Are There Negatives Associated with Lipo Laser Treatment?

Question

I am considering getting a lipo laser treatment session done (the spa says it is a non-invasive cold laser that liquefies fat cells), but I am concerned about future uneven fat redistribution or the skin looking lumpy. Can this happen with this treatment? Are there other negatives associated with this treatment?

Robert J. Schwartz, MD · Answer

Liposuction by definition means that areas of unwanted fat are suctioned out of the body altogether, resulting in a more precise result with respect to body contouring and fat elimination at localized areas of the body.  It sounds as though you are describing another method of fat reduction which will likely only reduce a percentage of fat at the treatment site and possibly require multiple treatments.  Additionally, the other side effects you mentioned are also a possibility with non-invasive cold lasers.  Your goals for body contouring, your budget, and the amount of downtime you desire are going to dictate what treatment will fit the bill for you.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, with any effective procedure there will always be potential complications. In general, the complications are the same that can occur with traditional or any other liposuction including: infection, bleeding, swelling, discoloration. However, problems such as rippling and waviness of the skin seem to be less. Theoretical problems specific to Vaser ultrasound can include burns at the skin edge where the cannula is inserted but, an experienced board certified surgeon will use skin guards to protect the area, and like all of these potential problems, they should rarely occur. Vaser, like other liposuction procedures is a generally safe, commonly performed and well liked by my patients, providing excellent long-term results. Find a board-certified surgeon that has extensive experience with this procedure. Best of luck! #RealSelf100

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

All medical treatments have their complications. Laser liposuction is an excellent and relatively safe procedure used to remove excess fat from the body. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian

Vivek Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Uneven skin can occur with all types of procedures, but some are very low risk, others are very high risk. This sounds like Cool Sculpting which is well regarded as a safe option if implemented correctly, with a proper patient selection. About 25% of the fat treated in the area is lost, but that leaves 75%. Therefore, you need to pencil out the costs, and see how much you want to remove versus how much it will cost to just do Vaser liposuction. See a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon first for a consultation I hope this helps.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

I haven't seen any good results with the non invasive laser liposuctions since the before and after photos look the same so therefore the risks are probably minimal to zero.  The invasive laser liposuctions do have risks and problems with dimpling, nerve damage, puckered skin  and burned skin. That is why they are becoming the cheapest lipos and not done by many of us who specialize in liposuctions. There are some docs who can do a good job with laser lipos but that is not common. Sincerely,

	David Hansen,MD

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

there is no way to remove fat and never have un even results and wt. gain may produce more uneveness.  i think non invasive fat removal is less effective than liposuction but if the areas are small then it might be worth a try

Harold Bautista, MD, FACS · Answer

HEAT: The very factor that offers greater skin tightening when laser liposuction is done compared to cold liposuction (standard tumescent) can lead to the increased risk of burns.  For safety sake seek consultation with a BCPS. Hope that helps. Also ask if their laser offers safety features like temperature cutoff that helps protect patients from burns. 
Dr B

Amir Nasir, MD · Answer

From your question it sounds like you are considering coolsculpting. This is not actually liposuction. Coolsculpting uses cold to induce apoptosis in fat cells. Liposuction is when the fat cells and tissue are manually removed from various parts of your body using long, thin tubes (canulas) through very small incisions. Laser liposuction involves using a laser to either help "melt" fat to make it easier to remove or to help "tighten" the skin after the liposuction is complete.

There are pros and cons to all of these techniques and I would say having an uneven distribution is a risk of all of the procedures. That's why in my opinion if you are going to have this done, I would recommend going to a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience doing this so that her or she can go over all of the risks, benefits, and alternatives with you in detail.

I hope this is helpful and I wish you good health and happiness!

Jonathan Weiler, MD · Answer

Yes, absolutely, there are risks associated with all invasive treatments. First, make sure your doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon, not a part time laser lipo doctor. Anyone with a medical license can perform lipo, but to achieve smooth, natural results without post-operative issues it takes skill and practice. good luck!

Are There Negatives Associated with Lipo Laser Treatment?

Answers (9)

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