subject: Cool Lipo Is One Of The Industry's Newest Options For Liposuction [print this page] For people unhappy with their liposuction results or who have smaller problem areas of fat that will not go away, there are further options to achieve their desired look. One option is the procedure known as cool lipo, or touch lipo. It is similar to normal liposuction, but is less invasive and used on small regions that original liposuction has failed to, or cannot, treat. Such areas could be the abdomen, male breasts, buttocks, and thighs. It is also very effective in places where the skin tends to sag, such as under the chin, the knees, and the back of the arm.
Cool lipo is performed using an injected local anesthetic to numb the intended area, rather than general anesthesia which puts a patient at risk for complications. Once the area is numb, an incision is made and a laser is inserted just below the skin. The laser releases energy that liquefies the unwanted fat and stimulates new collagen to grow over time, tightening the skin over the new shape of the body, something normal lipo does not do. Once dissolved, the fat will either be removed or left for the body to absorb. The whole procedure usually takes about one to three hours, depending on the area being altered.
Recovery from cool lipo is simple. A compressive dressing is worn on the treated area for about two to three days, less time than traditional liposuction recovery, to protect the wound and help tighten the skin. Compared with traditional liposuction, cool lipo results in little discomfort or bruising. Most patients can return to their normal activities the day after the procedure, although the recovery process will vary with each individual.
Results will be noticeable within a week, and the skin texture and tightness will continue to improve for the following two to six months. Because of the unique wavelength of cool lipo's laser, there is very little risk of pigmentary changes to the skin, and because it is a laser being inserted, rather than microcannules (the tubes used in traditional liposuction), results will be smoother because the laser is more precise.
Cool lipo is also no more expensive than traditional liposuction. In New York, for example, both procedures on various body parts range between $2000 and $7500.
Like liposuction, cool lipo is not permanent. Only a healthy lifestyle can prevent fat cells from building in treated areas again, but cool lipo gives patients a boost by removing the initial fat cells. As with any lipo treatment it is important to discuss a patient's options, candidacy, expectations, and the procedure beforehand with a medical expert.
