Affordable Liposuction Surgery

What is Liposuction

Liposuction Doctor Liposuction, known by a number of different names including lipoplasty, liposculpture suction lepectom, body sculpting or just lipo – is a cosmetic surgery operation which involves removing fat from the body using either a laser and/or a suction device. It is usually performed by cosmetic surgeons or licensed dermatologists.

Techniques usually vary by the amount of fluid injected and by the mechanism in which the cannula works. The traditional method involves a suction assisted fat removal technique. Fat is removed via a hollow tube called a cannula and a suction device called an aspirator.

Affordable Liposuction

A less invasive and more affordable liposuction alternative is laser liposuction or Laser Lipolysis (SmartLipo) and involves breaking down the fat using a laser. With laser liposuction the cannula is narrower, allowing for small incisions and the cannula contains a laser. The laser inside emits energy into the targeted fat cells breaking them down. Without their cell walls fat can then easily be absorbed by the body or suctioned out of the body.

Having Realistic Expectations

It should not be seen as a weight loss solution but more of a body contouring operation. Liposuction is best performed on patients who maintain a steady body weight and who would like to remove stubborn fat deposits that do not respond well to dieting or exercise.

Liposuction before and after photos can sometimes present an unrealistic best case scenario. Some of the images may even be brushed up using imaging software. It is best to consult a surgeon for more realistic examples of what liposuction can achieve for you.

What Areas of the Body Can Liposuction be performed on?

Using these techniques it is possible to remove fat from many different areas of the body. Stomach liposuction, thigh liposuction and treatment on the buttocks, love handles, male breast tissue, face and neck are the most common but treatment can involve removing fat from the arms, back, hips and inner knees

Liposuction Cost and Affordability

The cost of liposuction will vary depending on the following factors:

The number of area(s) from which the fat is to be removed
The amount of fat to be removed
Your Body type
Liposuction technique used
Surgeon and liposuction clinic fees
Geography (Liposuction fees can vary significantly by state)
Additional procedures after liposuction surgery

Liposuction costs can vary from clinic to clinic depending on how the fees are calculated. Some surgeon’s fees may depend more on the time that the operation takes to perform while with others, the number of liposuction procedures and the amount of fat being removed may be the overriding factor in determining the price. Additional fees may include the type of anesthesia (local versus general) with general anesthesia the most expensive. Also any other procedures carried out after the surgery could add to the final cost.

It is important to thoroughly discuss the price of liposuction with your doctor. If the price quoted to you seems lower than most, ask what is not included in the cost and whether there are any additional fees. Affordable liposuction is possible if you find the right surgeon and request Laser liposuction which is less extensive and ideal for those who don’t require large deposits of fat to be removed.

Traditional Liposuction typically costs around $4000 to $7000 for surgery on one area. Laser Lipolysis or SmartLipo is more affordable at about $2,000 to $4,000 for one area and an additional fee of roughly $1500 for fat removal during laser Lipolysis. If you’re looking for affordable liposuction with fewer side effects then Laser Lipolysis may be for you.

What is the Typical Liposuction Procedure?

Here is a breakdown of the liposuction procedure, before, during and after an operation. This is only a general example of what the typical liposuction procedure involves.

Before Operation
The patient and the surgeon will talk before the operation on exactly which parts of the body will be treated. The doctor should explain what outcome you should expect from the procedure and the potential side effects.

A consent form is signed just before the operation.

An antibiotic will be given beforehand and/or afterwards.

Areas will be marked on the body so the surgeon and patient know exactly which areas will be operated on. Sometimes photos will be taken so the patient will have before and after photos.

Just before the operation a general anesthetic will be administered for traditional liposuction. Laser liposuction will usually just involve a local anesthetic which is injected and the patient may be given a sedative.

During Operation

Incisions will be made and these will vary from about a quarter to a third of an inch.

Traditional liposuction involves inserting a tube into the target area and having the solid fat cells broken up and then sucked out. Laser Lipolysis or Smart Lipo involves making a small incision and having the fat melted by the laser. The melted fat can either be broken down by the body over a period of time or can be sucked out at the time the laser lipolysis is carried out.

As fat is broken up or removed from the patient, the patient will also loose fluid. It is likely therefore that the patient will have an IV fluid line so that the fluid balance is kept intact. The patient will have their heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels monitored.

Depending on the type of anesthetic used the patient should not stay in hospital long. Laser Lipolysis only requires a local anesthetic, which means the patient will only be in the clinic for up to 1-2 hours. However for traditional liposuction general anesthetic is used which should involve an overnight stay in hospital.

After Operation
Although the patient should experience some pain and discomfort after the operation they should be able to go home on the same day if Laser Lipolysis is performed.

A support garment is recommended to be worn in the days after the operation to promote skin tissue shrinkage.

Liposuction recovery will depend on the extent of the liposuction, the technique used and the health of the patient. Traditional liposuction will create more bruising than laser liposuction. These bruises should remain for about 2 to 3 weeks and recovery will be slower.

With the Laser Lipolysis technique it is not unusual for someone who has had a liposuction operation to return to work the following day.

While the pain will subside over a few days they may still feel some discomfort up to two weeks after the operation. Over the counter medication can be used to treat the pain until it subsides.

Traditional Liposuction versus Laser Liposuction (SmartLipo)

Laser Lipolysis (SmartLip) utilizes laser technology to break down fatty deposits and tighten the skin. The melted fat can either be broken down by the body over a period of time or can be sucked out at the time the laser lipolysis is carried out. Here is a comparison of traditional liposuction versus SmartLipo.

SmartLipo is less invasive than the traditional liposuction procedure and so is less painful.

The surgeon can perform more detailed fat remodeling with laser liposuction making it easier to perform operations on the face, chin, neck etc.

Laser Liposuction involves a local anesthetic and is therefore quicker and safer. It does not involve an overnight stay in a hospital.

Laser liposuction causes less damage to surrounding muscles and tissue cells as the treatment is more targeted.

Patients recover faster and there is less bruising.

Laser liposuction is a cheaper more affordable liposuction alternative.

Traditional liposuction does have some benefits. Traditional liposuction is more ideal for removing large areas of fat. Also traditional liposuction has been carried out over many years and has a long history of success.

Before requesting any operation it is important to adequately research and consult a fully qualified cosmetic surgeon or licensed dermatologist.

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