| Much of the marketing for laser liposuction, | | | | results are visible and the surgery is purely elective. |
| liposculpture and body sculpting give the impression | | | | Only a medical license is required to perform cosmetic |
| that the new procedure is a safe, risk free, painless | | | | surgery in this country. If you are considering |
| and quick procedure. I have read and heard claims | | | | liposculpture or body contouring surgery, do your |
| that you can have your procedure done under local | | | | homework and check out the credentials of your |
| anesthesia, lose your fat, tighten your skin, and go | | | | surgeon. |
| on with your life, even back to work, the same day. | | | | Major Benefits |
| If it sounds too good to be true it usually is-we all | | | | I do enthusiastically endorse the new laser assisted |
| know that. | | | | technique as a revolutionary advance in technology. |
| The perception that laser liposuction is easy to do | | | | The laser technique is the only one I now use in my |
| has also encouraged some professionals without | | | | practice. The advantages are very clear in my |
| surgical training or no formal training in aesthetic | | | | anecdotal experience and are:o Skin Tighteningo |
| surgery to offer this this new procedure to patients | | | | Smoother skino Less bleedingo Less traumao Quicker |
| in their practice or Spa. | | | | recovery |
| While I enthusiastically support laser liposuction as a | | | | I predict that this new technique will set the standard |
| revolutionary new advance in plastic surgery, it is still | | | | for liposculpture and body contouring results in the |
| a surgical procedure. All surgical procedures have risks | | | | future. |
| and the potential for complications. | | | | How to Choose a Surgeon |
| Many of the risks of laser liposuction are those | | | | I admit up front that I am prejudiced in my opinion |
| associated with any traditional suction procedure. | | | | because I am a board certified plastic surgeon. |
| However, the introduction of heat by the laser during | | | | Liposculpture with or without the laser is a surgical |
| liposuction poses some newer potential complications. | | | | procedure and as with heart surgery, brain surgery or |
| If the fiber is placed too close to the skin for too | | | | any other type of surgery, if I am having surgery I |
| long, or one area is treated to aggressively, there is | | | | am going to do my homework and find the best |
| risk of thermal injury, a burn can occur. | | | | board certified surgeon I can find to perform my |
| | | | operation. |
| Risks of Laser Liposuctiono Skin Burns-Laser | | | | Board certified plastic surgeons spend many years in |
| liposuction utilizes laser energy to heat fat and liquefy | | | | training and have to have several years of |
| fat. This makes fat removal easier. In my experience | | | | experience and have to demonstrate their |
| with laser liposuction skin burns are very rare and are | | | | knowledge, experience and skill to pass their board |
| easily avoided by proper technique.o Skin Loss-Too | | | | examinations. Surgery is a technical, manual as well as |
| aggressive use of the laser too near the skin can | | | | intellectual task, and most doctors that possess |
| create a burn and the overlying skin can be damaged | | | | these fine motor qualities are drawn to surgical |
| and lost. Again, technique and experience are key to | | | | training and specialty. |
| avoiding this complication.o Bleeding-In my experience | | | | There are also doctors who are not board certified |
| bleeding is less with new laser liposuction procedure | | | | plastic surgeons that are skilled and experienced at |
| than with standard liposuction. But bleeding can occur | | | | this technique, most commonly board certified |
| as with any surgical procedure.o Infection-Infection | | | | dermatologists trained in dermatologic surgery. Just |
| can occur with any invasive procedure. Since the | | | | do your homework and make certain your doctor is |
| laser fiber is inserted underneath the skin, sterile | | | | trained and experienced. |
| operating room precautions and antibiotic coverage | | | | I always recommend that patients do the following |
| are necessary.o Anesthetic Risks-Several well | | | | when considering plastic surgery:o Consult 2 board |
| publicized deaths after liposculpture and suction body | | | | certified surgeonso Ask the doctor how experienced |
| contouring were caused by overdose of lidocaine, the | | | | he/she is at the procedure you are consideringo Ask |
| anesthetic used to control pain during the procedure. | | | | to see photos of their surgical resultso Ask to speak |
| Training and experience are keys to avoiding this.o | | | | to one of their patients who have had the surgeryo |
| Contour Deformities-Wavy lines, depressions and | | | | Go online and check the doctors credentialso Ask |
| lumps or bumps in the skin occur in 20% of standard | | | | your family doctor about the reputation and skill of |
| liposuction patients. These contour deformities are | | | | the doctor you are consideringo Ask your friends |
| caused by irregular fat removal and fat removal too | | | | about the reputation of the doctoro Read about the |
| close to the surface of the skin. In my experience | | | | procedure you are considering-an excellent resource |
| contour deformities are much less common with new | | | | is The American Society of Plastic Surgeons |
| laser assisted procedure. I believe this is because fat | | | | Plastic surgery can create very beautiful results when |
| is dissolved by the laser and fat removal is less | | | | the proper procedure is done on a properly selected |
| traumatic.o Loose Skin-Loose skin after liposculpture | | | | appropriate patient. If you are considering any type |
| or body contouring and fat removal has always been | | | | of plastic surgery do your homework. Read more |
| the major drawback to high volume fat removal in | | | | about the procedure you are interested in. Study the |
| older patients with poor skin elasticity. The major | | | | bio and credentials of the board certified plastic |
| advance with the new laser assisted procedure is | | | | surgeons in your area. Be an informed consumer. |
| that the heat from the laser tightens the skin. In my | | | | An educated patient has the best chance of |
| experience loose skin is very uncommon with the | | | | obtaining a happy and satisfying result. The websites |
| new procedure. However, technique and experience | | | | of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) |
| are important to avoid loose skin after fat removal.o | | | | and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic |
| Inexperienced or untrained Doctor-Specialized surgical | | | | Surgery (ASAPS) have excellent, honest information. |
| training, technical skill, aesthetic knowledge and | | | | By visiting these websites you can learn about the |
| judgment, and experience are necessary to achieve | | | | various procedures and find board certified plastic |
| a good result in any type of surgery. This is especially | | | | surgeons in your area. |
| true in an aesthetic procedure like liposculpture where | | | | |