Want to make liposuction a little less traumatic for the tissues, and consequently create less bruising and make for an easier recovery? Add laser energy. That’s what Dr. Jensen does with his laser liposuction procedure. Now you can put it to work on your unwanted pockets of stubborn fat.
What is laser liposuction?
Most people know about liposuction. Invented in France in the 1970s and brought to the U.S. in the 80s, liposuction is one of the top two or three cosmetic procedures every year. The problem has always been tissue trauma and bruising. Because the cannula used to suction out fat was relatively large and because it had to be moved aggressively back and forth beneath the skin to break loose the fat, it created a fair amount of bleeding and tissue trauma. This made for bruising that could last a couple of months.
But in 2006, the FDA approved adding laser energy to liposuction. Laser liposuction uses a medical-grade laser to break up and melt the fat cells with far less trauma to nearby blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissue. Because the laser energy liquefies the fat, it is easier to suction out and the cannula needed for laser liposuction can be smaller than those used in traditional liposuction. This combination makes for smaller incisions and easier recovery.
How is laser liposuction done?
For laser liposuction, Dr. Jensen first injects a tumescent solution into the treatment area. This consists of saline solution, lidocaine, and epinephrine. This solution anesthetizes the area with the lidocaine, creates more room with the saline, and the epinephrine constricts the blood vessels to minimize bleeding and subsequent bruising.
Next, one or more tiny incisions are created to insert the laser thread and then the cannula. A thin wire delivering the medical-grade laser energy is inserted first and is moved around so that the laser energy can directly contact the fat cells, rupturing their cells walls. This energy will also tighten the skin in the weeks following your treatment. Next, the cannula is inserted through the same incision and the liquefied fat and tumescent solution is suctioned out. Any remaining melted fat or tumescent solution is absorbed and removed by the body.
Not only will your unwanted fat be removed, but the laser energy also encourages your skin to tighten and build new collagen. This will help your skin conform to your new, slimmer contours.
Interested in laser liposuction with Dr. Jensen? Call us at (801) 728-9258 to make an appointment.