Laser Lipo: Answering your FAQs
Posted April 21, 2016 in Practice News
Laser liposuction, or laser lipo for short, is a revolutionary procedure for removing excess fat. At Talbott Plastic Surgery Center, we use a high powered Lipotherme™ laser to sculpt the contours of the body. Our patients love this procedure because it is minimally invasive and requires little to no downtime for recovery.
Our patients tend to have many questions about laser lipo since it is a relatively new procedure. Keep reading for answers to the most commonly asked questions about laser lipo.
What is laser liposuction?
The clinical term for laser lipo is laser-assisted lipolysis. Laser lipo is a safe, effective procedure that uses a Lipotherme™ laser to liquify unwanted fat in targeted zones of the body. In addition to removing fat, the thermal effect of the Lipotherme™ laser causes the skin to contract, resulting in firmer and smoother skin to help you meet your body shaping goals.
How does laser lipo work?
First, the plastic surgeon administers a local anesthetic to numb the area where small incisions are made. The incisions are minimally invasive and placed in non-conspicuous areas. The plastic surgeon then inserts the laser (attached to a thin wand) under the skin and moves it back and forth through the tissues to liquify fat. The liquified fat is then either naturally metabolized and disposed of by the body, or drawn out using traditional liposuction to ensure that the fat is removed permanently. An added benefit of laser lipo is that the heat of the laser creates a tightening effect, which smoothes the skin.
What parts of the body can be treated with laser lipo?
Laser lipo is used to treat the following areas:
- Stomach
- Waist
- Back
- Love handles
- Inner thighs
- Outer thighs
- Hips
- Chin
- Cheeks
- Knees
- Arms
- Ankles
Who is a good candidate for laser lipo?
People who struggle with small pockets of excess fat that won’t go away with diet and exercise are the best candidates for laser lipo. If you have a healthy BMI but remain frustrated with small pockets excess fat that won’t go away, laser lipo may be a great solution for you. Pregnant women should not undergo this kind of treatment.
Is laser lipo the same as traditional liposuction?
Laser lipo is less invasive than traditional liposuction, and many patients prefer it because there is virtually no downtime. Traditional liposuction is highly invasive and requires a few days to a few weeks of downtime for recovery. Another benefit of laser lipo is that it can be used to treat areas that traditional liposuction can’t, like the bra line, chin, ankles, and knees. Depending on your goals, laser lipo can be used as an alternative to liposuction, or it can be used in combination with traditional liposuction. Talk to a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn which type of liposuction is best for your body.
How long does it take to see results?
It takes time for your body to metabolize and dispose of the liquified fat, so you’ll start to see results 1 to 4 weeks after the treatment. You’ll continue to see improvement over the next few months, and final results will be apparent six months after the treatment. If you or your physician is not satisfied with the results after six months, a “touch up” treatment may be performed.
Are the results permanent?
Laser lipo is considered a one-time treatment because it permanently liquifies and removes fat in targeted areas. A healthy lifestyle will allow you to maintain and even enhance your results. Any excess weight that you gain after the treatment will accumulate in areas that weren’t treated with laser lipo.
Is there a recovery period?
The recovery period for lawer lipo is incredibly short. Most patients can resume normal activities the day after their laser lipo treatment. Strenuous exercise and activities should be avoided for three days after your treatment. Patients love this procedure because it doesn’t require someone to “babysit” you while you recover, and most patients don’t need to take any time off of work.
Learn more about laser liposuction Reno and find out if this procedure is right for you by consulting with board certified plastic surgeon. Contact Talbott Plastic Surgery Center to schedule a consultation or learn more about our highly effective liposuction and body contouring services!
