One of the scariest things about any cosmetic procedure for many people is the thought of going under the knife. But with so many types of non-invasive liposuction procedures on the market, you can slim down with minimal pain.
Traditional liposuction involved inserting a cannula into the patient’s body and sucking the fat out through the tube using a type of vacuum. Non-invasive liposuction uses lasers to do most of the work, which cuts down on the trauma to the skin. Whether you choose laser, drug, or ultrasound non-invasive liposuction, you’ll find the extra cost negligible, compared to the recovery time required for other liposuction procedures.
The term non-invasive liposuction is a bit of a misnomer. In almost all lipo procedures, a small tube called a cannula is inserted into the skin. In the case of ultrasound non-invasive liposuction, the tube is used to direct the ultrasonic waves, as well as to remove the fat after ultrasound waves break it up. Ultrasound non-invasive liposuction has been found to be more risky, however. A less risky alternative, called external ultrasonic liposuction, delivers the energy without the use of the cannula, but this technique is not very widely used.
Laser non-invasive liposuction has become extremely popular in recent years. Various forms of laser non-invasive liposuction are available, including the highly advertised Smart Lipo. With laser liposuction, the laser is directed to fat cells via a sucking tube inserted into the skin. That’s how the fat is removed, once it has been liquefied.
Another form of non-invasive liposuction involves using fat-melting drugs to liquefy the it. The active ingredient in the medication delivered to the patient is phosphatidylcholine. Commonly known under the procedure LipoDissolve, medical non-invasive liposuction has not been proven effective as have the other methods. While the active ingredient has been approved by the FDA to shrink fat cells that may cause heart problems, it has not been approved for cosmetic procedures. Adverse side effects have also been reported by the FDA, so be sure to study up before visiting your cosmetic surgeon.
Phosphatidylcholine is also available in pill and liquid form, also known as Lecithin. Naturally found in beef, steak, oranges, and many other foods, phosphatidylcholine is often given to patients to help lower cholesterol. Whether or not this drug actually promotes weight loss is still up for debate, but Lecithin is widely available as an herbal, over-the-counter drug, claiming to also help with heart health, arthritis relief, and several other important health issues.
Non-invasive liposuction has many benefits over traditional liposuction. Because of the technology used in dissolving fat cells, the cannula produces less trauma to the skin, resulting in reduced bruising and lessening healing time measurably. Bleeding after the procedure is usually minimal, which means the compression garments usually required after liposuction are not required for non-invasive liposuction procedures. Some patients are able to return to work immediately following the procedure, making it similar to the much-touted “lunchtime lipo” procedures. However, many doctors would recommend rest after this kind of procedure, since rest promotes faster healing.
Only you know if non-invasive liposuction is right for you. Study all of the options and find a doctor who specializes in the kind of treatment you prefer. Even with non-invasive liposuction, it’s important to get referrals and make sure your procedure is done safely and reliably.
