Confused About All the Different Types of Liposuction

I'm confused on all the different names for Liposuction. Which one is the right one and how will I know I am getting what I am suppose to get?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by woomama in San Antonio,Tx

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It mainly comes down to "awake or asleep"

Awake liposuction starts with infiltrating tumescent numbing fluid into the area. It may be followed by laser or ultrasound to melt the cells, or water to flush them loose. Next is the actual suctioning. This may be manual or "power assisted". We do smart Lipo, Body Jet water, and power assist, depending on each individual's goals. Because of added risk (and expense) - liposuction with general anesthetic should be reserved for unusual situations, and may even... more

Confused about different types of lipo? Join the club

We are in an era of intensive marketing, inflated claims, and frankly a lot of misinformation about liposuction so you are not alone in being confused. One thing you will hear consistently from the docs on RealSelf is that it is more important to choose your surgeon than to base your decision on technology or brand-name. That said, here are a few pointers: All forms of liposuction use what is called a "wet" technique, in which the fat to be removed is injected with a dilute... more

There remain just two basic types of liposuction based on anesthesia

There are essentially two types of liposuction based on the anesthesia: General anesthesia and local anesthesia. The basis for this statement has to do with safety. The death rate for having liposuction, irrespective of the machine used to suck out the fat is approximately one in 40,000 cases but possible more when liposuction is performed under general anesthesia. However, the death rate for having liposuction under local anesthesia is approximately one in 300,000.... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

8 reviews

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

The confusion about types of liposuction comes from companies hyping their machines.

The confusion about types of liposuction comes from companies hyping their machines. So far there is no evidence that one device is better than another. What is clear, however, is that there is a great deal of difference between the results obtained by highly experience liposuction surgeons and those who dabble in this procedure.

Liposuction trends

Don't go for the hype. FInd a good doctor to perform your liposcution who gets consistently good results. I have used most of them. It is not the wand but the magician waving the wand that creates the magic!

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Avoid any liposuction with a catchy name or a trade mark.

95% of what you are reading is marketing and not science. Tumescent liposuction has an amazing long record of safety and good results. And I would only go to a board certified plastic surgeon. see video