Question: I have been seeing advertisements for laser liposuction. Is this a significant breakthrough in liposuction surgery and, if so, what are the benefits?
Answer: To be very frank, laser-assisted liposuction is purely gimmick. The technique of tumescent liposuction remains the gold standard for excellent results and rapid healing. Other so-called advances such as ultrasonic
liposuction were the rage and have since proved to be just another device to attract publicity. When done correctly, tumescent liposuction is every bit as non-invasive as a laser when done in small areas, such as under the chin (submental). Physicians looking for a niche in the cosmetic surgery market often use attention-grabbing techniques which lack true long-term substantiation. You will not find experienced, well-known surgeons doing procedures like this unless they have been established as having results that are extremely superior to a traditional method.
In the past decade a number of medical treatments have been created specifically for use in physicians’ offices. Such treatments offer easier accessibility and lower costs to a patient compared to utilizing a hospital, while creating a specialized market for a doctor’s practice. When the surgery in question involves multiple sites or larger areas, however, it is always a much safer route to have the procedure done in an accredited surgery center or hospital. There, trained emergency staff and services are readily available if necessary. Laser-assisted liposuction is a procedure only available in physicians’ offices.
Your best bet is to consult an established surgeon with proven experience in liposuction surgery and ask to see their results.
