Types of Liposuction

No matter your age or walk of life, you likely have an idea of what you consider to be your dream silhouette. Maybe you work out a lot, yet those last five pounds refuse to budge. Maybe you’d like to regain a semblance of your pre-baby body. Or you may want a more proportionate look. Either way, you think that undergoing liposuction could help. However, not all of these procedures are created equal. How can you know which one is best for you? Turns out, it depends on your specific desired results.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a cosmetic enhancement designed to remove excess subcutaneous fat (the adipose tissue that lies right beneath the skin). The procedure can be performed in any body part you’d like to contour — such as your waist, arms, buttocks, abdomen, hips, back, face, chest, chest, and/or legs.

Types of Liposuction

Although there are many types of liposuction, at Innovations Medical, we only perform minimally-invasive ones. Specifically, we offer Tickle/Vibro, SmartLipo, LipoSonix, and Liposuction Breast Reduction.

1. Tickle/Vibro Liposuction

During a Tickle/Vibro liposuction — also known as vibration-assisted liposuction — a doctor makes a small incision in the area to be treated. They’ll then insert a vibrating tool to remove high amounts of fat, making it a good solution for bigger targeted areas. It removes fat quicker than traditional liposuction and produces a smoother result. At Innovations Medical, we were the first facility to provide this type of treatment in the United States.

2. SmartLipo

SmartLipo is another minimally-invasive procedure. It requires local anesthesia and a small incision on the targeted body area. The doctor then inserts a thin instrument that uses a laser to melt fat and tighten the skin. This helps prevent sagging that could be the result of traditional liposuction. The skin tightening ability of SmartLipo is the main reason for its use. At Innovations Medical we add SmartLipo to almost all of our liposuction cases.

3. LipoSonix

LipoSonix is an FDA-approved procedure that uses ultrasound waves to remove fat cells — meaning that no surgery is necessary. This is achieved thanks to a technology called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). These energy waves are focused one to two centimeters below the surface of the skin, causing fat cells to be destroyed, then flushed out of the body. As a result, the average patient could lose up to two inches from the circumference of the treated area — about one pant size if you’re targeting your waist/hips area. Because the fat cells are flushed out of the body gradually, it could take several months to see the full results.

4. Liposuction Breast Reduction

As the name implies, liposuction breast reduction — also known as a mammoplasty — is designed to reduce the size of the breasts. It is an ideal solution for women whose breast size is uncomfortable, causes back pain, or is too disruptive to everyday life. The procedure involves using local anesthesia, then using a laser to melt fat and tighten the skin. It requires a small incision around the breasts, and can be completed within two hours.

5. Traditional Liposuction

This type of liposuction requires a surgical procedure. Depending on the area to be treated, you may need general or local anesthesia. If you require general anesthesia, you will be given a sedative to become unconscious. Healthcare providers will then monitor your heart rate and blood pressure throughout the operation. A surgeon makes an incision on your skin, inserts either a metal rod with ultrasonic energy, a high-intensity laser, or a cannula that’s moved back and forth to break down fat, then suction it out of the body. It may require several hours, and require fluid drainage from the incisions.

Who is an ideal candidate for liposuction?

In order to be a good candidate for liposuction, you must meet certain requirements. These include:

• Being close to your ideal body weight range
• Having realistic expectations
• Being in good overall physical and mental health
• Being a non-smoker
• Doing it because you want to do it — not because you feel pressured to do so

If You’re Thinking About Cosmetic Enhancements, Contact Innovations Medical

If you’re looking to reshape your body and boost your self-confidence, Innovations Medical is here for you. We’ll answer your questions and resolve any concerns you have about cosmetic procedures. We’ve been helping our patients look their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.

To explore cosmetic options and learn how Innovations Medical can bounce back your body, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule a consultation.