Different Types of Liposuction

Liposuction reshapes the body by breaking up fat cells which are then removed and/or naturally excreted from the body. Out of the many different types of liposuction, the most popular are as follows:

• Tumescent liposuction involves the injection of a large amount of fluid into the treatment area. This makes it easier to remove the fat via a suction device connected to a cannula.
• Laser liposuction, also known as liposculpture, uses laser energy to break up the fat cells. The fat cells are then removed with a cannula.
• Ultrasonic-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) liquefies fat through the use of ultrasonic waves. It is very effective in treating the upper abdomen, sides and back.
• Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL) is the traditional method used to perform liposuction. The technique involves inserting a cannula into a surgical incision. The cannula is then moved back and forth to destroy and liquefy the fat cells so they can be suctioned out of the treatment area.

Ideal Candidates

A GOOD CANDIDATE for different types of liposuction includes:

• Patients with small pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise
• Men or women within 30% of their ideal weight
• Patients with firm, elastic skin and good muscle tone
• Patients with realistic expectations

The following patients are NOT GOOD CANDIDATES for different types of liposuction:

• Patients who are overweight or obese
• Those who have a large amount of fat they wish to have removed
• Patients with excessively loose or hanging skin
• Older patients with less skin laxity and those who already have stretch marks

How is Tumescent Liposuction Performed?

Tumescent liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis and usually under local anesthesia. During the procedure, the treatment area is infiltrated with a mixture of saline, epinephrine and lidocaine. This tumescent fluid numbs the area by constricting the blood flow and engorges the area for easier fat removal. The surgeon makes tiny incisions and then inserts the cannula to break up the fat. The cannula is connected to a vacuum-like device that suctions out the fluid and fat through the holes in the cannula.

How is Laser Liposuction Performed?

Laser liposuction is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The surgeon makes tiny incisions in the treatment area and inserts a cannula which houses a fiber optic laser. The heat from the laser melts the targeted fat into a liquefied state. The fat is either drained from the body through tiny incisions or is gently suctioned away. The heat also causes the surrounding tissue to contract which results in skin tightening.

How is Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) Performed?

UAL is when ultrasonic sound waves are used to melt fat deposits. The first step is the injection of tumescent fluid to help prevent any fluid loss during the fat removal process. Then, ultrasonic waves are produced by a generator. The waves are transmitted to a cannula and, when the cannula comes into contact with the fat cells, the fat cells liquefy and are vacuumed out.

How is Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL) Performed?

Suction-assisted liposuction (SAL) is a traditional liposuction method that removes fat cells from the body. A cannula is placed in the fat pockets of the body through tiny incisions. The cannula is attached to a device that operates much like a vacuum. The surgeon then pushes and pulls the cannula through the fat layers in order to destroy the fat cells. Once they are broken up and/or destroyed, the fat cells are suctioned out of the body.

Alternative Treatment

CoolSculpting is different from liposuction since nothing is inserted or removed from the body. An external device is applied to certain areas of the skin which can suction or pull the skin and fat into it. The fat is kept at a very cold temperature for a certain amount of time. This causes the fat cells to become damaged and some of them to expire. The body will eventually absorb the expired fat cells and digest them.

What is the Cost of the Different Types of Liposuction?

The cost of liposuction depends on the type of liposuction performed and how much fat is removed. The cost also varies thanks to any anesthesia costs and the geographic location of the treatment. The prices ranges are:

• Tumescent liposuction can range between $3000 and $9500
• Laser liposuction is between $2500 and $7500
• UAL can range from $5500-$8500
• SAL is in the range of $3000-$5500

Recovery and Downtime

RECOVERY after liposuction is relatively the same for all techniques as the patient can expect some bruising, swelling and soreness after the procedure. The length of recovery time depends on the treatment area and the volume of fat cells removed. However, it generally stands at two weeks for the various techniques. Pain medications can be taken to ease discomfort and a compression garment, worn on the treatment site, will help maintain the swelling and aid with skin shrinkage. This compression garment will be worn 24 hours a day, except when showering, for several weeks. Small drainage tubes may be under the skin at the incision site to excrete excess fluid but they will be removed a few days after surgery. Since the incisions are usually very small, stitches are not typically used.

In terms of DOWNTIME, most patients can return to light duty work within a few days after liposuction. They can usually resume normal activities within two to three weeks. Heavy exercise should be avoided for at least six weeks or until the doctor states otherwise.

Results 

The results vary according to the type of liposuction. Most patients begin to see some results after the majority of the swelling has subsided. Patients can usually see a better silhouette after a week or two with laser liposuction and three to four weeks with other forms of liposuction. In general, final results are likely to be seen at six to nine months. Since the fat cells removed from the treated area of the body can never come back, the results from the different types of liposuction are permanent.

Limitations of the Different Types of Liposuction

• Some limitations of the different types of liposuction are:
• The amount of fat that can be removed
• The amount of skin shrinking or tightening that can occur
• Any patient with excess skin may be limited by what liposuction can accomplish on its own
• Patients with a significant amount of intra-abdominal fat may be limited from liposuction until they can lose a little weight

Risks of the Different Types of Liposuction 

The risks of the different types of liposuction include:

• Reaction to the anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Damage to the deeper structures
• Blood clots
• Deep venous thrombosis
• Infection
• Scarring
• Numbness
• Seroma
• Changes in skin sensation
• Poor wound healing
• Fat necrosis
• Uneven fat removal
• Lumps or ripples in the area where the fat was removed
• Loose skin
• Thermal burn or heat injury from laser liposuction

Deciding Which of the Different Types of Liposuction to Undergo

It may be difficult for patients to decide which liposuction procedure is the better option for them. While all of the procedures can provide a contoured body, each one is performed in a different enough manner to require additional research on the part of the patient. To achieve the best possible results, patients should meet with a board-certified surgeon who specializes in the different types of liposuction and performs them regularly. The doctor can perform an examination and determine which type of liposuction will best help patients achieve their desired results.

Written by Cosmetic Town Editorial Team - MA

Based on an exclusive interview with Julio Garcia, MD in Las Vegas, NV