Liposuction means a major surgical procedure to most people. What is less well known is that it can be carried out in a safe, gentle and comfortable manner.
In 2012 we acquired the newest fat melting laser from Italy. Laser liposuction is a well-known and established procedure. What is unique about this laser is its ability to melt fat which is 10 times more than the older lasers. This is the first such laser unit in use in the UK. It helps to tighten skin and reduces bruising at the same time. More recently we have acquired a second liposuction laser for faster fat melting and skin tightening.
Laser lipolysis and liposuction video
Who is suitable for laser liposuction?
Anyone with resistant pockets of fat that do not go away despite diet and exercise. You have to be in good general health without significant medical problems and near your ideal body weight. This is not a weight loss measure but a body sculpting or contouring treatment.
What areas are commonly treated with liposuction?
Mummy tummy, upper and lower abdomen, cheeks, jowls and neck, love handles, muffin tops, hips, man boobs or moobs, upper arms, thighs, knees and most other body areas with localised collections of fat.
What happens during the liposuction procedure?
You will have a medical consultation and treatment plan will be discussed. Dr Gheyi will then mark the area to be treated with you looking in the mirror. Your wishes and desires will dictate the extent of the procedure and this will be agreed beforehand. A detailed consent procedure will take place.
1] Tumescent anesthesia-Fine needles will be used to administer a very dilute solution of local anaesthesia while you will be chatting with the team. The advantages of this technique are-
it avoids use of general anaesthesia
in-office procedure. Hospitalisation is not required
large areas can be safely anaesthetised
it constricts blood vessels minimising bleeding
it results in prolonged pain relief after the procedure
fluid washes out gradually and reduces chance of blood collection [haematoma]
it is antibacterial and reduces possibilty of infection
2] Laser lipolysis-A tiny 0.6 mm laser fibre will then be introduced into the treatment area. The laser will be activated after you have worn the eye protection. You will not feel any pain. The laser will melt the fat. The procedure is stopped here for small areas of fat or to tighten lax skin. Laser lipolysis has following advantages-
it selectively heats and melts fat
it coagulates blood vessels further reducing any chance of bleeding
it heats deeper layers of skin helping to tighten skin
it reduces cellulite and improves skin texture
it achieves all these with minimal trauma to the tissues
3] Microcanula liposculpture- Precise removal of fat to sculpt body shape. For larger area small stainless steel tubes [micro cannula] will be used to suck out melted fat
4] Tumescent Liposuction- Following this you will be able to stand up and look at your new body contour in a mirror. Compression garments will then be applied and you will be able to go home. You will need someone to drive you home. Microcanulas are much smaller in size then larger cannula used for liposuction under general anaesthesia. Typical cannula size is less than 2 mm in diameter. The advantages of this technique are-
small incisions in the skin which heal faster and better
less trauma to the tissues, less chance of injury to important structures
minimal bleeding and no requirement for blood transfusion
less post treatment pain
faster recovery
smoother and uniform results
What happens after the liposuction procedure?
You will have dressings and tight compression garments for 24 hours. After this the dressings can be removed and gentle compression used for further 3-5 days. You are encouraged to go for a light walk and bed rest in not recommended. Most people return to normal activities within 2-5 days. Slight degree of soreness-similar to sore muscles after unaccustomed exercise is common.
Why are liposculpture, laser lipolysis or liposuction under tumescent local anaesthesia better?
No general anaesthesia, less invasive, less bruising, quicker recovery and more skin tightening are some of the many advantages. In addition the skin puncture sites are much smaller than liposuction under general anaesthesia or ultrasound assisted liposuction [UAL] such as vaser. There is also less risk of seromas [collection of fluid], or numbness of skin after the procedure.
What liposuction alternatives are available?
Mesotherapy injections can help melt fat, a non-surgical, non-invasive solution is ultrasound and radiofrequency fat reduction.
What other liposuction technology is available?
A variety of machines have been used to improve liposculpture technique. We believe that tumescent liposuction with microcanulas is safer and gentler. Moderen technology can help improve our results. Most widely used machines in recent years involve lasers. Other methods use ultrasound which may be external or internal [ eg vaser], external low level lasers [ eg zerona] or internal or external radio-frequency [eg, bodytite, facetite].
What are the costs of laser lipolysis and liposuction?
Laser Liposuction from £ 3750
