Best Lipo option? Thoughts on Renuvion FDA warning?

You've been mislead by manufacturers and surgeons who purchase their machinery into thinking that a type of liposuction is somehow better than another type. Your research cannot find the articles only available to doctors that have shown consistently over the years that the machine is far less important than the human operating the machine. Energy based systems like Vaser and Smartlipo do NOT produce superior results to liposuction without laser or ultrasonic energy. What you need is a surgeons training, skill, and most importantly experience to achieve an excellent result. Renuvion was made example by the FDA without a clear understanding of the facts (yes, even the FDA gets things wrong). When used properly (not for skin resurfacing), it is far safer than Vaser and Smartlipo.

Thank you for your question. I reviewed your photos and based on those you are a great candidate for VASER Hi Def Lipo 360 degrees and fat transfer to the buttocks. Smartlipo is a laser, very ineffective and the temperatures are so high that the fat cells are destroyed. The VASER does not do that. As a Total Definer surgeon, I use the VASER on all my body sculpting patients and patient who are scarred internally from previous surgery done at other offices. In my personal experience of over 20 years of using the VASER technique for liposuction and fat grafting, I achieve good results. The surgeons who do not use these "energy" devices are usually not familiar with it or used it inappropriately.
Regarding the FDA warning about the Renuvion, you have to understand that this technology is used for subdermal tissue tightening and can also be used for facial skin resurfacing. This later indication is what the FDA warning is about.
See a board certified plastic surgeon experienced in advanced body sculpting techniques for an in person consultation/evaluation. See attached web reference. Good luck.

To me your thoughts have some faulty findings, as I also am 180 degrees in opposite to the well respected Dr Mowlavi. I never recommended any heat generated technology (VASER/SMART LIPO/etc) that would be useful in doing fat transfer. And after seeing many severe internal burns, skin losses, fibrosis cases from use of these technology options, I feel correct. Additionally, I do not believe heat generated fat recovery is viable as compared to the cannulae liposuction. I use only cannulae lipo with my fat transfers. As for J-Plasma/Renuvion, just another energy generating device that can cause serious complications. Do you really think the FDA would render a guidance policy without reports of larger #'s of these serious complications due solely to this helium energy device? I am treating/operating upon at least 3 cases of these complications now. Maybe you need to re think your options for lipo360/BBL.....

The Internet has changed life as we know it and cosmetic surgery is no exception.

People feel they can do homework and get educated and various procedures and make intelligent decisions for themselves.

I see this on a daily basis especially when answering questions on real self.

The truth is there is very little unbiased information available to the consumer and in reality consumers are unable to get well-versed or educated enough to make good decisions about cosmetic surgery.

This is why an intelligent patient recognizes that a surgeon is a Doctor Who can prescribe an operation.

Instead of trying to decipher through all the various information which all of it is biased it’s a better choice to rely on the education and experience of a board-certified plastic surgeon to do this for you.

For patients to choose the procedure based on the equipment is simply foolish.

The equipment has no impact on the outcome in comparison to who does the procedure.

This is literally exactly the same as choosing a mechanic or a contractor based on what brand tools they use.

There are obviously times where in medicine certain procedures are highly technology dependent and driven but plastic surgery is not one of these fields. I suppose laser treatments would be one.

Plastic surgeons who don’t have or work with lasers aren’t the ones to go to for laser treatments.

When it comes to Liposuction all various forms of Liposuction still use the exact same stainless steel cannula connected to a vacuum source to remove the fat.

Pre-treatment with a laser fiber A.k.a. smart Lipo has no impact on the liposuction treatment and while an ultrasound pre-treatment a.k.a. VASER can speed up the procedure and remove a bit more fat in last time it is not inherently a better procedure.

Renuvion has touted their device as being the latest and the greatest for skin tightening which all new Liposuction devices have claimed at some point.

I purchased the device early on and used it for a year. I literally saw zero skin tightening and none of my patients appreciated skin tightening either. After a while I simply couldn’t recommend using it because the only difference using Renuvion was that my patients had more pain during and after the procedure.

I’ve since sold that device.

When it comes to Liposuction patients should choose providers not Equipment.

Who does the procedure is the only variable that makes a difference and what a difference it makes.

Liposuction has the greatest variance in outcomes of any surgical procedure I’ve ever seen in my career.

Results vary from irreparable disfigurement to stunning body transformations. The difference is not because one doctor but the right equipment.

Delivering consistent high-quality Liposuction results is more difficult than most people believe. To master this technique requires doing thousands of cases and being devoted to mastering an intense learning curve that only begins during residency training.

In the end there are two variables that determine Liposuction results. They are the patient’s individual candidacy combined with the skill and experience of the surgeon.

Plastic surgeons have the equipment they need and if one equipment type or brand is clearly superior than everybody would be using it.

Be smart and focus exclusively on finding the most experienced and talented provider.

Do that by having multiple in person consultations. During consultations ask each provider to show their entire collection a before and after pictures. Seeing a handful of results representing the best work of their career is insufficient to get a clear understanding of what average results looks like for each provider.

An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing you 50 or more sets of before and after pictures highly experienced providers will have hundreds or thousands of before and after pictures for the procedure you’re interested in including the anatomic area.

Ask the provider to show better results, average results and less than results so you can understand the spectrum of outcomes.

Secondly I recommend patients read all the reviews on all the various physician review websites and avoid providers with any significant number of justified negative reviews.

The absence of justified negative reviews is more important and more telling than an abundance of positive reviews.

When in doubt slow down the process and simply schedule more consultations until you feel like you found the provider who is most experienced and talented at this procedure.

Juice the right plastic surgeon and everything false into place.

Liposuction is permanent and irreversible.

There’s no substitute for having quality in person consultations if you want to maximize your chance for having a quality outcome.

Good luck,

Mats Hagstrom MD

The best liposuction technique by far is the VASER liposuction. If you have redundant skin you must consider either Renuvion and/or skin excisional surgery. The FDA warning is concerning but we don't really know the basis for this warning at this time. We have observed excellent results at our office and utilize it if patients are consenting to its use despite the warning.
The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee