Power Assisted Lipo Vs Ultrasound Assisted Lipo- What's the Difference?

Power assisted liposuction (PAL) consists of using a liposuction cannula that oscillates or vibrates to help break up fatty tissue as it is being removed from the body. It allows for a slightly more gentle technique than traditional liposuction to be used and is especially helpful in areas of dense adipose tissue. I have used the PAL for about a year now and have been very happy with the results. Ultrasound assisted liposuction (UAL) also uses vibrating technology, but the vibrations are fast enough to create ultrasound energy that emulsifies fat. The fat is broken up with a separate wand as the first part of the procedure and then traditional liposuction is then completed with cannulas to remove the liquified fat. There is some evidence that when used properly, the energy can induce some additional skin tightening. There is also evidence that when used poorly, that thermal burn injuries can be produced.

In the end, it really does not matter what technology is being used nearly as much as the expertise of the plastic surgeon that is performing the procedure.

Power assisted liposuction or PAL uses vibration of the cannula to help the surgeon extract fat faster.  There may be less trauma with this approach as well.  The vibration breaks up the fat so it is easier to remove by suction.  This is quite safe as the vibration cannot really hurt the skin.  In terms of results, there is probably not much difference between PAL and traditional techniques.  For recovery, as the surgery is shorter and there may be less trauma to the body, it may be less painful and recovery shorter.UAL, or ultrasonic liposuction, uses a very high frequency vibration to achieve a similar effect.  However, the degree of vibration is much higher and heat is produced, which can cause burning of the skin.  The fat is liquified by the ultrasound prior to removal.  Some surgeons say this is an advantage to remove the fat more precisely and less trauma, but I feel the risks outweigh the benefit.  Although some suggest that UAL can cause skin tightening, most surgeons uses laser assisted liposuction such as SlimLipo to achieve this instead.  I feel that laser energy is more selectively targeted towards the skin and can be precisely delivered, which I feel is safer that UAL.  Aloha,Shim Ching, MD

when we do abdominal etching procedure , i feel power assisted is safer than ultrasound or laser assisted machines .These ultrasound or laser assisted devices might produce burns in superficial liposuctions. As other doctors explained, expertise of the surgeon is very important than the machine used .