Previously, patients struggling with stubborn pockets of body fat had only liposuction as a treatment option, although effective the downside to this procedure was the unsightly skin sags it left behind. However today there is a new alternative that not only eliminates fat but also firms up the skin, laser lipolysis. When interested in undergoing
laser lipo Miami Lakes, FL patients should first find out what it entails.
Lipolysis differs from liposuction in that another technique is used to eliminate the fat cells. Whereas liposuction, as its name suggests uses vacuum suction, lipolysis actually melts the fat with the heat produced from varying wavelengths of fiber-optic lasers. When this process occurs, it naturally stimulates the skin's collagen production which keeps the area firm.
This minimally invasive treatment is performed on an outpatient basis. First, the doctor will clearly mark the area to be treated and a local anesthetic will be administered. Next, after a small incision is made in the skin, a fine tube called a cannula which contains the fiber of the laser will be inserted. The heat of the laser liquifies the fat cells and they will then be absorbed by the body, surrounding skin cells begin synthesizing collagen. There can be swelling and minor bruising, but this short-lived.
Effective alone, lipolysis can also be used in combination with liposuction so the patient can enjoy the best possible outcome. Maximum removal of fat is achieved, without the sagging skin associated with liposuction when done by itself. Areas that are affected more by gravity and prone to sagging such as the abdomen are good candidates for this treatment combo.
The outcome of the procedure vary from patient to patient and how successful it is depends mainly on the size of the area treated and its fat volume. It offers favorable results in most places it is used including the hips, abdomen, buttocks, upper arms, jawline, and inner and outer thighs. Results will first be noticeable within the first six weeks and they may become progressively more pronounced as many as four months post-treatment.
Most patients only need one treatment, but if the area is larger or more fat is present such as the stomach or bottom, it may be necessary to undergo a second procedure. The doctor will normally advise the patient at the initial consultation as to how many treatments he or she will likely require to achieve the desired look. One must wait four months or longer before the next treatment.
The use of a local anesthetic during the procedure keeps discomfort levels down for most patients, however most will report bruising and tenderness several hours later. Patients normally go home after an hour's recovery and they will be instructed to wear a compression garment for two days to a week at most. They may wish to use over the counter analgesics for any pain.
It is expected that patients follow a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and sufficient exercise if they are to keep the fat off. The results of lipolysis are considered permanent provided the patient does not naturally gain new fat cells. This procedure is not a solution for obesity, but merely a suitable remedy for those of moderate weight who are troubled by fat pockets on the body that won't go away from dieting or working out.