LIPOSUCTION ALTERNATIVES

Liposuction Alternatives – Weighing your Options

Before choosing liposuction, ask about options.

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that promises to get rid of stubborn fats quickly and effectively. In fact, nothing beats liposuction in eliminating fat deposits. Exercise and eating a healthy diet still remains to be the most ideal way of losing fats, but these could be frustrating to those who find themselves suffering from weight problems or obesity. For those who just don’t have the time to prepare a healthy diet or religiously visit the gym, liposuction might just be the first step in helping them take the first steps towards a healthy life.

However, liposuction has its share of disadvantages and is far from being perfect. First there is the cost of the procedure which can easily run into the thousands of dollars for each treatment. Liposuction being a surgical procedure also has the same medical complications. Bleeding, infection and bruising are just some of the side effects that people face with each surgical procedure.

This is why many people who seek a solution to their troubling weight problems have often asked for alternatives to liposuction. They often search for gentler and more natural treatments that provide the same results but don’t have the medical complications seen in surgical liposuction.

Popular Liposuction Alternatives

Mesotherapy and Lipodissolve

Mesotherapy and lipodissolve are fat loss treatments that remove stubborn fat deposits by injecting medications and enzymes to ultimately burn and melt these fats. Treatments are done by first identifying problem areas. These are then injected with enzymes that break down fats. Although both treatments basically act in the same manner, Lipodissolve is considered by many as a gentler procedure compared to mesotherapy.

The difference mainly is due to the medications and enzymes used in treatment. It has become a popular liposuction alternative in the United States. It has been proven especially effective in sculpting the neck and face areas. Advantages over mesotherapy include faster recovery times.

Meostherapy on the other hand uses medications and holistic ingredients to melt away cellulite deposits. The needles used for these type of procedures are minute leaving no trace and often painless.

Body Wraps

Body wraps are fast becoming a popular weight loss method. Its origins have been traced to ancient Egyptians who used this as a beautifying treatment. Body wraps are usually found in health spas and beauty clinics but could also be performed at home. It used a variety of ingredients to enhance fat loss and treat the skin simultaneously.

Thermage

Thermage is another popular body contouring technique that has proven to be as effective as liposuction. The treatment mainly uses the power of heat to burn away fat deposits. The instrument is applied over the target area where the heat penetrates deep into the skin to melt cellulite. Thermage is also effective on areas that liposuction could not easily target.

Thermage could be used in the neck and the face. Using lasers eliminates the need for invasive procedures and does not leave any scars in the process. Aside from melting down fats it also tightens the skin making it a more effective all around procedure.

Velashape

Velashape is a modern liposuction alternative that uses radio frequencies to breakdown fat cells. It does not require any incisions or anesthesia. The procedure is usually performed in under an hour and patients are discharged immediately.

Aside from introducing radio frequencies to the target areas, this is accompanied by massages and rollers to further break the fat cells. These cellulite deposits can then be suctioned or is eliminated by the body naturally. Velashape could also be used as a facelift treatment. It tightens the skin surrounding the treatment area. It could be used in sensitive areas where liposuction would be risky. As with other types of liposuction alternatives it is limited in the amount of cellulite it could remove.

Diet Pills

Losing fat has never been more convenient than popping a pill. And diet pills promise to melt away your weight problems by simply taking in a pill before or after meals. Pills work by blocking the uptake of fats or by reducing your appetite.

Popular diet pills being used today are those that prevent the absorption of fats. This allows people to have their share of their favorite dishes. However, people who use this type of pills may fall into a false sense of hope as it does not really cure the root of their weight problem.

However, people should be careful about purchasing these diet pills. Many diet pills could be purchased online but are not approved by the Federal Drug Administration. These types of diet pills may have certain side effects and could prove to be dangerous to your long-term health.

Exercise and Diets

No liposuction alternative treatment could be complete without mentioning exercise and diets. These methods may take some time before any results could be seen but certainly worth the wait. Unlike liposuction which can give you instant results, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet takes time to achieve results.

But the best part of undergoing this healthy regimen is its long term changes. Once a healthy weight is achieved, it becomes more permanent. The problem with liposuction or liposuction alternatives is that changes are easily lost when they revert to their old habits.

Liposuction versus Liposuction Alternatives

Liposuction is a surgical method. It uses invasive procedures to remove fat deposits from the body. Liposuction alternatives on the other hand are less invasive and minimize the pain and discomfort seen in surgical liposuction. The major reason why people search for alternative body sculpting solutions is their fear of undergoing an operation. Being placed under anesthesia is an experience that is discomforting. Alternatives to liposuction are less invasive and have shorter recovery periods. It does not require long recovery times hence, people could return to their normal lives much faster.

The greatest benefit of surgical liposuction still remains to be its ability to remove large amounts of fats more quickly. It continues to be the most effective fat removal method bar none. Liposuction alternatives may require several treatments before similar results could be seen.

Read more: Liposuction Alternatives – Weighing your Options

Liposuction and Your Body – Living Healthy

Liposuction is a fat removing cosmetic surgery procedure that is fast becoming popular for the young and not so young generations. Basically, liposuction is a medical procedure that removes cellulite deposits from target areas of the human body including the abdomen, thighs and buttocks.

However, many medical experts don’t regard liposuction as a weight loss procedure. In order to shed further light regarding liposuction, below are ten of the most frequently asked questions concerning liposuction.

What exactly is liposuction?

As already mentioned above, liposuction is not a weight loss procedure but rather a fat remodeling procedure. The popularity of liposuction is second to none according to a 2006 survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  In that year alone, the ASAPS reports that over 400,000 patients have undergone liposuction in the US.

What are the benefits of undergoing liposuction?

Liposuction has many known benefits. The first and foremost is that it provides patients with a slimmer more attractive look – actually, it’s the main goal of every cosmetic surgery procedure invented. In a related manner, patients that are slimmer and more attractive are more confident and have higher self-esteem.

Some people who have undergone successful liposuction boast that they feel a lot younger and healthy after liposuction. The benefits of liposuction are more than skin deep. It helps people on their first steps into a healthier lifestyle.

What are the different types of liposuction procedures?

There are various types of liposuction procedures, the most notable of which include wet liposuction, dry liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction.

The wet liposuction involves a small amount of fluid while dry liposuction requires no fluid – the catch is dry liposuction is traditional and is rarely performed these days. On the other hand, the ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses an ultrasound-powered cannulla.

How to prepare for liposuction?

Preparation before liposuction is critical – needless to say, you need to be physically and mentally ready before undergoing liposuction. You should avoid taking drugs and medication at least three days before the actual procedure. We should remember that liposuction is a surgical procedure and great care should be done in preparing for this type of medical procedure. The risks and medical complications are real and should not be taken lightly.

A consultation with both your general physician and your cosmetic surgeon is also a must whenever you are to undergo liposuction. It is important that you be informed regarding the do’s and don’ts of liposuction.

How is it performed? – Basic challenges to liposuction

Liposuction takes into consideration five vital challenges – to remove the right amount of fat, to cause the least disturbance to tissues, to avoid altercation with the patient’s fluid balance and to cause the least discomfort to the patient.

A good cosmetic surgeon takes into consideration these five important challenges in order to achieve a safe and effective liposuction. Liposuction is a delicate medical procedure and enlisting the services of a qualified cosmetic surgeon in keeping you safe and free from complications.

Are there any risks or complications associated with liposuction?

Of course, just like any other form of cosmetic surgery, there are several risks and complications associated with liposuction. The most common risk is the risk of removing an excessive amount of fat in the patient’s body. Moreover, there is also a risk against the anesthesia injected in the concerned area. There is also risk of dizziness and hematoma minutes after the successful completion of the procedure.

How much does an average liposuction procedure costs?

The cost of liposuction varies greatly from state to state but do expect to shed at least $5,000-8,000 per liposuction session. However, this liposuction could be made cheaper by knowing what goes into each treatment. Professional fees or those charged by the cosmetic surgeon plays a huge role in the final cost of liposuction. Shopping for a qualified cosmetic surgeon who charges a lower fee drastically lowers your liposuction bill.

How to know if you’re a good candidate for liposuction?

Before agreeing to a particular liposuction procedure, you need to first determine whether you’re fit enough to undergo liposuction. You should always consult your doctor whenever you’re planning to undergo an operation, much more a cosmetic surgery procedure like liposuction. If you consider yourself unhealthy, maybe you should reconsider your planned liposuction. In addition to that, some people who are taking medications are not good candidates for liposuction. Certain drugs like aspirin can trigger an abnormal reaction to liposuction.

How to choose the right cosmetic surgeon to perform your liposuction?

Choosing the right cosmetic surgeon is important if you want to have a safe and effective liposuction. In choosing the right cosmetic surgeon you need to factor in the experience and the past liposuction procedures performed by those on your shortlist.

You can run a simple background check or you can ask previous patients in order to get information regarding the competency of the cosmetic surgeon you consider hiring. You can ask some of your friends or relatives for recommendations – chances are, you know someone who has undergone liposuction during the past.

How about downtime and recovery period? How long does it last?

Most successful liposuction procedures require one-two weeks of recovery period. Nevertheless, the actual downtime differs greatly based on the type of liposuction performed. There are instances when the recovery period lasts only two days. On the other hand, there are some cases wherein recovery takes up to a full month.

During the said recovery period, you should avoid heavy work and strenuous activities. If you can afford hiring a private nurse to accompany you during your recovery period, it would be much better.

The only way you could keep the changes brought by liposuction surgery is through living a healthy lifestyle. Removing cellulite deposits from your body is easy but keeping them off is the key to enjoying a slimmer body. Liposuction is not a cure but only serves as a first step in living healthy.

Large Volume Liposuction

Liposuction has been tagged as a miracle cure for people suffering from weight problems. For people having a difficult time shedding those extra pounds of fat deposits, liposuction surgery would be most welcoming in helping them get their healthy figures back. But even liposuction has its own limitations and one of it is the amount of fat that could be safely removed in a single treatment.

Any liposuction treatment that removes more than 5 liters of fluid from the body is considered as a large volume liposuction. However, the risks involved increases directly with the higher volume of fat removed. This is why people who are excessively overweight are instructed to drop their weights to more acceptable levels before undergoing the operation.

Liposuction is a safe medical procedure. It has become one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed both for health and aesthetic reasons. But just like any other type of surgical procedure it comes with its own health risks and complications.

One of the biggest dangers with large volume liposuction is the big drop in the body’s fluid volume. This condition may result to heart failure. The body could fall into shock as it is unable to stabilize itself after a massive loss of fluids.

For people with high amounts of fat deposits wishing to undergo liposuction surgery, physicians would ask them to bring their weights down to a more acceptable level. This is done thru eating a healthy diet and exercise. This requires a considerable amount of time and effort before the patient could undergo cosmetic surgery.

Some people might think that one liposuction procedure could miraculously bring them back to shape. With the rising costs of healthcare this would certainly be most ideal. Although large volume liposuction is possible, many surgeons would advice multiple treatments. This can be costly but safety should never take a backseat. Whether you’re planning to shed a few pounds or more, consulting with a qualified surgeon ensures that you get the best treatment possible.

Liposuction - Price Versus Safety

Despite its cost and perhaps the potential safety concerns attached to liposuction, the said cosmetic surgery procedure is among the most popular nowadays. The cost of liposuction varies depending on the specific area that will be treated, the type of liposuction procedure to be applied, the state where the procedure will be performed and the expertise of the surgeon conducting the procedure.

Obviously, expensive liposuction is an indication that you are dealing with a competent and qualified cosmetic surgeon. More so, with a competent and qualified cosmetic surgeon, the risks of complications from a liposuction procedure will decrease further.

Liposuction price range based on the specific area that will be treated:

• Upper and lower abdomen $3,000 to 7,500 - the upper and lower abdomen is an area that is hard to penetrate and operate on that’s why it’s among the most expensive body areas of liposuction.
• Arms - the cost of an arm liposuction procedure varies greatly depending on the expertise of the cosmetic surgeon or the reputation of the cosmetic surgery clinic you’re dealing with. Nonetheless, most arm liposuction procedures range from $1,000-5,000.
• Back - the back is another area where liposuction procedures can be applied effectively. Liposuction procedures covering the back area isn’t that costly compared to others. The maximum amount that you are to pay for a back liposuction would be no more than $4,000.
• Breast - a patient’s breast is a delicate area for liposuction that’s why liposuction on the breast is more expensive compared to other areas. Normally, breast liposuction would cost $3,000-7,000.
• Buttocks $1,500 to 4,500 - the buttocks is among the most common body areas where liposuction procedure is applied. Usually, buttocks liposuction is priced around $1,500-4,500.

What are the disadvantages of cheap liposuction treatment?

For the record, cheap liposuction procedures aren’t in any way cheap. Liposuction procedures that are performed by incompetent and unqualified or even unlicensed practitioners can potentially result into complications and injuries that will eventually call for more money spent on hospital bills, medicines therapy and others.

Just like any medical procedure, the price of liposuction should not be a constraint but rather an assurance of the effectiveness of the procedure. You should not go out looking for the cheapest price but rather for the most trusted cosmetic surgeon – and mind you, trust isn’t cheap.

A competent and qualified cosmetic surgeon will orient you on the pros and cons of liposuction procedures. Expert cosmetic surgeons will also discuss with you critical topics such as your medical history, the areas where liposuction can be applied and the elasticity of your skin after the liposuction procedure.

Instead of looking for a cheap liposuction procedure, you can perhaps look for a hospital or cosmetic surgery clinic that offers flexible financing options.