The past few years have brought many new advancements in the science of liposuction. Unfortunately, those advancements have also brought lots of misinformation and confusion about the effectiveness and safety of the procedure.

At the present time, professionals in the industry are pushing several different procedures that all claim to eradicate excess fat to perform – our new favorite buzzword – body contouring.

I don’t recommend that consumers attempt to wade through all of the different brand names being touted as the latest and greatest liposuction device. But on the other hand, understanding the technology can give you a more objective picture of what your surgeon is offering.

Keep in mind that most of the new liposuction offerings are basically the same as traditional liposuction; they’re just aided by a device or technique that prepares fat for easy removal.

• Ultrasonic liposuction, what we offer, is a method that uses soundwaves to emulsify fat before removal. A recent study published in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal refuted the idea that ultrasonic lipo destroyed fat cells, proving that viable fat cells could be harvested with the technique.  What this means is that Ultrasonic liposuction such as VASER can be used in fat transfer or fat grafting procedures. Read more here: VASER liposuction and fat transfer.

• Laser liposuction or laser lipolysis uses a cannula that applies laser energy to fat cells during the procedure, which allows them to drain away easier.

• Tumescent liposuction is a technique that may be combined with others listed. The fat is saturated with a tumescent liquid that contains the local anesthetic, lidocaine.

• Lipodissolve or injection lipolysis is marketed as a non-invasive liposuction alternative. The procedure breaks down fat by injecting chemicals such as phosphatidylcholine into areas that need slimming. What’s disconcerting about lipodissolve is the lack of FDA regulation and research backing the treatment. According to a recent press release, the FDA is (finally) investigating the safety and effectiveness of the treatment.