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 . 

I have used all types of liposuction for many years and my conclusions are:1. Liposuction does not tighten skin. The skin gets pushed out by what is beneath it, so if you remove the fat from beneath the skin, it will shrink down to contour over the treated area, BUT it will not tighten more than it was previously.2. All forms of liposuction involve the expenditure of ENERGY to remove the fatty tissue. With traditional liposuction, this occurs by friction and avulsion as well as the mechanical energy created by the surgeon. With PAL, the energy is delivered as a rapidly reciprocating cannula that eventually penetrates the fat clusters and is suctioned out. With Ultrasound and laser, the energy is primarily in the form of heat, which may be good or bad depending on the amount. 3. Contrary to what many believe, all liposuction techniques have 3 main components:  a. Infiltration of fluid to wet, numb and vaso-constrict (shrink the blood vessels) the tissues.  b. preparation of the fatty tissue layer for removal.  c. Aspiration of the fatty tissue by suction.4. Smaller cannulas are able to penetrate the fat tissue more effectively and efficiently leaving a smoother blanket of fatty tissue behind and in theory a smoother result.5. You can remove a lot more fatty tissue under general anesthesia vs local awake anesthesia6. GOOD liposuction is very difficult and analogous to attempting to carve a beautiful marble statue while there is a sheet covering it so you can not visualize completely what the shape that you are creating looks like. 7. There is a huge difference between liposuction and liposculpture. Most doctors perform liposuction.Good luck!

Power assisted Liposuction uses a probe that vibrates back and forth and partially dissolves the fat before removing it.

Ultrasonic Liposuction acutally sends sound waves and makes the fat liquid. This allows for more efficient removal of the fat.

It also allows the dermis to contract and gives best results for liposuction of the back or male breast reduction.

Hope this was helpful.