Liposuction Overview

Liposuction has become one of the most popular elective surgeries performed today both around the world and among our patients in Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. With the ability to remove fat cells once and for all from troubled areas such as the abdomen, hips, and thighs, millions of people have chosen liposuction to help them achieve the body of their dreams. Liposuction is more than simply removing unwanted fat. It can be used to improve chin and necklines, minimize pouchy cheeks, and to slim areas such as knees, upper arms, and the back. For people who have tried dieting only to find they are still dealing with unwanted zones of fat, liposuction can provide the slim shape that nature has been withholding.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the removal of unwanted subcutaneous fat cells from the body. In other words, the fat that exists just below the skin. We all carry fat throughout our body, including around our organs, but most people associate unwanted fat with the fat that is right below the skin - the areas you can pinch. Liposuction targets this unwanted fat by suctioning it out of the body via a small incision and a cannula (a hollow stainless steel tube). The most common area to have liposuction performed for both men and women is in the abdominal region. However, almost any part of the body that carries unwanted distribution of fat cells can be targeted. It's even used for breast reductions in some women.

There are several methods of liposuction from which to choose. They include traditional liposuction (including the "wet method), tumescent liposuction (including hydroliposculpture), and several generations of ultrasonic liposuction. Traditional liposuction is generally expensive, with higher complication rates and moderate levels of improvement in the affected areas. Ultrasonic liposuction, best performed by experienced surgeons, can nonetheless produce serious complications. Tumescent liposuction, the safest and most economical of all techniques, produces the most predictable results.

Traditional, tumescent and ultrasonic suction are the main categories of liposuction methods, but there are many different combinations of liposuction techniques. All have varying degrees of risk, patient comfort and quality of results. So, it is important to thoroughly discuss your surgeon's treatment approach, any health issues or concerns you may have, and your expected results prior to agreeing to surgery.

Dr. Hall can help you determine the most appropriate treatment for your needs. Send us an e-mail or call 480-946-7100 for a consultation.

The History Of Liposuction

Dr. Hall, specializes in tumescent liposuction, a popular technique he uses to treat clients in and around Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona. Tumescent liposuction is one of the safest, most effective methods of liposuction, yet it has only been available since the mid-1980s. For several years prior to the introduction of tumescent liposuction, even traditional methods were not available in the United States.

Dr. Giorgio Fischer, a gynecologist, invented liposuction in Rome, Italy. The procedure was performed there for four years before Dr. Illouz, a plastic surgeon from Paris, France began treating patients in 1978. Finally, amid much fanfare, the procedure made its way to the U.S. in 1982. But its popularity was not without controversy due to several related deaths and a growing list of complications. Unfortunately, many of the deaths were caused by overly confident plastic surgeons who combined the procedure with abdominoplasty (tummy tucks).

In 1985, Dr. Jeffrey Klein and Dr. Patrick Lillis, both dermatologic surgeons, invented what is the original Klein Tumescent Technique. This method of liposuction allows the selective numbing of large areas of subcutaneous fat by local anesthesia. The technique uses a special formula of sterile dilute salt water, adrenaline, lidocaine and bicarbonate to enlarge fatty tissues for easier penetration of the suctioning wand (cannula). This reduces trauma to the area and the solution reduces pain, bleeding and complications.

Since its introduction, some surgeons have chosen to modify Dr. Klein's technique. However, these modifications have proven harmful to patients undergoing the procedure. They have also proven confusing to medical professionals who are responsible for informing and educating consumers who are considering liposuction treatments.

Dr. Hall practices the original tumescent technique as developed by Dr. Klein. Twenty years after its introduction, the Klein Tumescent Technique is still the safest method of liposuction available. To learn more about Tumescent Liposuction, e-mail us or call 480-946-7100 today.

The History Of SmartLipo

Pioneered in Europe, the SmartLipo procedure is the first laser-assisted liposuction procedure. SmartLipo was approved by the FDA in November of 2006 and has quickly been labeled the cutting edge procedure in cosmetic surgery.

The introduction of fluid and anesthetic reduced blood loss and alleviated the need for general anesthesia. Recovery times were shortened as well, further improving the overall liposuction experience. In the 1990's, there was some experimenting with additional technologies in an effort to liquefy the fat cells and further simplify and refine the removal process. These efforts resulted in various lipolysis or liposuction techniques, like: ultrasonic lipo, Smartlipo, Laserlipo, Waterjet Lipo and others.

Precise and safe, today's medical-grade lasers work by creating a powerful light beam that is adjusted to a specific frequency range. SmartLipo is different in that it uses a carefully calibrated laser to liquefy fat deposits through the top layers of the patient's skin. The laser actually ruptures fat cells, and the resulting oily, liquid substance is then removed through a tiny incision in the skin by the surgeon. According to SmartLipo's manufacturer, Cynosure, the SmartLipo system has quickly become one of the most successful liposuction procedures in the cosmetic surgery field for its use of cutting-edge technology.

With a 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser, the wattage ranges from 6W to 18W, and the higher the wattage allows for a faster procedure. As the laser liquefies fat cells, the laser will simultaneously coagulate small blood vessels, preventing bleeding and swelling. A hollow cannula is also used to suction out the fat cells and speed the recovery process.

If you're seeking a cutting-edge, highly effective method to significantly improve the safety and efficiency of many surgical techniques, then SmartLipo is definitely the technique you'll want to consider.