Liposuction is now the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in the U.S. Almost 400,000 people undergo the procedure every year, with the percentage of men increasing considerably. The latest trend is all about 'melting the fat away' rather than just 'sucking it out'. This translates to no lengthy hospital stays, less pain and less scarring.
 

The latest laser procedure that is revolutionizing the liposuction industry is Smartlipo. It relies on the use of Smartlipo machines which disrupt fat cell membranes with lasers which in layman's terms, literally "melts the fat". They say the melted fat is not extracted but is excreted over a period of a few weeks.

 

This procedure relies on the use of Smartlipo machines. Smartlipo machines literally melt fat away and are revolutionizing liposuction, with patients requiring no hospital stays or suffering bad scarring or bleeding. Makers of the Smartlipo system say the lasers disrupt fat cell membranes with photo acoustic and photo thermal energy which in layman's terms, literally "melts the fat". They say the melted fat is not extracted but is excreted over a period of a few weeks.
 

The technique was FDA approved in October of 2006, and was used extensively in Europe prior to its US approval. Since then clinics are reporting a huge surge in patients undergoing the procedure. Unlike traditional liposuction, it can take place in a doctor's surgery instead of hospitals with no need for general anaesthetic, meaning the patient can literally get up and walk away after the procedure. It's claimed the only side-effects are inflammation, tenderness, minor bruising or temporary lumping which subsides within a week.

The way it works is simple. A fibre-optic is inserted through a thin cannula into the fat layer of the skin. The cannula protects two lasers, which are engaged as the device is waved in a fan like fashion within the subcutaneous fat layer. Doctors heat the fat until it becomes liquid. It also coagulates any small blood vessels as it goes along, thus reducing any bruising or swelling. Results start to become visible within days, although, the final contouring effects become most apparent in about three months as the destroyed fat cells are absorbed into the bloodstream and disposed of through the liver.

Its most effective on areas that are difficult to treat with traditional liposuction, such as the chin, stomach, arms, knees and hips. Typical clients are women or men with a double chin or fat on their inner or outer thighs, or women who have a 'jelly belly' after giving birth. Patients feel hardly any pain and can return to work the next day wearing a pressure bandage for a week, but the final results won't be seen for up to four months.
 

This is a new technique and any form of cosmetic surgery needs to be looked at carefully. At approximately $2000 USD a treatment it's not cheap, and some cosmetic surgeons have warned the long-term effects of the procedure, particularly its impact on the liver and kidneys remain uncertain.
 

Can the fat come back?

The total number of fat cells in the body of an adult is established during adolescence. From then on the number of fat cells in the body remains fairly constant. Once the fat cells have been removed by liposuction, these same cells do not grow back. So neighbouring fat cells cannot divide to reproduce lost cells in adults.

However individual fat cells can grow to a tremendous size. This can more than make up for a missing neighbor cell that was removed by suction. For this reason exercise and proper eating following surgery are just as important for the rest of your life. Failure of a patient to maintain weight following liposuction may necessitate further liposuction in and around the previously treated sites to keep a smooth appearance.

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written by me, March 21, 2008

Cool

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