This patient demonstrates a now-contoured abdomen and flanks following ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). UAL is one of the liposuction alternatives yielding more transformative results versus traditional liposuction techniques.
Liposuction alternatives are multifold and include various modalities introduced over the last few years. To begin with, we will present traditional liposuction, which utilizes a tumescent solution to numb up and constrict the vessels that traverse throughout the fat.
Following the infiltration of the tumescent solution, the fat cells are removed using cannulas with holes on the tip that rip out the semisolid fat cells. This traditional liposuction has been replaced with multiple liposuction alternatives that include:
Liposuction Alternatives
Alternatives to liposuction surgical procedures have been developed to provide several advantages. These may include utilizing or transferring energy to help remove fat deposits. Liposuction is considered an aggressive and invasive procedure that requires ripping out fat cells. As such, any modification that reduces the physical irritation of fat cells is considered advantageous, as it will reduce recovery times and potentially improve fat grafting viability when performing fat transfer procedures such as a Brazilian Butt Lift. Alternatives to liposuction today include:
1) Tickle liposuction uses infrasonic energy to release fat cells from retaining ligaments, making fat removal theoretically easy.
2) Power-assisted liposuction uses high oscillating powered cannulas that will make removing the semisolid fat quicker.
3) Laser-assisted liposuction uses laser energy to inject fat cells into a liquid form, making fat retrieval easier.
4) Vaser-assisted liposuction, as one of the liposuction alternatives, uses ultrasound energy to emulsify fat to allow for the most comprehensive removal of fat cells, resulting in transformative high-definition outcomes.
Less invasive liposuction alternatives include killing fat cells using the topical application of cold or heat. These machines provide minimal improvements in localized areas but need to be more realistic liposuction alternatives to treat the entire body contour. In addition, the cooling of fat cells, called cryolipolysis, has been associated with a paradoxical overgrowth of fat cells resulting in a bulge deformity, coined Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia.