Lili Cordell
Laser liposuction is considered one of the safest methods of liposuction today. Since it is designed to remove a maximum of only eight pounds of fat, patients who are in need of a minimal amount of fat removal will benefit from this operation. Various parts of the body can be operated using this procedure, including the abdomen, face, and buttocks. Laser liposuction is sometimes used to supplement a tummy tuck or other plastic surgery that requires further fat removal.
Laser Liposuction Procedure
To begin the operation, the surgeon will anesthetize the patient using local anesthesia, meaning there will still be some sensation, but no pain. There is usually no need for general anesthesia. The injection will contain lidocaine (a local anesthetic) as well as other fluids to aid the fat removal process. There may be some swelling after the injection, in which case the surgeon will delay the procedure for a short time before resuming.
Once the swelling has receded, one or more incisions are made in the area to be operated. These small cuts are made with a scalpel, and are just large enough (about 2/3 of an inch) to allow the insertion of a probe. Within the probe is a single laser fiber that emits energy at very short wavelengths (from 925nm to 1625nm) into the fatty tissue under the skin. The heat produced by the laser melts the fat tissue, which then flows out of the body from the incisions. Unlike other liposuctions, none of the adjoining tissue is harmed, reducing the possibility of complication after the operation.
Possible Risks
There are minimal risks involved in laser liposuction. Bruises and swelling may become visible, but these will disappear within a week at most. As with any surgery, one runs the risk of infection as well. Choosing an experienced surgeon and being sure of the cleanliness of the facility where the surgery is to take place is always a wise precaution.
Laser Liposuction Costs
Because cosmetic surgery is a nonobligatory procedure, insurance companies do not usually look kindly on laser liposuction. Many credit companies offer financing opportunities for plastic surgery. Unless the patient is able to obtain this kind of financing, the cost is paid for in full out of the patient’s pocket.
The many benefits of a laser liposuction ensure a cost that is slightly more expensive than the more traditional methods. Laser liposuction procedures tend to take less time to complete. The recovery time is less, and the risks associated with the surgery are few owing to the level of required technology. All of these factors contribute to the cost of the procedure that can run anywhere from $2,000 to $8,000.
The amount of fat to be removed can cause a significant change in the procedural costs. Different areas of the body assume larger costs because of their size and level of difficulty to operate. The arms, back, face, hips, waist, and outer thighs are all regions that entail costs on the lower end of the spectrum. Other areas of the body, like the abdomen, flanks, and inner thighs, cover much more space, entailing a hiegher cost.
Not only does the area of the body play a large part in determining the cost, but the area where the surgery is to take place is a prime factor as well. Hospitals in the city prove to be more costly than doctors’ suites.
The amounts listed above are not the final costs that a patient should expect to be charged. Several additional fees include hospital and facility fees, anesthesia fees, before and after care, and medications are all extra costs the patient should be prepared to pay.
[page updated December 2008]