Laser lipo: does it work and is it safe? what the doctors say (2023)

Laser liposuction is an FDA-approved, minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses laser energy to liquefy fat cells before they are sucked into a thin tube called a cannula.

By liquefying the fat to facilitate its removal, it is a less aggressive procedure than the traditional one.liposuctionwith less recovery time.

The heat from the laser also "stimulates collagen production to tighten the skin," he says.Dr. Ryan Neinstein, a plastic surgeon in New York City. This tightening effect is usually mild, but it can help prevent sagging skin once the underlying fat is removed.

“Energy-based liposuction [like laser] offers the best fat reduction andskin tighteningalong with contouring and shaping," saysDr. Jason Emer, a dermatologist surgeon in West Hollywood, California.

Like all liposuction, laser liposuction is a body contouring procedure that aims to reduce persistent pockets of excess fat; is not aweight loss solution. “Ideal candidates are those in their best possible shape before the procedure, with firm skin and only small areas of stubborn fat,” explains Dr. Emer.

The most popular treatment areas for laser liposuction are the arms, thighs, flanks (edges), neck and under the chin. It is also often used on the abdomen toliposculpture(also known as high-definition liposuction), to create the appearance of defined abs.

Actual self-advice:Although it has not been proven that laser liposuctionreduce cellulite, a study published inJournal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatologysays that "many surgeons have noticed an improvement in cellulite after laser lipolysis procedures." Your cellulite may appear less apparent after the procedure.

benefits

• Laser lipo permanently removes fat. As long as you maintain a consistent weight, the results will be long-lasting.
• It is a less invasive procedure and with much faster recovery than tumescent liposuction: just three to five days, versus one to two weeks.
• This type of liposuction also offers some skin firming benefits.
• You only need one procedure to get dramatic results that will be immediately apparent.

Contras

• As fat liquefies, it is not feasible to transfer it to other areas of the body (for example, as part of abrazilian butt lift) or the darling.
• If an inappropriate wavelength is delivered with too much heat, laser liposuction can cause burns.
• Laser liposuction is not a cellulite treatment.
• It is also not ideal for anyone looking to significantly reduce body weight. Good candidates are already (or very close) to their ideal weight.

Actual self-advice:energy basedbody contouring treatmentsmay be a good option for those who want to avoid surgery. Just keep your expectations realistic: the results won't be as dramatic as liposuction treatments for fat removal (laser or otherwise). You can also expect that multiple sessions over several months will be required to achieve the desired results.

The endlipo laseris sometimes used to describe non-invasive treatments such asi-lipo,Zero, youstrawberry laser lipo, which are not laser liposuction. These treatments use energy to shrink fat cells.

Because laser lipolysis does not liquefy or remove unwanted fat deposits, multiple sessions are often required, usually twice a week for at least four weeks.

While some results may be immediately apparent, it takes your body months to fully metabolize the contents of the released fat cells, so you won't see final results for another two to six months.

The results of a true laser lipo treatment (likesmart lipo) are permanent, whereas the results of laserlipolysis are not. Without a regular exercise routine and a healthy diet, triglycerides can build up again in fat cells after laser lipolysis and reverse the results.

Laser liposuction is much more expensive than laser lipolysis, but RealSelf members give these non-surgical treatments much lower value ratings than true laser liposuction.

If you are interested in actual laser liposuction, consult a certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon for consultation and confirm the details of the procedure you are discussing.

Related:From High Tech to High Definition: How Popular Tools and Techniques Are Reshaping Liposuction

• Average cost:
• $ 5.275

• Range:
• US$ 450 - US$ 10.625

The price you pay for this cosmetic procedure will depend on your provider's credentials, your location, the extent of your procedure and whether you have local or general anesthesia, in addition to a few other important factors.

Elective plastic surgery is not covered by insurance.

You can finance your treatment withCareCredit.

See our complete guide to laser liposuction costs

Good candidates for laser liposuction are healthy, physically active adults who are less than 10 pounds of their ideal weight.

This is a procedure for those who want to remove stubborn fat from specific areas of the body.

They arenoa good candidate for laser liposuction if:

• Are you looking for a procedure to lose weight?
• Have excess or sagging skin from previous weight loss
• You have underlying health conditions, such as heart disease.
• You are taking a medication that may increase your risk of bleeding, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, or blood thinners

Actual self-advice:If you are also interested in fat transfer to add volume to areas such as lips, breasts or buttocks, considerliposuction VASERinstead of laser lipo. The fat that is melted through laser liposuction is not viable for transferring fat to other areas of the body or face. VASER lipo, on the other hand, uses ultrasonic vibration to break down fat cells before they are removed, making them still viable for transfer.

True laser lipo works extremely well, especially when compared to non-surgical alternatives. “The results of this laser liposuction procedure are 60-80% more effective than non-invasive fat reduction procedures such asCoolSculpting, which requires several sessions,” saysDr. Felipe Schoenfeld, a facial plastic surgeon in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

The procedure itself takes 45 minutes to an hour per treatment area. That's how it works.

• First, your surgeon will mark the areas where he plans to remove excess fat and refine your body's contours.
• An anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia. Laser liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia orgeneral anesthesiadepending on your surgeon's preference and the extent of your procedure.
• Once the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon will make a small incision in the skin and insert a thin laser probe into the fat.
• They will fire the laser at a suitable wavelength to liquefy the fat without burning the surrounding tissue.
• They will then suck out the fat through a thin tube called a cannula.

Actual self-advice:The amount of fat removed during laser lipo varies by patient, but surgeons generally follow recommended guidelines to ensure safety. "Most board-certified plastic surgeons or dermatologists will follow the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and American Academy of Dermatology recommendation on this matter: a maximum of five liters per session," equivalent to about 11 pounds, he says. Newport Beach, CA. plastic surgeonDr. Hisham Seify.Your surgeon will judge how much you can safely remove based on your body type, weight and height.

A laser lipo procedure is not at all painful, thanks to the anesthesia.

However, people often feel extremely sore and uncomfortable during the first few days of recovery. “Patients should expect approximately 48 hours of discomfort, during which time they will take pain relievers and recover by reducing daily activities to heal,” says Dr. Neinstein.

Most patients need about three days of downtime after a laser liposuction procedure. “Treating multiple areas at once can require a little more downtime, as each area treated will be sore and tender,” says Dr. Neinstein.

You'll be able to return to most of your normal activities (including work) in about four days, but you'll need to wait a week or two before hitting the gym.

Your doctor will likely also recommend that you use acompression garmentfor one to two weeks to help reduce swelling and prevent sagging skin.

Yes, laser lipo results can be permanent. Once the fat cells are sucked out, they are gone forever.

However, the remaining fat cells can still expand if you gain weight. It is important to maintain a stable weight after the procedure to maintain results.

The most common side effects of laser liposuction are bruising, numbness and swelling. That said, the heat from the laser coagulates small blood vessels, resulting in less bruising than with tumescent lipo. You'll also have less swelling because liquefied fat is easier to remove, so there's less trauma to the surrounding tissue.

An infection or bleeding is also possible after the procedure.

Another possible complication is dents or asymmetry. “All liposuction procedures, including laser liposuction, also carry the risk of contour irregularities,” warns Dr. Schoenfeld.

Burns are another risk, and severe burns can lead to skin necrosis (tissue death) and scarring. An experienced and certified plastic surgeon should be able to control the skin's temperature and reaction to heat to reduce the risk of burns.

Your surgeon should discuss all of these risks with you during your initial consultation.

CoolSculpting is one of the most popular options for non-surgical fat reduction. Instead of using lasers, CoolSculpting freezes fat cells, which are then removed from the body through the lymphatic system, without the need for a cannula.

while theaverage cost of CoolSculptingit's about half of what you'd pay for laser lipolas, RealSelf members offerLower rating is worth it.

It also takes longer to see results from CoolSculpting - most people don't see significant results from CoolSculpting until they've had two or three treatments and wait another two months or so for the dead fat cells to naturally clear away.