The Side Effects of Lipolysis
The side effects of lipolysis are much less than those of traditional liposuction, as advances have been made in techniques and tools used to perform this minimally invasive procedure. With these advances, a person can undergo several procedures in one day with very few or no side effects.
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What Is Lipolysis?
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Lipolysis is a procedure in which problem areas are targeted and fat cells are removed permanently. Generally, these are areas that are the least likely to respond to diet and exercise, such as a sagging chin, fatty deposits in the arms, thighs and waistline, buttocks and stomach. Laser lipolysis has become popular because of its immediate effects of smoothing out skin and diminishing cellulite.
How Does It Work?
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Your physician will first numb the area to be treated with a local anesthetic. He will use a laser to melt fat underneath the skin, then make tiny incisions through which a very small cannula will fit (about the size of a spaghetti noodle). The physician will then very gently begin the suction process, which removes fat cells and cellulite while smoothing out skin and making it tighter.
There are no groggy side effects, because only a local anesthetic is used. Down time is significantly reduced. However, if several procedures are done at the same time, the risks increase, especially if a person's lower extremities are being treated. The physician should make sure that the patient does not leave the hospital too soon after such procedures. -
Common Side Effects
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Side effects with lipolysis as well as the laser lipolysis are very minimal but include mild swelling, soreness and bruising. In some cases, there may be small lumps felt at the treatment area that will go away fairly quickly. But the more rare side effects should not go ignored. These effects can occur even with the very minimally invasive procedures and should be monitored.
More Uncommon Side Effects
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Some of the more uncommon side effects from lipolysis can include nausea, vomiting, fever, infection and prolonged bruising. While these are generally rare conditions, it is important to know what to look out for. All of these side effects should be explained thoroughly by a certified physician, and all questions should be answered to the patient's satisfaction. Any type of procedure that is performed poses a certain amount of risk, so anyone who is considering lipolysis should first find a certified physician and ask plenty of questions. Also, it is always a good idea to check before and after photos to get a better look at how the procedure worked for other patients.
Summary of Lipolysis
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Lipolysis as well as laser lipolysis promise tighter, smoother skin in less time than it would take for traditional cosmetic surgery and with fewer risks. However, it is very important for someone who may be considering having a procedure done to make sure these risks are explained in detail and their questions answered by a certified physician. Also, the post-procedure directions should be followed exactly as given by the physician to minimize risks. These directions might include wearing compression garments, what to look for during the healing phase and when it's safe to return to normal daily activities. While any type of procedure poses some type of risk, a person who is considering this type of procedure will need to be aware of these potential risks, ask questions and be comfortable with the decision.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Robert McDonald
