Liposuction
Liposuction surgery involves the use of a small hollow tube or cannula which is inserted into the treatment area to suction out excess fat. Areas that are most commonly treated are the hips, stomach, thighs, buttocks, arms and neck. Liposuction is also referred to as Liposculpture because it can dramatically improve and reshape and contour the treatment areas, and in effect, your body shape
Liposuction Methods
Dr Milovic performs a liposuction procedure using water-jet assisted liposuction (or WAL) and suction assisted liposuction (“SAL”), ensuring that people from Hawthorn to ACT with all needs can receive a tailored care program. As always, patients need to weigh up the benefits and risks or complications from any surgical procedure, and the methods used to achieve it. Book your initial consultation with our clinics to learn more.
Suction Assisted Liposuction
SAL is a proven, traditional method of liposuction. With this method, a small cannula is inserted into a small incision near the treatment area. It is attached to a vacuum device. The plastic surgeon pushes and pulls it in a forwards and backwards motion, carefully through the fat layer, breaking up the fat cells and drawing them out of the body by suction.
Water –jet Assisted Liposuction
Water-jet Assisted Liposuction(WAL) is a tissue-selective, non-tumescent liposuction technique that maximises the advantages of the tumescent method while minimising the drawbacks.
The BodyJet®, water assisted liposuction technology, is a more gentle, effective method of liposuction with a quicker recovery time and less discomfort. WAL uses a thin, fan-shaped jet of water to target, gently release, and aspirate fat cells, sparing blood vessels and nerves. The gentle separation of fat cells from connective tissue minimises trauma to the treatment area. Simultaneous infiltration and aspiration enables the precise correction of margins and the reduction, if not complete elimination, of post-operational fluid and minimises swelling, allowing real time precise contouring.
Laser Assisted Liposuction
Dr Milovic has chosen not to use the laser liposuction method. It is not considered to be the standard approach to liposuction in reputable plastic surgery practices. Recent scientific research (in the authoritative Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Journal) has found that there were no appreciable differences with laser assisted liposuction treatment when comparing the before and after treatment under an electron scanning microscope. In fact, the researchers found that there was no effect whatsoever on the fat in the treated area and no evidence of any fat cell deflation. Most respected plastic surgeons are still awaiting further scientific and clinical studies before they start performing this procedure. A reputable plastic surgeon will want you to have the best results possible in your particular circumstances, rather than provide you with treatments that are not proven to work.
Certainly, the proponents of laser assisted liposuction would argue that this procedure is safe and painless, has less bleeding and bruising however it is also a controversial surgical technique due to the high risk of recognised serious complications, such as seroma, neuropraxia, contour irregularities and deformities, and burns due to a lack of acceptable internal temperature measurement. However, as with any surgical procedure, laser assisted liposuction could be considered safe and effective in qualified surgical hands. It is not necessarily the technology, but rather who is at the other end of the cannula.
Dr Milovic will discuss the various Liposuction options with you during your first consultation. Make an appointment today at our Malvern, Melbourne or Deakin, Canberra clinic to start the discussion.