Peers Cosmetic

When diet and exercise don’t seem to affect your “problem areas,” the advanced laser lipo technique may be an ideal solution. It’s not unusual for people to have one or two spots that, no matter how much gym time you log, still refuse to budge. The old stand-by of liposuction is certainly an option, but a new era in body sculpting has ushered in laser lipo, which offers better, safer results than in the past.

What is Laser Lipo?
Laser-assisted lipolysis, more commonly referred to as “laser lipo,” removes unwanted pockets of fat from the body—just like the old liposuction. The difference is in how the procedure is done. As its name implies, laser lipo incorporates laser technology to first break up and liquefy fat. The material is then suctioned out with the help of a small tube that’s inserted under the skin.
Laser lipo can be used on virtually any area of the body: chin, abs, hips, butt, thighs and more—basically, anywhere you want to get a smoother, firmer silhouette.

The Laser Lipo Experience
One of the biggest benefits of laser lipo versus traditional liposuction is that it doesn’t typically involve general anesthesia—which has the potential to cause life-threatening complications. Instead, the doctor will numb only the area to be treated using a local anesthetic. When the patient is ready, a device called a cannula is inserted under the skin and goes to work breaking down fat tissue. The cannula is pushed through the fat layers to both suction up the tissue and reshape the area. This procedure takes as little as a half hour for small areas and as long as several hours for larger areas or for patients who want multiple areas treated at once.
Afterward, the doctor will place a bandage or compression piece over the affected area, which will be worn for up to a week. Though patients don’t need to plan for a lot of downtime, most prefer to wait a few days before returning to work. After a day of rest, most people can resume light activity and return to their normal exercise routines within a couple of weeks.

Side Effects and Complications
Since general anesthesia is rarely used in laser lipo, patients are awake throughout the procedure and have fewer side effects afterward. The most common side effects include bruising, swelling and discomfort in the area that was treated. The compression garment and an over-the-counter pain reliever help relieve these conditions. Rarely, patients report nerve damage, numbness, bleeding and infection—all of which should be checked out by a doctor. Small scars will appear where the incisions were made, but the majority of patients report that they simply resemble tiny blemishes within just a few weeks of the procedure.
Body contouring has been transformed into a quick, safe and effective procedure that successfully removes unwanted pockets of fat. Before committing to laser lipo, however, make sure you choose an experienced doctor who provides the facts you need to make an informed decision.