Fat Melting Lasers and Other Devices
Fat removal or liposuction is still the most common cosmetic surgical procedure in the country; As a result of the increasing demand for fat removal, several new technologies both invasive and non-invasive emerged in the battle of the bulge.
To date, Tumescent Liposuction (liposuction under local anesthesia) is the standard of care for fat removal. Traditional liposuction (under general anesthesia) is also commonly performed but is generally seen as more aggressive in recovery and risk. Over the past few years several laser, ultrasound, and mechanical technologies have come out to help break down the fat prior to removal or to break down the fat from the outside of the skin without surgery. From my experience of over 3000 cases in 12 years, I find many of the fat melting devices to be somewhat disappointing. SmartLipo™ was the first internal fat melting device. Copycat technologies such as SmoothLipo™, LipoLight®, and CoolLipo® have followed the trend; One device claiming to be better than the next. The lasers available tend to be very small but cannot melt significant amounts. Occasionally I find them helpful for smaller areas of fat. Ultrasonic devices, such as VASER® liposelection and powered devices tend to melt larger amounts more effectively. Even these devices offer limited help during standard Tumescent Liposuction which has proven to be extremely effective and safe with minimal recovery.
Totally non invasive body sculpting options have been disappointing thus far. Mesotherapy is an injectable treatment of a variety of chemicals that has shown little efficacy and questionable safety.
Other emerging technologies such as Zerona®, Zeltiq™, Ultrashape® and Velashape™ offer interesting technologies that supposedly target fat from the outside, leaving the body to deal with the waste. They require several treatments and to date offer very limited benefit for only small areas of fat.
Zerona® - light based external technology.
Zeltiq™ - Fat-freezing external technology.
Ultrashape® - Ultrasound targeted fat destruction externally.
Velashape™ - Radiofrequency and infrared external massage to reduce superficial layers of fat.
Please view our Liposuction weblink to educate yourself about these procedures and your options.
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