Infrared sauna and spanx following liposuction. Will this help to reduce the swelling and improve skin tone?

Dear Evidencebased,

In general, the overall aesthetic
goal following lipo contouring surgery is to remove the ideal proportion of
fat, achieve soft tissue thermally-based contraction, which is mediated by
post-operative control of the soft tissue contraction with the use of
compression garments and energy devices to achieve pleasing aesthetic
contours.

Depending on your age, skin tone
and elasticity and amount of fat removed, the use of energy-assisted devices,
such as radiofrequency-assisted liposuction (BodyTite™), laser-assisted liposuction (SmartLipo™) and ultrasound-assisted liposuction (VASER® lipo) are likely the most important factors, together with
the amount of fat removed, in determining overall soft tissue contraction and
contour following liposuction. To rely
on non-energy assisted older liposuction techniques is to lose the opportunity
to get between 17% and 35% additional skin contraction following removal of the
fat.

I have been performing liposuction
for almost 20 years; the past 14 or 15 years with energy-assisted devices. There is good evidence-based medicine in
peer-reviewed journals that show between 17% and 35% area contraction can be
achieved when using SmartLipo™ or
BodyTite™ energy-assisted
liposuction. Obviously, there will be
some controversy with physicians that don’t offer these technologies, but most
of this evidence is available with Google searches and you can certainly make
your own decision.

Post-operatively, I would highly
recommend them more expensive, but high-tech, true liposuction compression
garments. These provide between 27mm and
29mm of mercury pressure per square centimetre, which provide optimal extrinsic
compression, but don’t compromise lymphatic drainage. Unfortunately, Spanx® and other types of support garments don’t provide optimal
soft tissue compression. In some areas
that have laxity, I will even insert small drains temporarily, post-operatively,
to induce negative pressure internally to facilitate early contraction and
adhesion of the soft tissue to the underlying muscle.

You are completely right that
liposuction and lipo contouring surgery is expensive. A patient’s high expectations for excellent
outcome usually demand a thorough, multidimensional approach on the part of the
physician to ensure excellent contour, skin contraction and aesthetic results.To find out more about high-tech,
energy-assisted liposuction techniques, please refer to the website listed
below.

Hope this helps, best of luck.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.