Liposuction: Q&A
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Laser Assisted Liposuction - Just a Fad?
In a recent Orange County Register article about the layoffs at Cynosure, the chairman of the UCI Department of Dermatology predicted tough times ahead for laser liposuction, which he considers of little use to patients. He said, "the super-bloated market in laser lipo devices will hit rock bottom in 2009, and good riddance. They were always a marketing tool, and did little to advance the science of the art, or provide benefit to the patients." Is Laser Lipo a passing fad on the way out?
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Laser lipo promotion
SmartLipo has enjoyed wonderful success from a marketing standpoint. It is a "hot and exciting" buzzword among those seeking body contouring.
Because of its popularity, many surgeons have purchased or leased SmartLipo equipment in order to meet this demand of the patient population.
A scientific comparison of SmartLipo versus traditional techniques published in the premier plastic surgery journal found no discernable difference between body areas treated with the two different...
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Laser assisted lipo benefits
It is inconceivable to me that Smartlipo would not be beneficial. Certainly ultrasonic liposuction is beneficial. The ultrasonic cannula, which is inserted after tumescence is carried out, melts fat that is then removed (aspirated) by traditional liposuction.
In Smartlipo, we are using a very small fiber optic cable that conveys the laser energy, which definitely melts fat on contact. There is no way that this cannot contribute to loss of fat and a better shape.
The biggest problem that I...
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Laser Assisted Liposuction Maybe a Fad
Laser Liposuction Maybe More Hype than Benefit over Traditional Liposuction. In general I agree with the statement made in your note.
Benefits of Laser-Assisted Liposuction in my opinion are more theoretical than real.
The primary benefit of laser-assisted liposuction is that the recovery period has been touted as less painful, and you may experience less swelling and bruising. I have not seen any difference. The theory is that because the laser used to disrupt the fat cells...
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FYI: Studies on Laser Asssisted Lipolysis in Plastic Surgery Literature
Conclusions: No major clinical differences for suction-assisted lipoplasty versus laser-assisted lipoplasty were found.
Higher concentrations of free-fatty acids after laser-assisted lipoplasty must alert us to possible hepatic and renal toxicity. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 118: 1032, 2006.)
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Laser lipo works
I initially did not believe in laser lipo. The first generation of laser lipo was weak and could deliver only 6-8 watts of energy. The latest machine delivers 36 watts and does melt the fat. I do have the machine and all my patients been very happy.
One thing that you should consider is the operater. Machines and tools are important but your surgeon is more impotant than the tool. A good plastic surgeon will get excellent results with traditional lipo and also with laser lipo. The advantage...
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Power-assisted liposuction is best
I used to think there was nothing to Smartlipo or laser liposuction, until I tried it. For anyone who has done a lot of liposuction, they know the feel of how a cannula moves through various tissues in the body. Having performed extensive ultrasound, power-assisted and traditional suction lipectomy, my hand can feel the difference with Smartlipo.
Each type of liposuction has it place and is useful for different indications. The Smartlipo cannula moves very smoothly through the subdermal...
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Laser assisted lipo is just a technology for liposuction
Laser Lipo was always one of the modalities of liposuction (Ultrasound, mechanical etc...and not a super technique that will make other modalities obsolete.
The areas that the laser Lipo might have some additional benefits are body areas requiring skin tightening in addition to some Lipo on a small scale. The neck seems to be the best example. Trying to place the laser Lipo above other technologies in general is not a fair statement. The key is the user.
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Laser Lipo: is it worth it?
That's what they claim but it has yet to be proven. I have had one patient who went to another surgeon who offered this technology about two years ago and she was dissatisfied with the results. It is slightly more delicate but that's not always good and it may not be sufficient and will take more time. I know that doesn't make all that much sense but let me give you a simple example which will help to clarify. You have a standard size room that you want painted. Do you want to pay for...
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Laser lipolysis is just a great marketing tool
I think it is a great marketing tool and nothing more. The skin tightening component really doesn't show anything to me in the pictures that I have seen of long term follow-ups.
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Laser assisted liposuction hype
The hype surrounding laser assisted liposuction procedures is not unlike the same hype that surrounded ultrasonic liposuction, a procedure which is now defunct. Implying the the laser's thermal energy is capable of causing better skin shrinkage is the same erroneous claim that was made by the ultrasonic advocates. No studies have scientifically shown this benefit to the patient.
For good reason, the newer laser assisted devices don't want to do these studies because when formal...
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Laser assisted lipo marketing ploys
Smart Lipo in my opinion is much more expensive than other forms of liposuction, and in North Texas, is performed mostly by wannabe plastic surgeons. I have not seen any benefit over tested liposuction techniques. It is also my opinion that the laser liposuction machines are a marketing ploy. Enough said
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