How Effective is Tickle Lipo?

Until the Tickle Liposuction unit, the best method for liposuction was the traditional liposuction for the following reasons: Energy source, such as laser, radiowave, ultrasonic, added a new diminsion of complications because of the heat from the cannula. I have seen article after article of burns from such liposuction equipment. Of course, in the proper, skilled hands such complications are more rare.

Another disadvantage of laser or other energy sourced liposuction is the increase time it takes to perform the procedure. They are two step procedures in that first you must melt the fat, and then go back and liposuction the melted fat out.

The Tickle Lipo, contrary to what some think is not an ultrasonic energy source liposuction unit. There is minimal to no heat as it is subsonic. The true name is Nutational Infrasonic Liposuction  (NIL).

Now for the NIL advantages: The specific rotational movement actually only breaks down the fat and not the connective tissues. This procedure shortens the procedure by 25% or more, and because of its lack of damage to surrounding tissues, results in less bruising, swelling, and recovery time. The Vibration-like activity of the cannula tip reduces the pain during and after the procedure. General anesthesia is rarely needed.

An additional benefit is that, unlike laser,etc., it does not harm the Adipose Derived Regenerative Cells (ADRC), and if fat transfer is desired for volumizing the breast, face, hands or buttocks, the fat is more likely to survive, even more so that traditional liposuction.

With all of the above said, the most important factor is still the skill and experience of the surgeon.

For local anesthesia, the tumescent technique is still necessary regardless of the equipment.

I have tried and taught most every technological application in liposuction.  I find, along with so many thought leaders, that S.A.F.E. liposuction is the safest technique with the smoothest and most predictable results.  S.A.F.E. stands for suction, aspiration and fat equalization. It is performed with tumescent anesthesia.  Much of the technique depends on smoothly pretunneling the areas for reduction to separate the fat and to prepare it for atraumatic suctioning.  A specialized cannula is then used without suction to ultimately smooth the areas of all potential lumps and bumps. Six weeks in a compression garment then maximizes skin shrinkage. 

Tickle lipo works great for me.  I like it because it allows me more precise control over where I remove fat and how much.  I also think that it is less traumatic to the fat than other forms of liposuction, so when we need to harvest fat for a fat transfer or Brazilian butt lift, the fat has improved viability.  Some of my patients have noticed improved results as soon as the next day with Tickle lipo, and this was never the case with ultrasonic liposuction!

The effects of liposuction, no matter what form (laser, ultrasonic, suction-assisted, or power assisted) all essentially perform the same function, but the ease with which good results can be obtained is not equal, and the same is true for the amount of trauma incurred to the tissue.    

It is still absolutely essential that the surgeon be skilled at liposuction, as you can get contour problems (bumps and divots) with all forms of lipo!