As I previously mentioned, I attended the 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons this past weekend. Many new technologies were discussed but the "Hot Topic" appeared to be fat. Presenters discussed:

• Moving fat around. For example, moving fat from one part of the body to another. In Miami, this is a very popular procedure to shape the buttocks.
• Saving fat. Researchers are looking into the feasibility of removing fat stem cells and using them to grow new breast tissue for breast reconstruction after mastectomy.
• New liposuction techniques. SlimLipo, ultrasound assisted liposuction, water assisted liposuction were all discussed.
• Freezing fat. Research is being done to determine if fat can be frozen externally for reshaping and contouring.

Liposuction is a time-tested and well-known means to sculpting areas of stubborn body fat.  Traditional liposuction (the kind you may have seen on reality television) is certainly not a delicate procedure, requiring 4-8 weeks of uncomfortable recovery time. Before the first fat cell could be suctioned, patients would need to be put under anesthesia. Then a large metal tube would be inserted under the skin through surgical incisions. The surgeon would vigorously “attack” the fat, breaking down the tissue with his own mechanical force. As a result, patients would experience black and blue bruising, swelling and soreness that often required narcotic medications to alleviate. Because of the anesthesia, patients would awake from the procedure feeling groggy and sleepy and be unable to leave the surgeon’s office by themselves. Patients were required to wear an uncomfortable surgical compression garment for at least 3 weeks after the procedure and usually took close to a week off from work to recover and return to the surgeon’s office for suture removal.   

Fortunately, there is an alternative to traditional liposuction that may better suit the lifestyle of today’s busy, discriminating patient. SlimLipo, or laser-assisted lipolysis, is a new technology that has revolutionized the liposuction industry by minimizing recovery time, potential complications and may provide the much welcome benefit of skin tightening as well. In the SlimLipo procedure, the surgeon will first insert a laser fiber through the skin via several puncture wounds about the size of a pencil.  The heat from the laser fiber quickly melts the fat, breaking the fat cells without the physical trauma one would see in traditional liposuction. The laser also heats up the surrounding skin, tightening and toning it from the inside. After lasering the desired areas, the surgeon inserts a small suction tube through the same puncture wounds to easily extract the liquefied fat. Blood loss, bruising, swelling and pain are minimal. Best of all, this entire procedure is done under local anesthesia, much like having a filling put in at the dentist. Patients simply get up off the operating table and walk out of the unaccompanied if they chose! A surgical garment is worn for only 3days (as opposed to 3 weeks in traditional liposuction), but patients will be able to return to work the next day. There are no sutures to remove and any minor discomfort is usually taken care of with just a Tylenol or two. Results are often immediately noticeable, but the treated sites will continue improve in both tone and skin quality over the following 6-12weeks.

For more information on SlimLipo and how it can help you to achieve the sculpted body you dream of, please feel free to contact Dr.Rothaus.

http://www.wmagazine.com/beauty/2008/12/beauty_buzz_i05