What is Laser Liposuction?

After filling the area requiring treatment, like the abdomen or neck, with a dilute anesthetic fluid a laser fiber is inserted to heat up the overlying skin as well as help seal blood vessels and melt fat cells. A small suction cannula is then inserted to suck out excessive fat. This procedure combines tumescent liposcuplture with a laser to ensure optimal results and tight overlying skin.

Liposuction is the removal of fat.  In all forms of liposuction, the endpoint is the removal of unwanted subcutaneous fat - this is true irrespective of which "energy" source is used.  In its simplest form: 1) Traditional liposuction uses the "muscle" of the surgeon, 2) Ultrasonic liposuction (including VASER) uses ultrasonic waves, 3) Power assisted liposuction (including Micro-Aire) uses electrical energy to move the cannula, and 4) Laser liposuction uses light energy.  Of course, it is important to keep in mind, that technology is only as good as the technician - meaning, laser unit does not perform the surgery - the surgeon does.  I always warn patients not to be "sold" on technology, as the operator still dictates much of the outcome.  I have performed over 1000 liposuction cases in last several years, utilizing both laser and power assisted units.  I hope my patients have trusted me as their surgeon because of who I am and my experience, and not because of my fancy tools.  Please get to know your surgeon - you deserve it - it's your health.

Web reference: http://www.drchungplasticsurgery.com

Traditional liposuction, ultrasonic liposuction (e.g., Vaser) and laser liposuction (e.g., CoolLipo, CoolTouch, Smartlipo, SlimLipo, LifeSculpt) are all forms of liposuction, using different approaches to injure fat and reduce or remove it. Some companies have brand names associated with their proprietary liposuction machines. The most frequently seen brand names in advertising today may be CoolLipo, Smartlipo and SlimLipo, all of which are recently released laser liposuction devices.

Laser Liposuction: A small laser-containing cannula is placed through incisions in the skin and utilized to injure fat cells and the deep layers of the overlying skin. A traditional liposuction cannula can then be used to extract injured fat cells. Because the effects of thermal injury to fat and overlying skin are not seen immediately, the outcome yielded by this technique may change over time. Although the laser-induced injury to the deep layer of the skin may result in tightening of the skin, as asserted in many company advertisements, it may be difficult to achieve a smooth, consistent degree of tightening. If every aspect of the tissue is not treated with the same amount of power from the laser, dimpling, or even burns, may result. Because of these risks and the absence of good studies demonstrating consistent results, the Plastic Surgery community has generally avoided the early adoption of CoolLipo, CoolTouch, Smartlipo, SlimLipo, LifeSculpt, or other laser liposuction machines in their practice.

Laser Assisted Liposuction is one form of liposcution that used the added benefit of light energy to enhance fat removal and skin tightening  in the right patients. Patients should have mild to moderate fat excess and mold to moderate skin laxity.  The wavelength of the light can be important  in that 1440nm has 40x the affinity for its fat target as compared to other wavelengths.

   The skin tightening issue has been a controversy as you read in this section claiming to have no evidence.  I can refer you to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal  Vol 30 Number 1 Jan/Feb 2010  pages 593-602 which describes the effect on the skin with laser as compared to liposcution alone in the same patients.

The consclusion of that paper is stated below.

CONCLUSION
Laser-assisted liposuction has increased usage in clinical practice. Previous work has confirmed safety, efficacy and temperature parameters to elicit skin tightening. In the present study, the sequential delivery of the 1064 and 1320-nm laser energies, as the only variable parameter in this internally controlled study, has led to data suggesting that the delivery of laser energy prior to liposuction has a statistically significant effect on skin shrinkage and tightening of the skin in the abdominal area.

It should be mentioned that the laser liposuction typically takes more time and may be more expensive than traditional liposuction. There is little evidence that it is superior to traditional liposuction. The marketing of these devices was aimed at patients to create a "media buzz" while good medical studies were not done. Many non-core aesthetic/cosmetic physicians purchased laser liposuction machines. So if you decide to have laser liposuction, be careful who you chose as your doctor.

Laser liposuction is a treatment for spot fat reduction that uses a high tech laser to liquify fat cells.

Smart lipo and Slim lipo are different brands of laser machines which can aid in disrupting and liqiufying fat cells in a liposuction procedure.  These laser machines along with other ultrasound machines, such as Vaser lipo, can help the surgeon remove fat in areas where the fat may be more dense and/or fibrous.  To a small degree, all of these machines can aid in improving skin tone by causing collagen to shrink in the deeper layers of the skin.  However, all of these machines do carry an increased risk of burns to the skin and seroma formation and should be used with care.

Web reference: http://www.VincentLeporeMD.com

The term laser liposuction is quite broad and I would say the main factor in the ultimate outcome that you obtain lies more in the surgeon than in the technology.  Having said that, there are two main devices on the market that provide some results.  The first is SmartLipo which is associated with a very heavily supported marketing drive.  The second is SlimLipo.  Both have several generations, and many SmartLipo device owners benefit from the marketing but may be carrying older less effective lasers.

To determine the effectiveness of the laser in melting fat or obtaining skin tightening, consider the wavelengths that are used.  SlimLipo uses two wavelengths that are highly effective in melting fat or tightening the skin while minimizing collateral damage.  The more recent SmartLipo devices have become better at doing the same. 

I own the SlimLipo device and would say that it enhances the results I would obtain by liposuction alone.  Having said that, the degree of skin tightening has its limit, so I would not advocate this as an alternative to a tummy tuck if your primary concern is skin laxity.  A much stronger result can be obtained by a tummy tuck.

Both lasers still require tumescent solution being infiltrated into the tissues prior to applying the laser, and then requires a cannula to be inserted to remove the melted fat.  Laser liposuction often adds time to the procedure but has the potential benefit of less bruising and more skin tightening than traditional liposuction.

Laser liposuction has now been around awhile and is losing favor among many lipo experts because of less than acceptable results including skin burns, contour irregularities and puckering.  The skin tightening was never really appreciated because of minimal results but there are docs out there that can do a decent job with laser liposuctions and the cost is much cheaper now because of the results.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Web reference: http://www.TheBestLipoDoc.com/drdavidhansen/landing/