Archive for February, 2009

by Victoria Rowde

Last year, an Italian/ Brazilian technology called laser liposuction received approval from the FDA as a method for removing fat in specific areas of the body. It seems that people no longer need to stick to the option of traditional liposuction. There is however, still a lot that we need to know about laser liposuction.

What is Laser Liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a form of minimal invasive procedure that may result to some bruising in patients. In this procedure, a very small incision is made into which a 1mm cannula is then inserted. The laser tip of the instrument then comes into contact with the fats, heats the fats up and breaks them down. The melted fat can then be removed from the body immediately.

The lymphatic system in our body can flush out and release fats that are not removed. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.

What It Is For

Laser liposuction is apparently not for everyone. Although some may claim that laser liposuction can work wonders on all parts of your body, it can only really work on limited areas. Only smaller areas like the face, neck and arms can be subjected to this laser treatment.

Just like traditional liposuction, laser liposuction is also simply a body sculpting procedure. It is therefore not a solution for obesity and cannot be used for weight loss. The appropriate candidates for this new technology are people who are fairly healthy and who have only small fat deposits.

The Advantages

Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there is less swelling, bruising, scarring, tissue damage and pain. The incision is said to be so small that a patient no longer needs to be stitched up. This means that the rate of recovery is faster. Patients can get back on their feet in a day or two.

Another advantage of laser liposuction is that it promotes collagen production and tightens the skin aside from merely melting body fats. This is a great improvement compared to traditional liposuction. In traditional liposuction, some patients end up looking worse because of a lack of ideal skin elasticity. Some doctors may use laser liposuction after sessions of traditional liposuction to help tighten the skin.

Risks

Not all areas of the body can be subjected to laser liposuction. Traditional liposuction may still be needed for wider body areas such as the hips and thighs. It is also still a very young piece of technology. Experts agree that more studies need to be conducted to determine the possible negative side effects of this procedure.

A more serious concern that especially deserves more attention in laser liposuction is also the probable negative effects of having more fat fluid being retained in the body. Of course, the FDA would not approve something that could be potentially dangerous. It is a fact though that the full long term side effects of the procedure cannot be determined yet until it has been in use for quite some time. Be on the safe side by asking your doctor to extensively discuss the procedure with you.

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by Charles Donovan

Very few people do not want to be their most beautiful self. In America we are constantly bombarded with images of beautiful, skinny people making us believe that people that look like that are the norm. The way people think about these images are one of the reasons that the demand for plastic surgery has increased so significantly the past several years. New, innovative procedures have also been developed in the beauty enhancement industry that actually eliminate the need for surgery – also increasing the demand. Many people want to get rid of excess weight and now a new noninvasive procedure exists to help them accomplish that goal, Lipodissolve. However, many people wonder how much a procedure like this costs, and whether or not it’s worth having it done.

The actual cost of lipodissolve is hard to pin point. It varies from person to person depending on the area of the body being targeted and how many treatments are necessary. The majority of the time multiple treatments are required to achieve the desired effect. In determining the cost of this procedure, as well as any risks etc, it is essential to speak with a knowledgeable doctor. He/she will best know what the expected costs, number of treatments you’ll need etc. are. If you are unable to locate a doctor or don’t want to go in initially – second best is to find someone who has already participated in the treatment. You can also search for information on the internet.

It is best to get your information on cost from a doctor. In fact, the more doctors that you meet with the better. By speaking to several doctors you will gain a very realistic idea of what the procedure will cost, as well as other questions you may have. Meeting with multiple professionals will enable you to make a more educated decision.

With those disclaimers in mind there are some basic guidelines you can use to determine if the the cost you are being quoted by a doctor is reasonable. The procedure typically runs between $300-$1500. It is a big range, but remember all the factors that must be taken into consideration and at least you know if a doctor is quoting you $5000 it’s probably a little high. If you are only targeting one area the cost will run from $300-$800 again depending on the area targeted as well as the number of treatments required. The most popular areas to target include, the back, thighs, arms and stomach. When you do speak with your doctor, make sure he is aware of the area/s that you are most concerned about and is able to give you a realistic price and outcome.

So as you can see, the cost for lipodissolve can be significantly cheaper than the cost for plastic surgery (which can many times cost thousands and thousands of dollars). However, this does not mean that the lipodissolve procedure is a ‘discount’ procedure that will not produce the same or better results than the traditional methods of plastic surgery.

Again, your doctor will be able to go into much more depth on the advantages and the disadvantages of both of the procedures. And remember, while almost everyone is looking to save a buck, having either procedure done at a discount doctor may not be your best option. If you are referred to such a doctor, also go to a more distinguished doctor so you can see both sides and so you can better understand all your options regarding lipodissolve.

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