Lipolysis (laser): does it entirely remove fat cells like Liposuction does?

Question

Hi. I think it's all in the subject :)  I read that Liposuction entirely remove fat cells, and being a physical removal it seems logical.What about laser Lipolysis? Does it also somehow remove the fat cells entirely?I am asking because my excess fat is minimal - I am actually an athlete, but I have a layer of fat around my abdomen that just won't go away even with an athlete's regime of eating and training (I don't simply exercise, I train for competitions, which is an order of magnitude more intensive). So, I have been recommended Lipolysis instead of Liposuction, but I want the result to stick longer, hence my doubt.Thanks for your help.

Barbara Padilla, MD · Answer

At most, non-invasive laser lipolysis procedures (whether cold or hot) will reduce the amount of fat by 20% to 30%. And yes, the targeted fat cells are permanently destroyed. If you are looking to remove more than this, a good option is laser-assisted liposuction (such as Smartlipo) which is minimally invasive and done in an office visit with local anesthesia. I suggest you find a provider in your local area who offers both forms of treatment and go in for a consultation to see which approach is best in your particular case.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Nothing removes all fat cells in any part of the body. Lipo removes a large number of fat cells from the treatment site, but it also leaves many fat cells behind. If all fat were removed, the overlying skin would be severely damaged and might even become necrotic, and the contours would look awful. The artistry and skill in achieving an excellent lipo result has everything to do with leaving just the right amount of fat intact in just the right places. Laser lipolysis is simply regular lipo with an extra fat-burning step jammed in. The fat that is targeted is fat near the skin. The reason this is done (the entire point of laser lipo) is to heat the skin and cause it to shrink faster than it would without laser heating. Nothing more, nothing less. Being an athlete doesn't change this.

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Most surgeons add some form of liposuction to their laser lipolysis. Without any liposuction, to the extent that fat cells are destroyed by the laser, the body will remove them through its normal scavenger processes for removing dead cells in the body. Another consideration for you would be some of the non-invasive fat destroying devices such as Vanquish Me, SculpSure and CoolSculpting.I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Lipolysis (laser): does it entirely remove fat cells like Liposuction does?

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Lipolysis (laser): does it entirely remove fat cells like Liposuction does?

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Everything you need to know about Laser Liposuction

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