Excess, unwanted fat can be such a nuisance. It gets in the way, it can cause you to be self-conscious, and it can just be plain annoying when it doesn’t go away despite diet and exercise. At Dermacare San Diego, we offer the most advanced technology laser lipo to contour your body, improve your confidence, and help you achieve the physique you’ve been working so hard for. So what is minimally invasive laser lipo and how is it different from traditional liposuction? Let’s find out!
What Is Laser Liposuction?
Laser liposuction is a minimally invasive surgery technique, similar to standard liposuction. This procedure uses the energy from a laser to liquefy fat, making it much easier to pull it through the suction tube. Not only does this make the liposuction surgery much easier, but it is also less painful and aggressive, and it requires less recovery time.
The heat of the laser will also trigger collagen production, which can ultimately tighten the skin. While the effect can be relatively mild, it can prevent the skin from sagging if you do not have much fat to remove. During regular liposuction, the skin cannot keep up with the removed fat as well, so it may result in unwanted sagging skin.
Laser liposuction is used to remove fat from a variety of areas such as the abdomen, thighs, arms, flanks, under the chin, and neck. It aims to improve your body contour and reduce stubborn fat pockets.
Who Is a Good Laser Liposuction Candidate?
Each person must go through an initial consultation to determine whether they are a laser liposuction candidate or not. Ideal candidates should have no allergies or hypersensitivity to the procedure and be physically healthy.
Laser liposuction is often performed on women and men who are within 20 pounds of their ideal weight. The procedure is meant to remove stubborn fat from certain areas, so it may not be ideal if you are looking for major weight loss.
Does Laser Liposuction Hurt?
Since laser liposuction melts the fat before removing it, the procedure is not as invasive as traditional liposuction. This makes it less painful, resulting in significantly less discomfort and downtime.
That being said, while minimally invasive, it is still a form of surgery. During the procedure, we use local anesthesia to numb the area to alleviate any discomfort you may feel. Some patients experience soreness and swelling in the treatment area after the laser liposuction procedure.
How Is Laser Liposuction Performed?
The procedure will take an average of 45 minutes. However, based on the size or number of treatment areas, it can take more than an hour in some cases. Before starting, our medical provider will mark the areas where the excess fat needs to be removed.
At this point, you will be given local anesthesia and a small incision will be made in the treatment area. The laser will be set to an appropriate wavelength to liquefy the fat. Then, the fat will be suctioned out using a tube referred to as a cannula. During this process, the blood vessels coagulate immediately, which results in less bleeding, swelling, and bruising overall.
How Much Weight Can You Lose With Laser Liposuction?
Some patients have lost up to 25 pounds with laser liposuction, which is equal to one or two pant sizes. However, this will depend on your specific body and how the fat is distributed, your ultimate goal, and your treatment plan.
It’s important to remember that laser liposuction is not usually recommended for people over a BMI of 30 or more, but our medical provider will evaluate each case during the customized consultation process.
Is Laser Liposuction Better Than Regular Liposuction?
The decision to choose laser or regular liposuction depends on your goals and the amount of fat that you want to have removed. If your purpose is to just remove stubborn fat pockets, laser liposuction may be the more appropriate choice. That being said, if you have a higher BMI and want to remove more fat, regular liposuction may be the better alternative.
How Much Does Laser Liposuction Cost?
Different factors influence the price of your laser liposuction procedure. It is best to sit down with Dermacare San Diego’s professionals first so that they can discuss your designated problem areas, walk you through expectations, and ultimately create a personalized treatment plan. Once the consultation is over, a summary of the procedure along with the average cost will be provided.
Should I Undergo Laser Lipo?
Laser liposuction may be a good way for you to eliminate stubborn fat in problem areas of your body. The recovery time is much shorter than traditional liposuction, and laser liposuction can also tighten the skin and reduce sagging. If all of these sound appealing, then laser lipo at Dermacare San Diego may be the right choice for you to achieve your goal of a contoured physique.
If you want to schedule an appointment or ask for more details on the laser liposuction procedure, call Dermacare Laser & Skin Care Clinics. We can be contacted at 858-943-2443 for our San Diego clinic, but you may also call 760-472-5088 if you are in Carlsbad. We also have an online contact form for those who prefer this method.