Posted January 13, 2017 in Blog
Body contouring — or the removal of fat from specific areas of the body—is generally handled in one of two ways: liposuction and non-surgical fat removal. Choosing between these two is largely a matter of personal preference, though each one has its own advantages and disadvantages, and there are situations where one or the other won’t be viable. We’ll go over these in more detail below.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure that directly removes fat through a small tube inserted into specific areas. Since it directly removes fat from targeted areas, patients will see immediate—and often dramatic—results. It also tends to be more precise as well, so in some instances, it may be necessary to opt for liposuction over nonsurgical techniques.
Liposuction, while not nearly as invasive as some other procedures, is still a surgery, and as such, it does involve some extended recovery. Pain, swelling, and soreness are to be expected immediately after the operation, and it will take several days for these to subside.
Non-Surgical Techniques
Non-surgical techniques are minimally invasive and use a gentler topical approach to removing fat deposits. This may be done through the use of cold lasers, radiofrequencies, or cryolipolysis, all of which aim to destroy or drain fat cells in the targeted areas. The body then flushes the dead cells or drainage from the body naturally.
These techniques do not break the skin, and thus are considered minimally invasive. Nevertheless, they may still involve some soreness or swelling, so you can expect a bit of discomfort after these procedures. In addition, they don’t remove as much fat as liposuction, they won’t tighten the skin the way liposuction does, and it will take a while longer to actually see results.
Making the Choice
Ultimately, it depends on how much fat needs to be removed, how long you can spend in recovery, and how precise the surgery needs to be. When making your decision, it’s necessary to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Todd Pollock at North Dallas Plastic Surgery.
