing trauma and damage to the surrounding tissue. Additionally, our less invasive liposuction treatments are performed with very thin tubes that need the smallest of incisions to use.
How quickly will I recover after less invasive liposuction?
With a minimally invasive liposuction option like Vaser, most patients find they need just a few days of rest before they’re doing many of their normal activities. We will ask you to refrain from more vigorous activities like exercise for several weeks, depending on where you have your liposuction done. We may have you wear compression garments to promote healing and reduce swelling. Although you should be feeling good fairly quickly after minimally invasive liposuction, it is important to expect that you will not see your final results right away. There can be residual swelling for weeks after your procedure, so you will need to wait for all the swelling to dissipate until you see your truly final results.
Less invasive liposuction is a great option for people who are hoping to reduce select areas of fat that have been resistant to diet and exercise. Treatments like Vaser liposuction are not only safe but highly effective for many patients. If you would like to find out more about minimally invasive liposuction, please get in touch with us.
