|  Ultrasonic
Liposuction (UAL) has been performed on thousands of patients
outside the United States since 1989. A number of peer review articles
about UAL have been published in Europe, Asia and South America
as well as in the US.
The following observations comparing the two techniques have been
compiled from these journals.
Traditional Tumescent Liposuction:
- Best suited for women and men close to their ideal weight.
- Best suited for women and men with good, i.e. youthful skin tone
and texture.
- Requires surgeon’s strength and dexterity to manipulate cannulas
to “shear” fat for suctioning.
- This method can be referred
to as “mechanical” liposuction as opposed to “ultrasonic”.
Ultrasonic Liposuction:
- Ultrasonic waves delivered through the cannula emulsify or liquefy
the fat while traditional liposuction requires manual effort to
pulverize adipose tissue.
- Ultrasonic waves actually target fat cells specifically, causing
them to “implode” and liquify for suction removal.
Because fat cells alone are selected, blood and tissue loss is
minimal.
- Ultrasonic techniques make difficult fibrous areas easier to
treat than traditional methods. These fibrous areas include the
male breast, upper abdomen and fatty deposits on the back.
- Traditional liposuction causes more tissue trauma and bruising
than ultrasonic techniques due to tissue destruction necessary
to manually break up the fat. Ultrasound emulsifies fat without
damaging adjacent tissue.
- ”Wavy” areas of fat that are sometimes side effects
of traditional liposuction are minimized by ultrasonic liposuction.
Ultrasonic techniques preserve skin retration and contraction.
Because ultrasound is so precise, this means smooth and even contouring
is more achievable.
- Ultrasonic liposuction may be performed on patients who are
overweight. This is possible due to decreased blood loss and skin
tightening observed with ultrasonic liposuction.
- Less postoperative pain has been reported by patients undergoing
ultrasonic liposuction.
- Ultrasonic liposuction procedures better skin retraction and
may improve cellulite.
No procedure is without risk. Surgical
training on ultrasonic liposuction is critical, even when the
surgeon is familiar with traditional or tumescent liposuction.
Most plastic and cosmetic surgeons are not yet familiar with the
use of ultrasound. Plastic surgeons agree that one procedure will
not replace another. Ultrasonic techniques will service to broaden
the number of candidates now suitable for liposuction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasonic Liposculpture
How do I know whether or not I am a candidate for ultrasonic
liposculpture?
Traditional tumescent liposuction has been very effective in young
patients with mild to moderate amounts of fat. Ultrasonic liposuction
expanded the number of patients suitable for body sculpting. This
includes patients with larger amounts of fat and less elastic skin
tone. It also allows us to treat areas not easily or effectively
treated in the past. This would include fibrous areas such as the
back, male breast and upper abdomen. A physical examination is required
in order to verify whether you are a candidate for this procedure.
What sets ultrasonic liposuction apart from traditional
tumescent liposuction?
What makes this so unique is the ability to gently liquify or emulsify
the fat without injuring the adjacent structures. This is a non-mechanical
method of dissolving the fat that also appears to tighten the skin.
There has been less blood loss, less bruising and decreased tissue
trauma observed. Ultrasonic liposuction allows us to also removed
fat in areas that were preciously unable to have liposuction such
as the back, upper abdomen and male breast.
How long has this procedure been available?
Ultrasonic liposuction has been performed on thousands of patients
outside the United States since 1989. Recently, ultrasonic liposuction
has been introduced into this country.
What are the possible risks and complications of ultrasonic
liposuction?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications.
The specific risks and complications that are unique to ultrasonic
liposuction include skin burns and unknown long-term effects. A
detailed list of the risks and complications is contained in the
informed consent and your doctor will explain each to you.
What medical conditions might exclude me from being a candidate?
A patient needs to be in good medical condition in order to undergo
this or other elective procedures. A patient should have the ability
to heal incisions and adequately fight infections, and no medical
contraindications such as a heart or lung disease. Heavier patients
are now candidates for this type of procedure; however, obese patients
with medical contraindications are not candidates. Patients with
excessive amounts of redundant skin are not candidates for this
procedure.
Is camera equipment utilized with this procedure? If not,
how can you ‘see’ what you are doing?
The ultrasonic liposuction equipment is highly sophisticated. The
fat is dissolved by the ultrasonic waves that are emitted from the
end of a cannula. This liquified fat is then gently aspirated away.
While endoscopic techniques have been utilized to inspect the areas
in which the fat has been removed, it is not necessary on a routine
basis. This is because the results are immediately visible, just
as when ice or snow melts in the sun.
Does ultrasonic liposuction cost more than traditional
tumescent liposuction?
Yes, ultrasonic liposuction does cost more than traditional liposuction.
Because more areas can be treated in one setting and because it
takes more time, the cost is necessarily greater. The ultrasonic
equipment is also much more costly than traditional tumescent liposuction
devices. The benefits of ultrasonic liposuction justify the additional
time it takes to perform the procedure and the additional financial
expense. Often the additional cost is offset by the reduction in
the number of procedures required.
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