Is Traditional Liposuction Outdated?

With all of the new lipo procedures out there - tumescent, laser-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, and even fat-dissolving injections - is there still a place for traditional liposuction?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Liposuction options can be confusing- be careful

Liposuction Devices and Techniques... Is one really better than another? Tumescent liposuction... VASER lipo..... SmartLipo.....Cool lipo... pro lipo....Slim lipo... Body Jet lipo.... ????? What does this all mean? If I don't get Smart lipo does that mean I'm dumb? If my surgeon recommends Slim lipo does that mean he/she isn't a "Pro"? It truly is a ridiculous situation we have come to with regard to liposuction and the number of people trying to cash in on America's desire to be more

Traditional liposuction still lives!

Traditional liposuction combined with a modified tumescent technique is still the gold standard for liposuction. Do not be deceived by all the cleverly named "newer" techniques promising more than they can deliver. No "new" technique can beat properly performed traditional liposuction and make a marginal candidate for liposuction have a great result. The key to obtaining a great result is to go to a real plastic surgeon who has excellent artistic sculpting skills and ask for a realistic... more

Traditional liposuction is still the gold standard of...

Traditional liposuction is still the gold standard of treatment. There are many good scientific studies comparing traditional liposuction with some of the newer techniques. In one study published by Fodor and Watson (Plast Reconstr Surg. 1998 Apr;101(4):1103-16; discussion 1117-9.), ultrasound assisted liposuction and traditional liposuction were used in the same patients. Using several different analysis techniques (including blinded patient and observer analysis) they were unable to find... more

D.J. Verret, MD

4 reviews

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

innovationsfps.com

"Traditional" Liposuction = Regular / Tumescent Liposuction

In these tough economic times, like mushrooms after the rain, the ranks of Plastic surgeons are rapidly filling with mass defection of doctors who trained in other fields. Putting power and tax revenues first and the interests of patients a very distant seconds, in all states in the USA, ANY licensed doctor, regardless of his/her actual training, can PRACTICE any field in Medicine. With declining reimbursements and huge insurance hassles thousands of ER, Family Practice, Gynecologists,... more

Liposuction

I have performed the majority of different techniques including Power assisted, traditional, Vaser, etc. To me, traditional is the safest. They all do the trick. I always say to patients it is not the wand but the magician who waves the wand that creates the magic.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Traditional Liposuction is still the best option. Everything else is marketing.

The new alternatives to traditional liposuction, such as SmartLipo, are using very effective aggressive marketing techniques to promote their products. Usually these procedures are offered by non-plastic surgeons who have done a short course in doing the procedure and then set loose on the public. They are also used by plastic surgeons who wish to promote their practices. Only small areas can be treated with local anesthesia in the office with safety. But the proponents will claim that... more

Tradtional Liposuction

Each of the techniques you mention have their place, and none are suitable for all patients. Traditional Liposuction works well for significant areas that can not be adequately treated by any other technique.

Vaser liposelection is the new mainstay

In my practice Vaser Liposelection is the mainstay. Since discovering Vaser I've not used any other technique as the results are so far superior. The technique incorporates the tumescent process. 3rd generation ultrasound breaks up the fat so the aspiration process is quite gentle. Actually, the entire procedure is very gentle. More fat can safely be removed and, since there is less bruising and swelling, recovery is faster.

Traditional Liposuction is still a great procedure

Laser Liposuction Maybe More Hype than Benefit over Traditional Lipocustion 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 it causes less trauma to your tissues than mechanical... more

Is traditional lipo dead.

The rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated. ultimately, liposuction results should judged not by what is removed but by the contour left behind. so no there is no perfect method. only good results. keep an open mind and remember safety first.

Define what you will get getting

That all depends upon what you consider to be "traditional" lipo. I wouldn't advise you to have "dry" liposuction, but all the other techniques are just mild alterations of the wet technique. After using the laser for most lipo cases for a year I am back to wet lipo without the laser. It added cost but no improvement in my results. Best Regards.

Liposuction is liposuction

Liposuction is dependent much more on the experience of the surgeon than on the machine. There are two basic techniques employed in liposuction - breaking up the fat and removing the fat. Breaking up the fat can be done with vibration, ultrasound or laser (heating of the fat), or simply repetitive motion. The removal of fat is always the same - suctioning it out through a cannula. All of the different methods work and surgeon's all have their preferences. The key is not the... more