Alternatives
To Liposuction: Are They For You?
Liposuction is a surgical procedure performed to shape the body by
removing fat from between the skin and muscles. It is performed on
various parts of the body, including the abdominal area, the buttocks,
the thighs, and the arms. In most liposuction procedures, a hollow
plastic tube (cannula) and a suction device (aspirator) are used to
remove the fat.
Like other surgical procedures, liposuction carries a risk of
complications, such as adverse reactions to anesthesia or medication,
infection, problems with bleeding and clotting, and disruptions in the
function of the heart, brain, or nerves. There is also a risk of
complications unique to liposuction, such as accidental puncturing of
internal organs, death of the skin, and disturbances in fluid balance.
New techniques have enabled surgeons to reduce the risk of
complications in liposuction procedures, but some risk remains. If you
don’t want to take these risks, you might want to consider alternatives to liposuction.
Also like other surgical procedures, liposuction is costly. If you are
not willing or able to pay for a liposuction procedure, one of the
alternatives to liposuction may be a good option for you.
A third downside to liposuction procedures is the relatively long
recovery period. Persons who have undergone liposuction may need up to
several weeks to resume normal activity. If you cannot afford the
downtime, you might want to check out some alternatives to liposuction.
There are a
number of alternatives to liposuction. First, there are the
natural methods of weight loss, that is, diet and exercise. While
liposuction is a procedure to shape the body, not to reduce weight, an
improved body shape may also be achieved through weight loss. People
who follow a healthy, reduced-calorie diet and engage in a combination
of aerobic exercise and weight training can lose a substantial amount
of fat and achieve the body shape they desire.
In many cases, however, diet and exercise are not enough to remove
stubborn, unsightly spots of body fat. If you feel a need to supplement
your dieting and exercising with other procedures but do not want to go
the surgical route, you can check out the following non-surgical
alternatives to liposuction:
Mesotherapy
Mesotherapy is a non-surgical method to reduce cellulite and therefore
improve body shape. It involves the use of very small needles to inject
fat-dissolving substances into fatty tissue. After the fat is
dissolved, it is eliminated from the body in the same way as other
waste materials.
Mesotherapy is practically painless and highly effective. Many patients
who try mesotherapy see a positive change in their body shape after a
single session. While multiple sessions are required, the total cost of
mesotherapy treatment is generally less than the cost of liposuction.
Mesotherapy is effective not only in improving body shape but also in
correcting the appearance of cellulite.
Thermage
Thermage (a registered trademark) is the least invasive procedure for
shaping the body. It involves the use of a laser to melt fat and cause
collagen (a form of connective tissue present in the skin) to tighten,
making the skin firmer. Like mesotherapy, Thermage is relatively
painless and less costly than liposuction. The primary use of Thermage,
however, is reversal of the sagging of facial skin. It cannot be used
as extensively in removing fat from other areas of the body.
Lipodissolve
Lipodissolve (a registered trademark) is the newest advance in
body-shaping technology. In this procedure, chemicals are injected into
fatty tissue. These chemicals dissolve the fat, which is then
eliminated from the body through the urine. Lipodissolve is essentially
similar to mesotherapy, but it uses different substances for dissolving
fat, and it has a shorter recovery period. Its effects combine those of
mesotherapy (removal of fat) and Thermage (making skin firmer).
Lipodissolve is less expensive than liposuction and produces
longer-lasting results.
Whether you decide to try liposuction or its alternatives, remember
that after a body-shaping procedure, whether surgical or non-surgical,
you will need proper diet and regular exercise to maintain your new
shape. Following healthy habits is still the key to looking good.
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