Liposuction Rancho Mission Viejo

What is the difference between different types of liposuction: Liposuction the term originally used for removal of fat under the skin using a suctioning device. Therefore, traditional liposuction is referred to as suction assisted lipectomy. The technique utilizes small cannulas (metal hollow tubes that have different shape “blades‚Äù) and a vacuum assisted device (suction with a specific magnitude or millimeter of mercury) to remove fat cells from under the skin. The surgeon moves the cannulas back and forth in multiple orientations and removes the superficial and deep layer of fat.

Advances in technology have resulted in implementation of different energy sources such as ultrasound wave or laser (witha specific wavelength) to remove the fat. Ultrasound assisted liposuction and VASER uses ultrasound energy to destroy the fat cells membranes (walls) by a process called cavitation before liposuctioning the fat. “Smart lipo‚Äù is a laser assisted lipolysis, it uses a fiber optic laser to melt or dissolve the fat cells and can be combined with liposuction in difficult areas. Laser assisted technology uses laser frequency and the energy emitted may damage the nerves and the skin if not done properly. Both ultrasound and laser energy can generate heat and cause thermal injury. VASER (using ultrasound energy) and laser assisted liposuction can minimize blood loss when a very large amount of liposuction is required (more than 5 liters). Some areas of the body such as upper back and depending of the skin elasticity may benefit from the newer type of liposuction. If the liposuction procedure is done by a well trained and experience plastic surgeon the same result can be achieved no matter what type of technology is used. The type of liposuction recommended depends on the experience of the plastic surgeon and body type. Suction assisted lipectomy does not cause any thermal injury because it does not generate heat.

Another advancement in liposuction technique is the use of a wetting solution as opposed to dry technique when the first liposuction was done. In order to minimize blood loss different wetting solutions have been developed both in constituents and quantity. When no wetting solution was used the amount of blood loss was significant. With addition of epinephrine (a vasoconstriction that causes blood vessels to shrink temporarily and lidocaine (causes temporary numbness to reduce pain) to the wetting solution, the amount of blood loss and bruising as well as discomfort has been reduced significantly. The amount of fluid infiltrated or infused in relation to the amount of fat removed (the ratio) describes classifies the technique into wet (minimal) super wet (1:1) and tumescent (3:1). When the procedure is done under general anesthesia super wet technique is used and tumescent technique is under local anesthesia.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Liposuction?

Most men and women have at least one area in the body that has retained fat, which may result from a genetic origin or life style and has not responded to diet and exercise. Liposuction is often the only way to improve these areas of the body. Each patient’s candidacy for a liposuction procedure is determined by many factors including: medical history, procedure expectations, and their skin tone and elasticity.

Ideal candidate: Someone with stubborn excess fat in areas such as abdomen, waist, back, arms, thighs, or pubic region that has been resistant to excessive and dieting.

One who is in a relatively good health (no bleeding, major cardiac/heart, pulmonary/lung, renal/kidney or central nervous disorder).

Must have good skin tone or elasticity without significant excess skin or saggy skin.

Safety tips: Make sure your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Must do the procedure in a fully accredited facility if done in an outpatient surgery center. Limit the amount of liposuction to less than 5 litters in an outpatient setting. Must be an ideal candidate.