subject: Which Liposuction Technique Is Best? [print this page] Liposuction is a current popular trend from New York to California, as well as other highly populated areas. Though it is considered a potential health risk and can be costly, liposuction can provide a quick, accessible method to weight loss for certain problem areas.
Today, there are several liposuction techniques available. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. One technique may not be right for everyone, so it is important to contact your physician and your surgeon for advice on which technique will be best for you.
Before speaking with your physician and your surgeon, you should also ask yourself which technique you can afford, the area you want treated, your limit for pain, the most favorable recovery period, and the potential risks included.
The Tumescent technique is one popular liposuction technique. Through this technique, the selected fat tissue is injected with lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (capillary constrictor) until the tissue becomes rigid and swollen. Some positive aspects of this technique include that there is no need for general anesthesia or any sedative, thus allowing the patient to avoid the nausea associated with liposuction. Furthermore, this technique generally produces smoother results.
Another popular technique is Ultrasonic Lipoplasty. This technique similarly requires tumescent fluid, but unlike the tumescent technique, distributes ultrasonic energy into the fat of the selected area. Ultrasonic lipoplasty is a gentler procedure and can treat some areas that the tumescent technique cannot. Also, less pain occurs in ultrasonic patients than tumescent. Adversely, this method requires larger incisions.
Laser Assisted Lipolysis (LAL) is a newer technique which uses tumescent fluid and laser energy into the chosen fatty region. This method, like the tumescent technique, does not require general anesthesia. It is also known to enhance tissue tightening, and reduce downtime and morbidity.
Another advantage is that it usually reduces bleeding. However, this technique is one of the more costly techniques available.
Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) involve instruments which generate a rapid in-and-out motion or spinning revolution of an attached cannula, or small hollow tube, to suck out the undesirable fat. Some surgeons believe that this technique makes it easier for them to successfully complete the procedure.
If you really are considering liposuction as an improvement to your physical physique, it is advisable to continue searching for information about liposuction techniques before counseling with your physician and your surgeon, as this article only includes a brief, introductory description of available methods.
