Liposuction vs. Laser Lipo

Understanding Liposuction Procedures

Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that helps patients eliminate unwanted fat from their bodies when traditional methods like diet and exercise don't do the trick. The traditional method of liposuction involves surgery where doctors place instruments beneath your skin that act as a vacuum and suck out the excess fat. Medical advancements have many people considering smart laser liposuction as an alternative to the traditional procedure. 

Smart lipo skin tightening involves using a paddle-like applicator that emits heat to your skin. The heat penetrates your fat cells and damages them to the point where they eventually die, leaving your body to become leaner and more contoured over time. This procedure, known as laser lipolysis or laser liposuction, provides the same impressive results as standard liposuction but with a few added benefits. 

Surgical Liposuction vs. Laser Lipo: Benefits of Getting Laser Lipo Near Me

It's normal to weigh the pros and cons before committing to getting laser lipolysis near me. Check out some of the biggest benefits that await patients who opt for laser liposuction over the traditional liposuction procedure. 

No General Anesthesia Used

Anyone with stubborn fat to lose who also has reactions to being under general anesthesia should research "laser lipo near me." Traditional liposuction involves surgery with one or more incisions and, therefore, requires patients to be under anesthesia during the procedure. Laser lipolysis often serves as a non-invasive procedure where patients can be awake without feeling any pain. 

In some cases, doctors need to take a minimally invasive approach to laser fat removal in order to fully penetrate the fat cells. Patients will stay awake for this procedure but receive a local anesthetic to the area so they don't feel anything at the incision site. 

Procedure and Recovery Times Are Faster

Ask a doctor about the recovery period for standard liposuction vs. laser lipo, and they'll tell you that the surgical method requires much more healing time. After all, traditional liposuction includes surgery, so you'll need to take it easy and allow your body time to heal from the incision and the procedure itself. The recovery period can keep you away from your normal activities for several days or weeks, which isn't ideal for patients who lead busy lives. 

With laser lipolysis, the procedure itself usually takes less than an hour, and you'll be able to leave the office immediately after. The non-invasive approach allows you to resume your normal activities with very little discomfort, while the minimally invasive approach may require you to modify your activities for a few days. 

Common side effects that people experience after laser liposuction include: 

• Redness
• Swelling
• Tenderness

These side effects usually subside within a few days and are far less severe than the possible risks that follow surgical liposuction. 

Laser Fat Removal Near Me Creates Noticeable Skin Tightening

Say you decide to use a method known as Smartlipo for stomach fat. This form of laser liposuction not only helps melt fat cells but also leaves you with tighter skin for a sculpted look in your midsection. The heat from the laser applicator promotes collagen and elastin growth, which helps tighten the skin. In contrast, surgical liposuction doesn't improve the skin or leave it smooth. 

Anyone who wants to improve their skin's appearance in conjunction with fat removal should research "Smartlipo near me" or "Lipolaser near me." These methods prove effective and feature all the other benefits of laser liposuction mentioned above. 

Laser Liposuction Targets More Areas of the Body

Which body parts can you target with traditional liposuction vs. laser lipo? Another major benefit of getting laser fat removal near me stems from the versatility of the treatment areas. 

With surgical liposuction, doctors primarily perform the procedure on larger areas with more visible fat, such as the stomach, thighs, hips, and buttocks. Patients who opt for laser lipolysis can target the fat in these areas as well:

• Chins
• Upper arms
• Back
• Knees
• Calves

Contact a qualified healthcare provider to discuss getting laser lipo treatment in any of these areas. 

Am I a Candidate for LipoLaser Near Me?

You might see impressive laser lipo before and after pictures and decide to try the procedure for yourself. However, doctors must deem you a suitable candidate before you can move forward.

The ideal candidate for laser liposuction is in good health and between ten and 20 pounds from their target weight. They must be a non-smoker or be willing to quit smoking before undergoing the procedure. Finally, they should have realistic expectations about the results and not expect laser lipolysis to prevent future fat cell production or use it as a weight loss treatment. 

A surgeon can explain if you make a suitable candidate for laser lipolysis depending on your body composition and health history. Obese patients should try other forms of fat loss before resorting to liposuction, while those with any of the following conditions should discuss their options with a doctor:

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy

As long as you're a good candidate for a liposuction procedure, you should schedule a laser lipolysis treatment rather than surgical liposuction. The benefits of minimally invasive fat removal far outweigh going through a long and painful recovery with surgical intervention. 

Laser Lipo Before and After: What the Process Entails

For many people, deciding on traditional liposuction vs. laser lipo boils down to the procedure itself and the process that a patient must go through. Below, we break down what you can expect before, during, and after undergoing both surgical liposuction and laser lipolysis. 

Physician Consultation and Procedure Preparation

Meeting with the doctor who will perform the procedure is the first step for anyone considering liposuction. They will review your medical history and determine if you're a good fit for the procedure. They'll also answer any questions you have and give you instructions that you should follow leading up to the day of your treatment. 

Before receiving laser lipolysis, experts advise patients to stop smoking and cease using blood thinners like aspirin. Doctors may have further instructions for those receiving standard liposuction, such as fasting several hours before the surgery. 

Receiving Treatment

On the day of your appointment for laser lipo, you can head to the clinic where the doctor will perform the procedure. You'll be awake and alert for the procedure and should expect to feel a warm sensation when the doctor places the applicator on your skin. If you need to undergo a minimally invasive approach, professionals will apply a numbing cream to the treatment site before making a tiny incision. 

If you decide to have surgical liposuction, the procedure will be slightly different. You'll likely undergo this procedure in a hospital and stay there for several hours or days afterward so healthcare professionals can observe your recovery. You won't feel any pain during the procedure because of general anesthesia, though this can lead to adverse reactions in some patients, such as:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth

One potential downside of laser lipolysis concerns that it doesn't target as many fat cells as surgical liposuction can, hence why the procedure doesn't take long to complete. 

Recovery Period

One of the biggest components to consider when debating liposuction vs. laser lipo is the recovery time you can plan for. Traditional liposuction generally requires you to stay under observation in a hospital or surgical center after the procedure, and you might not be able to get up and move around soon after. After you're free to go home, you can expect bruising and discomfort at your incision site as your stitches heal. 

The total recovery period for surgical liposuction can last several weeks, whereas laser lipo allows patients to return to their normal routine immediately after the procedure ends. Those who need a minimally invasive form of laser lipo might feel some discomfort that forces them to modify their activity level, but it subsides quickly. 

To aid the healing process, doctors may insert a small drain at the incision site following liposuction that remains for a few days before they can take it out. They will also monitor the sutures and make sure the skin heals properly after surgery. The recovery from laser lipo usually means having an adhesive bandage cover the small incision or wearing a compression garment around the treatment site to minimize swelling. 

Assessing the Cost of Surgical Liposuction vs. Laser Lipo

Liposuction is the second most common cosmetic procedure Americans receive, behind breast augmentation. Unfortunately, most health insurance plans do not provide coverage for this elective cosmetic procedure. How much can you expect to pay for traditional liposuction vs. laser lipo?

While both procedures come with out-of-pocket costs, laser lipo tends to cost less because of the length of the procedure and the equipment it requires. The total cost includes the surgeon's fees, which may vary depending on the region where they practice medicine. 

Surgical liposuction also includes costs for the doctor performing the procedure as well as the price of receiving care at a hospital or surgical facility. Patients also face charges for using anesthesia during the surgery and any medications the doctor prescribes during their recovery period. 

How To Find the Right Fat Removal Method for You

Deciding to get a liposuction treatment can leave you with the sculpted body you want. However, you must consider key components of both traditional liposuction and laser fat removal before committing to one. Check out the top issues that will influence your decision. 

Consider Your Health History

Have you had surgery in the past and had adverse reactions to general anesthesia? This could deter you from going under the knife for an elective procedure and opt for treatment requiring no anesthesia. 

Plan for Recovery

If you lead a busy life and can't put it on hold for several weeks to recover from surgery, you might consider a less invasive approach. Laser lipolysis has a far shorter recovery time and won't keep you from doing the things you love. 

Think of Additional Treatments

If you receive surgical liposuction for your stomach fat and struggle with the procedure and recovery, would you want to go through it again to suck out fat from other parts of your body? Laser lipolysis may require multiple treatments to reach your desired results, so figure out if you're fine with enduring either method multiple times. 

Contact Connecticut Pain Solutions Today—A Trusted Clinic Offering Laser Lipolysis Near Me

When debating the pros and cons of traditional liposuction vs. laser lipo, it's clear that laser lipolysis reigns supreme. If you want to embrace the benefits of laser liposuction, make an appointment with Connecticut Pain Solutions. We specialize in a variety of wellness treatments and programs, including cosmetic injections, hormone replacement therapy, and laser liposuction. 

Our medical team, led by Dr. Igor Turok, offers this treatment with a focus on patient care and compassion. Schedule your appointment with Connecticut Pain Solutions today to take advantage of everything that laser liposuction provides. Complete our online request form or give us a call at (203) 626-9080 (Wallingford office) or (203) 724-9290 (Ridgefield office). 

Frequently Asked Questions

It's normal to have questions regarding these two forms of fat removal methods. Check out some of the most common questions patients have about liposuction vs. laser lipo.

Is Liposuction Permanent?

Old fat cells won't regenerate, but new ones can form if you don't maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

How Soon After Liposuction Will You See Results?

Most patients notice the full effects of liposuction six weeks after treatment. 

Does Laser Lipolysis Hurt?

No, laser lipo doesn't cause pain during or after the procedure.