Have you struggled with pockets of extra fat that seem resistant to diet and exercise? Laser liposuction may provide the results you’re looking for with less downtime than traditional liposuction.
Considered to be the newest way to remove excess fat, laser liposuction is a groundbreaking technique to enhance your body’s contours. At Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute (CASI) in Rosemont, IL, we provide our patients with state-of-the-art treatments to achieve their aesthetic goals.
Serving Chicago, Hoffman Estates, and the surrounding areas, we focus on customized treatments that prioritize convenience and comfort.
If you’ve considered liposuction but the idea of anesthesia and a lengthy recovery time have deterred you, laser liposuction may offer the solution you’re seeking.
What Is Laser Liposuction?
What is laser liposuction? Answering this question first requires knowledge of traditional liposuction procedures. Traditional liposuction removes fat from areas through a suction cannula. This thin tube is placed inside a surgical incision. Then, the tube sucks out fat cells.
Laser liposuction is a similar procedure. However, in laser liposuction, first, fat cells are pretreated using a laser fiber below the skin to melt the cells. Then the suction cannula removes them from the body.
What Are the Differences Between Traditional and Laser Liposuction Treatments?
There are some crucial differences between traditional liposuction and laser liposuction treatments. The differences in the procedures and their results allow patients to find an option that works best for them. In addition, the two methods vary in target areas, anesthesia requirements, and recovery times.
Capability
While traditional and laser liposuction both remove fat deposits, laser liposuction serves as a better option for patients seeking mild to moderate fat removal with skin tightening. Unlike laser contouring, conventional surgical liposuction treatments can remove significant amounts of fat but can’t tighten skin.
In laser liposuction treatments, the heat from the laser melts fat cells while tightening and firming the surrounding tissue, resulting in a slimmer and more toned appearance after the procedure. In addition, since the laser allows us to target fat cells precisely, you can achieve a more sculpted appearance overall.
Anesthesia
Since traditional liposuction removes larger volumes of fat, the procedure requires incisions and sutures. Patients sometimes need drains to help remove extra fluid after the procedure.
Laser liposuction uses a much thinner cannula and often requires no incisions, instead using insertion points that need only a bandage post-procedure. In addition, many laser liposuction treatments use local anesthesia and a mild sedative, and patients can expect to be awake and relaxed throughout the procedure.
Recovery
With no need for sutures or general anesthesia, laser liposuction is a more straightforward procedure and recovery overall. In addition, since the laser breaks up the fat before it’s suctioned out, the surrounding tissues experience less force during laser liposuction. As a result, the procedure results in less bruising and discomfort.
People recovering from traditional liposuction often need a week before resuming work and another four to six weeks before returning to regular activities and exercise. However, with laser liposuction, patients are typically up and moving soon after the treatment.
What Happens in a Laser Liposuction Treatment?
Laser liposuction is typically an in-office procedure that takes less than an hour to complete. It’s often used to remove stubborn areas of fat from the stomach, thighs, hips, calves, back, and face.
To prepare for your treatment, we’ll first apply a local anesthetic. Once the area is completely numbed, we’ll make a tiny incision and insert the laser fiber under the skin. The laser will melt the fat that sits under the skin and perforate the cells, deflating them.
In addition to liquefying fat cells, the laser reduces bleeding by supporting coagulation. Once the cells are liquefied, we’ll insert the suction cannula into the same incision site and suck out the liquefied fat. Any remaining destroyed fat cells will be flushed out through the lymphatic system.
Once we remove fat from the appropriate areas, we’ll cover your incision with a bandage, and your treatment is complete.
Many patients feel ready to resume their everyday activities within one to two days. There are no activity restrictions or required downtime after the procedure. However, some patients may want to rest for a few days, depending on their treatment area.
When Will I See Results?
After your laser liposuction treatment, you’ll see initial results about a week after your session. Then, as swelling subsides and your body continues to flush the destroyed fat cells from your lymphatic system, your results will gradually improve.
By three months after your procedure, your body should have flushed the remaining fat from your system. In addition, the increased collagen and elastin production from the treatment should reveal smoother, tighter skin.
Unlike many body contouring treatments, you only need one laser liposuction treatment to experience complete results. However, patients can choose to have multiple treatments to target various areas.
How Long Do Laser Liposuction Results Last?
Once the fat cells are destroyed through laser liposuction, they’re gone forever, making laser liposuction a long-term solution to stubborn areas of fat. However, since the remaining fat cells can still grow larger, it’s essential to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to continue enjoying the results of your procedure.
Is Laser Liposuction Right for You?
The best candidates for laser liposuction have areas where mild to moderate pockets of fat persist despite diet and exercise efforts to reduce them.
At Chicago Aesthetic Surgery Institute, we can determine the best treatment to reduce stubborn fat and help you achieve your desired figure. Schedule your consultation at our convenient Rosemont, IL, offices serving Chicago, Hoffman Estates, and the surrounding areas.
