After traditional liposuction, patients may have a significant amount of pain, bruising and swelling.  SlimLipo uses two different wavelengths of laser energy to melt fat and tighten the skin and there could be little to no pain and bruising and no recovery time.

Liposuction
Liposuction is a method of removing areas of subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat under the skin). Traditionally, it’s done through small incisions into the skin. A hollow, pointed metal tube, called a cannula, is inserted through the incisions to access the layer of fat. As the surgeon moves the cannula back and forth, the pointy tip breaks up and loosens areas of fat. The fat particles are then suctioned out by a pump.

There are some slight variations on liposuction. In power assisted liposuction, a motor attached to the cannula causes the tube to vibrate back and forth, reducing the amount of manual work by the surgeon. Sometimes an ultrasound probe is used to break up fat cells.

Liposuction is the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the U.S. (after breast augmentation). According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, more than 341,140 liposuction procedures were performed in the U.S. last year. More than 98 percent of patients are women.

SlimLipo™
Another variation of liposuction is called SlimLipo™. “Slim” stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting. Instead of a cannula, a thin laser fiber is inserted through a very tiny incision in the skin. New York City Plastic Surgeon, Kenneth Rothaus, M.D., explains SlimLipo uses two wavelengths of laser energy: 924 nm, which targets fat cells, and 975 nm, which targets water and hemoglobin in the blood. First, the 924 wavelength is used to melt the fat cells. The physician continually monitors the temperature under the skin to make sure the energy from the laser doesn’t burn nearby tissue. Then, the 975 nm wavelength is used. Rothaus says this level heats the water molecules under the skin, which continues to melt fat and causes the skin to tighten. It also reduces bleeding, so there is little bruising from the treatment. The melted fat is suctioned from the body with a thin canula. Rothaus says that since the incision into the skin is so small (a puncture wound), no stitches are needed.

Recovery after SlimLipo is much easier than after standard liposuction. After traditional liposuction, a compression garment may be worn for three to six weeks. Patients may have a significant amount of pain, bruising and swelling. If stitches are needed, they are generally removed in about a week. With SlimLipo, a compression garment is only needed for a few days. Patients have little or no pain and bruising and are able to go back to work right away.

SlimLipo is not a weight reduction procedure. It’s meant to remove small areas of unwanted fat, and to provide smoother, tighter skin. In addition to the abdomen, it can be used on other areas where unwanted fat accumulates, like the lower back, neck, under the chin and bra area. Rothaus says he can treat up to three areas of the body at one time.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY
For information on SlimLipo™, go to http://www.palomarmedical.com

For general information on liposuction:
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, http://www.surgery.org

Research compiled and edited by Barbara J. Fister

© 2009 Medstar Television, Inc. All Rights Reserved

 Subscribe RSS

  Bookmarks  Email This   Hits : 445

Trackback ( 0 )
Trackback Link for This Article

Comments (0)

Your Comment

Name* Email* Website Title* UBBCode B i u Quote Code List List item Img URL Comment*   0 Characters Verify Code*    Notify me when new comment post on this article.  I have read and agree to Term and Agreement By submitting your comments ABC 36 we reserve the right, at our sole discretion, delete, or deny approval of your comments for any reason at any time without further notice. We do not rent, sell, or exchange your name, personal information, or email address to third-party companies for their marketing purposes. Please allow up to 24 hours for your post to be approved. Thanks from ABC 36 for your comment on our site wtvq.com