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By Claudine Hodges


Patients troubled by stubborn pockets of body fat could only turn to liposuction in the past as a means of eliminating this problem but there is now a new alternative that does not produce the ugly effect of sagging skin afterwards, it is known as laser lipolysis. This procedure not only gets rid of unwanted fat, but it has the added advantage of toning and tightening the skin. When contemplating laser lipo Miami Lakes, FL residents will find these facts to be helpful.

Lipolysis differs from liposuction in that another technique is used to eliminate the fat cells. Whereas liposuction, as its name suggests uses vacuum suction, lipolysis actually melts the fat with the heat produced from varying wavelengths of fiber-optic lasers. When this process occurs, it naturally stimulates the skin's collagen production which keeps the area firm.

This minimally invasive treatment is performed on an outpatient basis. First, the doctor will clearly mark the area to be treated and a local anesthetic will be administered. Next, after a small incision is made in the skin, a fine tube called a cannula which contains the fiber of the laser will be inserted. The heat of the laser liquifies the fat cells and they will then be absorbed by the body, surrounding skin cells begin synthesizing collagen. There can be swelling and minor bruising, but this short-lived.

Effective alone, lipolysis can also be used in combination with liposuction so the patient can enjoy the best possible outcome. Maximum removal of fat is achieved, without the sagging skin associated with liposuction when done by itself. Areas that are affected more by gravity and prone to sagging such as the abdomen are good candidates for this treatment combo.

The outcome of the procedure vary from patient to patient and how successful it is depends mainly on the size of the area treated and its fat volume. It offers favorable results in most places it is used including the hips, abdomen, buttocks, upper arms, jawline, and inner and outer thighs. Results will first be noticeable within the first six weeks and they may become progressively more pronounced as many as four months post-treatment.

Most of the time, the patient will only require a single treatment, but occasionally larger areas or those with more dense fat deposits will justify a second treatment. The doctor should be able to inform the patient at the preliminary consultation if additional applications are indicated. Four months minimum between treatments is necessary.

The use of a local anesthetic during the procedure keeps discomfort levels down for most patients, however most will report bruising and tenderness several hours later. Patients normally go home after an hour's recovery and they will be instructed to wear a compression garment for two days to a week at most. They may wish to use over the counter analgesics for any pain.

The results of lipolysis are permanent as long as the patient is careful to follow a healthy exercise and diet plan. It does not prevent the gain of additional fat cells and is not a cure for obesity. This procedure is intended for body-sculpting and provides an ideal solution to stubborn fat that does not shed with weight loss programs.




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