What Is Non-Surgical Liposuction?

Traditional liposuction is a somewhat invasive plastic surgery procedure. Non-surgical liposuction, however, is a much less invasive fat-removal procedure that usually requires no surgical incisions. Instead, several different methods, including ultrasound, injections, and lasers, may be used to break up fat inside the body. Compared to traditional liposuction, this non-surgical procedure usually results in fewer side effects and a smaller price tag. On the other hand, some medical professionals think that this procedure is somewhat less effective than traditional liposuction, and a patient may need to undergo several sessions before seeing results.

Known by other names like lipoplasty and lipectomy, liposuction is typically a surgical procedure. It is not considered a weight-loss surgery, but a plastic surgery, since it helps reshape and redefine the surface of a person's body. To perform a liposuction procedure, a plastic surgeon usually begins by putting a patient under anesthesia and making a very small incision on the skin where the fat is to be removed. A long, thin hollow tube is then inserted under the skin through this incision, and the fat is suctioned from the body.

Non-surgical liposuction, however, is typically a minimally invasive procedure, since no incision is made. Instead, a medical professional may use several methods to help break up fat under the skin's surface. The dissolved fat is then burned away or expelled via natural means, like urination or sweating.

Medical ultrasound machines are sometimes used during an ultrasound procedure. During this procedure, a medical professional will concentrate intense sound waves toward unwanted fat below the skin. This will break up the fat cells, so they are more easily processed by the body.

Some non-surgical liposuction also uses injections of amino acids to break up fat cells. During this type of procedure, a needle is used to deposit these amino acids into unwanted fat. This causes the fat cells to dissolve. An intense beam of light, known as a laser, can also be used to break up fat cells.

Many patients believe there are a number of advantages to non-surgical liposuction. First of all, this type of liposuction does not usually have as many side effects as traditional liposuction. Some liposuction side effects may include pain, swelling, and bruising. In rare instances, infection and gastrointestinal punctures my occur, both of which can be fatal. Non-surgical liposuction is also less expensive than traditional liposuction.

On the other hand, non-surgical liposuction may not be as effective as traditional liposuction. Since the fat cells are not removed right away, it may take some time for a patient to notice any changes. In fact, it may take several sessions of a non-surgical liposuction procedure to see any difference.