Liposuction involves removing excess body fat using special tools, performed by Dr. Massey in Santa Monica. This cosmetic surgery aims to enhance body appearance and create smoother contours.

Areas commonly targeted by liposuction include under the chin, neck, cheeks, upper arms, breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles.

While liposuction in general can improve aesthetics, there are a few techniques to take note of and understand each of their advantages and drawbacks. So before considering liposuction, be sure to carefully learn about the different types of liposuction and see which may best fit your goals.

Tumescent Liposuction

There are areas of the body that don’t improve with diet or exercise. Removing fat from these areas is called tumescent liposuction. The chief benefit is that the surgeon will use a solution that will reduce blood flow to the area temporarily, which will drastically reduce the loss of blood during the procedure. The main disadvantage is that tumescent liposuction doesn’t remove as much fat as traditional liposuction, making it better for people who only need a little contouring.

Ultrasonic Liposuction

This kind of liposuction uses sound waves to break up the fat beforehand. Its chief benefit is that the recovery timeline is shorter than with other forms of liposuction. The downside is that it’s only for small pockets of fat, so it’s not great for people who need much more than that removed.

Laser-Assisted Liposuction

Lipolysis is a form of liposuction that doesn’t involve either suction or surgery. Instead, the doctor will apply paddles to your body. These paddles emit laser pulses that kill and break up fat cells under your skin. Your body will then absorb the detritus left over. The number one benefit is that there is no surgery and no scars. It’s only partially effective in some patients, however, so laser-assisted liposuction is a better option for those patients. Laser-assisted liposuction is a combination of traditional liposuction and lipolysis. Both of these have the benefit of tightening the skin after the procedure. The drawback is that both procedures are limited to certain areas of the body.

Other Techniques

The “new kid on the block” is high-definition liposuction. It’s similar to traditional liposuction, but it’s geared much more toward sculpting than simply removing fat. The idea is to take someone who is fitter than most people and just can’t get rid of recalcitrant pockets of fat no matter what. It’s got a lower incidence of side effects or complications, but its main drawback is that it’s only for certain people who have to meet rigorous criteria to be considered for the procedure.

Conclusion

To see if any of these liposuction techniques will work on you, it’s best to consult with both your family doctor and a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Massey. Contact us for a consultation at our practice in Santa Monica, CA