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As the boom in body contouring continues to grow, technology is growing with it. Physicians are making changes in their techniques and manufacturers are coming up with devices able to shape the body and disrupt fat in novel ways. We spoke with several physicians about body sculpting using the 9 most often used body contouring procedures currently available.
Dr. Mark Schusterman: ..."The bottom line is, traditional liposuction works, it works well, and it works well on the majority of patients."
No use of lasers or other technology to disrupt fat.
Return to regular activity in 2-3 days, exercise in 1 month
Offered by most cosmetic surgeons.
Additional information about Liposuction
Dr. Thomas Barnes:..."You get increased skin shrinkage - skin tightening - in addition to what you get from liposuction alone."
Laser fiber delivers heat to melt fat and stimulate collagen growth
Many patients return to work after 1-2 days
Offered by many physicians, multiple lasers available
Brands offered: SmartLipo, ProLipo, SlimLipo and more.
Additional information about Laser Lipolysis
Dr. Victoria Falcone:"...the vibration of the cannula overrides the nerve fibers and makes it much more comfortable. Most of the patients say it tickles."
Dr. Jeffrey Hall:"...The recovery is so much better for the patient. They have less bruising and less swelling."
Uses a vibrating cannula to break up fat
Patients return to work in 2-3 days, some as early as 1
Currently offered at approximately 20 offices around the US
Dr. David Broadway:"...it makes it much easier to sculpt people and that's really the goal. It's not to just volumetrically reduce people but to actually sculpt people."
Ultrasonic waves of energy break up fat
Many return to work in 2-3 days
More than 1000 units placed
Brands offered: Vaser
Additional information about Ultrasound Assisted Lipo
Dr. Todd Malan:"...we're actually using a jet of water to blast the fat off its connective tissue like shaking grapes off a vine"
A pressurized spray of water separates fat from connective tissue
Most patients return to work in one day
Offered at many offices around the nation
Brands offered: {!Body-Jet}
Additional information about {!Water Assisted Lipo | body-jet}
Dr. Henry Chan: "...we find it to be very effective, especially treating localized areas such as the love handles, abdomen, back fat"
Dr. Lori Brightman: "...this is actually a non-invasive way of destroying fat cells in your body"
Dr. Rox Anderson: "...What's going on with a stick of butter is that the fat molecules crystallize, they 'freeze' if you will, at a much higher temperature than water does. In your body, fat is by far the richest lipid tissue and it undergoes the same transition"
Applies cold to an area, causing fat to crystallize
Return to exercise and regular activities immediately
Still undergoing FDA trials, not generally offered
Brands offered: Zeltiq
Additional information about Cryolipolysis
Dr. Thomas Barnes: "...we can lose 4 or 5 inches - an aggregate - off of hips, thighs and waist"
Completely non-invasive light causes fat cells to empty contents
Exercise and regular activities can be resumed immediately
Widely available, not FDA approved for this use
Brands offered: Zerona
Additional information about Low Level Laser Therapy
Dr. Malcolm Paul: "...this is the only technology that can simultaneously dissolve the fat cells, coagulate the blood vessels (so that there's less bleeding and bruising) aspirate the fat that is dissolved, and as importantly, tighten the collagen from the skin down to the muscle"
Dr. Richard D'Amico: "...It also has incredible value in treating cellulite because nothing treats cellulite like this does"
Radio frequency breaks up fat from surrounding tissues
Return to work and regular activity within a week
Brands offered: BodyTite
Not yet FDA approved, only available as part of trials
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