Medical: Lunchtime Lipo

Two of the newest liposuction techniques are laser-assisted liposuction (Smartlipo™) and water-assisted liposuction (Body-Jet®). Smartlipo uses a small cannula with a laser-tipped fiber. Instead of a cutting edge, the laser uses a burst of energy to break down the fat cell membranes, liquefying the fat. The melted fat is drained or vacuumed away. Smartlipo has an added advantage in that the laser energy produces a skin tightening effect to smooth out the bulges and uneven ripples in the skin.

Body-Jet uses a cannula with tiny holes to produce a jet of water. The treatment produces strong pulses of water that fan out from the tip. The water power loosens the fat cells, which are then flushed away and vacuumed out of the body. Studies suggest water-assisted liposuction produced less trauma to the tissues and is less painful than traditional liposuction.

Orlando area plastic surgeon, Roger Bassin, MD, says while Smartlipo is much gentler than traditional liposuction, the melted fat still needs to be removed from the body. The traditional cannulas used for the suctioning can cause some trauma to the tissues. So, he now combines Smartlipo and Body-Jet, calling his technique Aqua Lipo.

Bassin says he is the first physician in the country to combine these two procedures. First, he uses Smartlipo to melt the fat. Then, the Body-Jet gently flushes away the melted fat and fluid. Bassin says the combo procedure avoids trauma to the nerves, blood vessels, skin, muscle and other underlying tissues. In addition, the two procedures produce an even better tightening effect than that achieved with Smartlipo alone.

An Aqua LIPO procedure takes about 30 to 40 minutes. So patients can have it on their lunch hour and go home. They are back to work by the next day. A compression garment is worn 24 hours a day for a week, then 12 hours a day for the second week. Bassin says most patients see slimmer results within 3 to 6 days. Skin tightening occurs over the next 6 to 9 months.

The typical cost for Aqua LIPO is $3,500 for the first area of the body and $2,000 for each additional area. It can be done on just about any area of the body where there is excess fat, like the abdomen, back, bra area, hips, thighs and knees. Aqua LIPO is not a weight loss procedure and is not recommended for patients with an excessive amount of fat because the treatment would create too much excess skin. Patients with large amounts of fat will still need the traditional tummy tuck.