Laser liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical correction of fatty deposits in certain areas of the body. Most often used as a cosmetic procedure. It is important to understand that liposuction will not help get rid of obesity, since it is not connected in any way and cannot influence the pathogenesis of the disease. There are several methods of intervention, one of them is laser liposuction. The procedure helps visually improve the body, has minimal risks and consequences for the body. What you need to know about the method, how it is carried out and in what cases is liposuction necessary?

General characteristics of the method

Laser liposuction is the removal of fat deposits from a certain area of ​​the body using a laser beam and a thin fiber optic probe. Before manipulation, the patient is given an anesthetic. The type of anesthesia depends on the individual characteristics of the patient and the area of ​​intervention. Laser liposuction is performed on the following areas: inner/outer thigh, knees, buttocks, arms, cheeks, chin, neck, face, stomach.

How exactly does the intervention take place? The doctor makes a small incision in the skin through which the cannula is inserted. This is a hollow tube made of coarse material, which is used to supply / withdraw various substances to / from the cavity of the human body. The diameter of the cannula for laser liposuction is about 1 millimeter, but it can vary for different parts of the body. An optical fiber probe is inserted into the tube (its structure is not dense enough, so the use of a cannula is mandatory). The probe head serves as a source of laser energy, which selectively heats the cells and starts the process of lipolysis (fat breakdown).

The laser wave destroys the membrane of fat cells, making them vulnerable and shapeless. The substance from the destroyed cells enters the bloodstream, and then to the liver, where it is neutralized naturally. If the intervention area is large, then excess fat can be pumped out with a cannula. In addition to fat burning, laser liposuction stimulates the production of collagen. This is possible by heating the skin with a beam. Collagen is the main structural protein in our body. It helps the skin look toned and youthful, makes hair radiant and teeth strong. As we age, collagen production decreases, leading to the outward signs of aging. Liposuction temporarily increases the amount of collagen, but its level gradually returns to normal.

What is lipolysis?

This is a natural metabolic process that takes place in the human body. Its essence is the breakdown of fat into its constituent fatty acids. The intensity and result of lipolysis is affected by lipase, a water-soluble enzyme. It digests, dissolves fats/fatty acids/fat soluble vitamins (A, E, D, K) into energy. Lipase is also responsible for the delivery of the above substances to the tissues of the whole organism.

How exactly does lipolysis work? It proceeds in the mitochondria, where fat enters with the help of carnitine. Carnitine is a natural substance synthesized by the body. The enzyme is found in the muscle tissues of our body, is responsible for metabolism and helps distribute fatty acids. The process of lipolysis is characterized by the cyclic transformation of a fatty acid molecule. First, two-carbon or one-carbon derivatives are split off from it, then transition molecules are formed, which are later transformed into glycerol and new fatty acids – the end products of lipolysis.

The released fatty acids enter the bloodstream, where they rush to cells in need of energy. There they bind (activate) with other enzymes and feed the body with vitality. Lipolysis is the most important energy process in the cell, without which a person simply could not survive. It is lipolysis that gives the largest amount of ATP (a universal source of energy for any part of the body).

Laser lipolysis is an artificial analogue of the metabolic process. Natural splitting is regulated by hormones (glucagon, insulin, somatotropin), and artificial – by exposure to high temperatures. The laser heats the cells, making them malleable, shapeless and mobile. They are excreted by the lymphatic system, reducing the total amount of fat in the body. Laser lipolysis starts the fat burning process outside of its natural environment and conditions. The released energy cannot be used for its intended purpose, and the body is under enormous stress during the intervention.

Advantages and disadvantages of laser intervention

The strengths of the method include:

• impact on hard-to-reach areas of the body that cannot be worked out with a standard liposuction procedure (back surface of the shoulder, knee area, chin, etc.);
• beneficial effect of the laser on the skin, compression of collagen fibers, which accelerates tissue repair and visually tightens the surface;
• reducing the risk of bleeding due to blockage of blood vessels by a laser wave;
• removal of up to 500 milliliters of fatty tissue from each zone of the human body;
• minimal trauma to the skin, no swelling and bruising. The incision for passing the cannula is several millimeters (with standard liposuction, the size of the incision is calculated in centimeters);
• uniform removal of fat, which eliminates the formation of “holes”. After the intervention, the skin remains smooth and its appearance natural, which is extremely important for the aesthetics of the body.

As disadvantages of the procedure, a high risk of skin sagging can be distinguished. The dermis may not shrink enough, become less elastic and taut. It depends on the individual response of the body, the level of collagen and the overall response of the body to the intervention. Many patients hope for a quick result and expect an instant transformation. But this is impossible. The result after liposuction will be visible only after 2-3 months. This is the amount of time it will take for the skin to fully recover and take on its final shape.

Another drawback of the method is a long rehabilitation period. The patient is forbidden to lift weights, limit physical activity and change the diet to give the body additional resources for recovery. For several months, you will have to wear compression stockings, take antibiotics, and follow specific instructions from your doctor. It should be noted that with standard liposuction, the list of restrictions increases, and the therapy itself takes much longer.

Possible complications and side effects of the operation

The reaction of the body depends on a number of factors. Some patients will feel mild discomfort during recovery, others will need regular follow-up with a doctor and additional therapy. The most common complication is uneven, bumpy skin. Fat cells accumulate, forming pits on the surface. They occur when an excessive amount of fat is removed and can be corrected by repeated intervention. It is also possible to develop an inflammatory process, a violation of the outflow of fluid, necrosis of the skin, the formation of hematomas, suppuration or an allergic reaction, a change in skin sensitivity.

Can side effects be avoided? Yes, you should choose a qualified specialist and undergo a full diagnosis before the operation. If the doctor fixes a problem (infection, tissue damage, suspicious symptoms or test results), then he will take measures to eliminate it and determine the appropriateness of liposuction.

It should be understood that the intervention will not help get rid of obesity and will not make the figure perfect in a matter of hours. Moreover, fat cells will definitely return if the cause of their formation is not eliminated (overeating, hormonal disruptions, lack of activity). Before agreeing to the operation, consult with your doctor, make sure the procedure is safe and consider alternative methods of losing weight. The only effective method of combating excess weight is a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and moderate exercise. Make rational decisions and be healthy.