| Bariatric Surgery.info Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty, Ultrasonic Lipo |
Suction lipectomy w. ultrasound to break
up fat cells |
Ultrasound Assisted LiposuctionThe cosmetic surgery procedure known as ultrasonic or ultrasound assisted lipoplasty is a method of removing fat from the subcutaneous area under the skin. The fatty tissue is first infiltrated with a medical solution, then broken up by ultrasound and pumped out. Anesthesia may be local, epidural, or general. Ultrasonic Lipoplasty ProcedureDuring ultrasound liposuction surgery a large volume of medicated fluid is injected into the subcutaneous fat in a similar fashion to superwet or tumescent liposuction procedures. The liquid may include saline, lidocaine (a local anesthetic) and epinephrine (a vasoconstrictor that shrinks capillaries in order to reduce blood leakage). Then, ultrasound waves are produced by a generator and channeled to the tip of a probe. This probe is then inserted into the fatty tissue. When the tip of the probe comes into contact with fat cells, they collapse, releasing their fat which is then emulsified (liquified) and suctioned out. This ultrasonic method utilizes a process called cavitation, whereby intense vibrations at the tip of the probe cause the formation and collapse of tiny bubbles in the subcutaneous fat. Original Ultrasonic Procedure ShortenedThis European-designed method originally used a 2-stage process: ultrasonic emulsification (by probe); then fat-suctioning (by cannula). American plastic surgeons shortened this process by using a titanium probe which also acts as a suction cannula. Using this particular ultrasound method, emulsification and suction occur at the same time. Ultrasound Liposuction DiscontinuedOwing to fears of increased health risks, ultrasonic liposculpture has now largely been discontinued. In fact, because there is insufficient evidence of the safety of ultrasound assisted liposuction surgery, the US Food & Drug Administration has not approved ultrasound devices for the purpose of lipoplasty. Risks of Ultrasound LiposculptureOne of the primary concerns of ultrasound assisted liposuction is burning or scarring of the skin and underlying tissues, especially at the incision site where the probe/cannula is constantly in contact with the skin. In addition, the long term effects of ultra-sound-waves on the subcutaneous tissues are unknown. It seems that the initial reports of this type of liposuction were over-optimistic. Other Liposuction Techniques: ------------------------------------------------ Gastric Bypass Bariatric Information |