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The abdomen is one of the most “problematic” areas of the human body. It is in the abdominal cavity that the greatest amount of lipids is concentrated. It has been proven that even thin people have folds on their stomachs, which is considered absolutely normal in terms of health. The main thing is that fat accumulations do not reach the internal organs, as this can affect the productivity of the lungs, liver and heart. One of the options for neutralizing fats is laser liposuction. What you need to know about the method, how safe is it, what are the indications/contraindications for it?
The essence of the procedure
Laser liposuction is one of the surgical methods for body shaping. This is a modern method that can replace standard liposuction with large incisions, long-term rehabilitation and enormous stress for the body. How exactly is the operation going? First of all, the surgeon examines the area of intervention, makes the necessary notes for future incisions. Then the doctor disinfects the skin and injects an anesthetic. General anesthesia is most often used to remove excess fat from the abdomen. As soon as the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor proceeds to the manipulations.
The surgeon makes a small incision in the skin, into which a cannula is inserted. This is a miniature hollow tube made of dense material. Later, a fiber optic probe will be placed inside the cannula. The tube supports it, directs it to the desired area of the body and prevents damage to internal organs or tissues. The doctor selects the ideal location of the tube and proceeds to split. The fiber optic probe serves as a source of laser radiation. It selectively heats the fat cells that are in the area of its action. Temperature destroys the membrane walls of cells, making them shapeless and pliable. Cellular fluid enters the bloodstream, and from there – to the liver, where it is neutralized naturally.
If the amount of fat deposits is too large and can create an excessive load on the liver, the surgeon pumps out the fat himself with a cannula.
Laser liposuction artificially repeats the natural process of lipolysis. This is the breakdown of fats into fatty acids, followed by the production of ATP (universal energy source). Lipolysis is regulated by hormones, and liposuction is possible due to exposure to temperatures from laser radiation. Both processes operate on a similar principle, start fat burning, break down cells and release energy. But during liposuction, there is no release of certain substances and energy synthesis. On the contrary, the body experiences stress, loss of resources and requires additional time to recover.
Do not forget that the reaction of the body to any intervention can be unpredictable. Try to get rid of fat with traditional and safe methods (adjusting diet/increasing exercise). If they were ineffective, ask your doctor about the advisability of liposuction.
Rehabilitation period
Recommendations for the recovery time are made by the attending physician. Do not self-medicate and strictly follow the therapeutic course so as not to worsen the result of the operation. Compression underwear should be worn for the first month after the intervention. It helps the skin recover and acquire the desired shape. It is forbidden to remove compression underwear before the required time. This can lead to bruising, bruising, and other complications.
The patient should limit physical activity and spend more time at home in comfortable conditions. To recover, the body needs peace, so you will have to forget about visiting the hall, pool, sauna and other things for a while. Another important component of therapy is diet. This can be a standard healthy diet or a medicated diet tailored to the individual. In general, you will have to give up fatty, fried, canned, spicy and too salty.
Before going out, it is necessary to treat the body with sunscreen or hide the stomach under a layer of fabric. Ultraviolet radiation can slow down regeneration and adversely affect the condition of the skin. Also, the patient should treat the wound daily and use the medicines prescribed by the doctor.
If you feel a deterioration in your skin or health, be sure to tell your doctor. During rehabilitation, the body becomes as vulnerable as possible and even the slightest changes affect the state of health.
Advantages and disadvantages of the laser method
The benefits include:
- Shortened recovery period. Regardless of the area of intervention and individual characteristics, the laser method causes less damage to the body, which means recovery is faster.
- Preservation of the aesthetic appearance of the skin. The size of the incision for passing the cannula is only a few millimeters. The size of scars after abdominal surgery is calculated in centimeters.
- The versatility of the procedure. Laser liposuction can eliminate fat from hard-to-reach places, which is beyond the power of standard surgical procedures.
- Safety due to laser radiation. Laser energy affects the blood vessels, which reduces the risk of bleeding. Additionally, the body temporarily increases the concentration of collagen (responsible for skin elasticity), which accelerates regeneration. Swelling, bruising and bruising occur much less frequently than with standard liposuction.
The main disadvantage of laser lipolysis is the minimum area of influence. It is simply impossible to remove fat deposits from the entire abdominal cavity. The laser is perfect for correcting the lower abdomen, which is difficult to remove even with regular training. Also, the procedure can seriously affect the quality of the skin. Doctors do not advise laser liposuction for patients with sagging skin that has already undergone age-related changes. After the intervention, her appearance may deteriorate significantly.
Most patients want an immediate and permanent transformation effect, but this is not possible. The final result of the operation will be noticeable after 2-3 months. That is how much time it takes to restore tissues and return the body to its usual mode of operation. Moreover, if the cause of excess weight is not eliminated, fat cells will return to their usual place. Remember that liposuction is not a method of combating obesity and not the most effective way to achieve the perfect body. This is an auxiliary measure that can improve health or remove local fat deposits that are not corrected by sports and diet.
Indications/contraindications for the procedure
It should be understood that liposuction will not help get rid of obesity. The intervention does not affect the pathogenesis of the disease, cannot neutralize its manifestations or prevent obesity in the future. The operation is suitable for patients who have already formed a healthy diet, lead an active lifestyle and want to quickly get rid of a particular flaw on the body. There are times when neither exercise nor dietary restrictions help to remove fat from the lower abdomen. Perhaps this is an anatomical feature of your body or a genetic manifestation that occurs in close relatives. To correct the defect, consult a doctor, undergo an examination and liposuction.
Intervention contraindications:
- age under 18 or over 65;
- the period of pregnancy (regardless of the term), lactation or menstruation in women;
- cardiovascular pathologies;
- the transition of chronic diseases to the acute stage;
- temporary deterioration in health (for example, SARS);
- impaired blood clotting;
- diabetes;
- diseases of the central nervous system and mental disorders.
Is it possible to ignore contraindications?
Before any surgical intervention, the patient must visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination of the body. If the specialist fixes one of the contraindications, he informs about the possible risks and refuses to perform liposuction. What are the risks? In violation of blood clotting, the risk of heavy bleeding increases. Intervention can aggravate cardiovascular pathologies, cause complications, provoke rupture of blood vessels or the development of a hematoma.
Surgery for diabetes mellitus will affect the subsequent recovery. The tissues of diabetics will take much longer to heal, causing pain and discomfort to the patient. Moreover, the risk of complications increases. Age restriction is also associated with high risks. The skin of a patient over 65 may simply not return to its previous state, but become more flabby and dry. Also, doctors do not advise patients of the older age category to expose the body to inappropriate stress (liposuction is possible only for direct indications).
Why is liposuction forbidden for pregnant and lactating women? Firstly, the operation can be deadly for both the mother and the baby. In addition to the very fact of the intervention, anesthesia and medications that are used before / during / after the procedure (they enter the baby’s body through milk) have an aggravating effect. During menstruation, doctors also advise to protect a woman from stress. This is due to general weakness, pain and other unpleasant symptoms at one of the stages of the cycle. It is better to wait a few days until the patient’s body is fully prepared for the operation.
Possible complications and side effects
Immediately after the operation, the body may swell. This is a normal reaction of the body to intervention. The swelling should go away after a few days, but if the symptom bothers you for more than a week, contact a specialist. Bruises, hematomas, uneven accumulations of skin may form at the site of intervention (due to improper technique for removing adipose tissue). One of the most dangerous complications is a violation of sensitivity. The condition develops when nerve endings are damaged by a doctor.
To avoid blunders of a surgeon, carefully select a clinic and a specialist. The cost of high-quality laser liposuction is quite high, but your health directly depends on it.
Among the possible complications: infection, blockage of blood vessels, severe swelling, pain, suppuration of the wound and the appearance of pigmentation. Some pathological manifestations can be neutralized by a responsible approach to rehabilitation, others by a careful selection of a clinic, and others (for example, pigmentation or pain) depend on the individual characteristics of the organism. To minimize complications – get diagnosed, restore health, if necessary, and do not neglect the doctor’s instructions. Remember that the result of liposuction depends not only on the surgeon, but also on the postoperative care, which falls on the shoulders of the patient. Only with an integrated approach will it be possible to obtain a positive result.