Liposuction Techniques – Which Is Right for You?

There are a variety of liposuction techniques used by plastic surgeons to remove stubborn pockets of fat, including ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) and tumescent liposuction. Liposuction techniques can be categorized by two main factors: the amount of fluid injected into the tissues and the fat removal mechanism used. No one technique can be singled out as the "best" liposuction method; in fact, the success of liposuction procedures has more to do with the talent and expertise of the surgeon rather than the liposuction method used. If you are considering liposuction, make sure to discuss the pros and cons of each method with your plastic surgeon to determine which type of liposuction is right for you.

Liposuction - Wet or Dry?

Liposuction methods vary from dry to super wet - the dry method involves no fluid injections at all while the wet method involves the injection of fluid into the treatment area. The amount of fluid varies from an amount less in volume than the amount of fat being removed (wet liposuction) to the same amount as the volume of fat being removed (super-wet liposuction). The goal of injecting this solution (which is a mix of lidocaine, epinephrine, and a salt solution) is to loosen the fat cells, making them easier to remove via suction. The dry liposuction method is no longer in practice; plastic surgeons currently use either the wet or super-wet method, depending on the amount of fat to be removed (super-wet is preferred when removing larger volumes of fat).

Fat Removal Methods

The second classification of liposuction techniques is the method used to remove excess fat. Most liposuction techniques involve the use of a cannula, which is a thin suctioning device. The standard liposuction method is referred to as SAL, or suction-assisted liposuction. During this approach the surgeon uses a cannula to break up fat cells. The cannula is attached to a suction device which removes the fat as the surgeon breaks through layers of fat.

The more modern version of traditional SAL liposuction is power-assisted liposuction (PAL). This technique is similar to SAL but the cannula is mechanized, which means the surgeon does not have to physically break up layers of fat, the cannula does the work for them.

Ultrasound liposuction, or UAL, is an alternative technique that involves the use of ultrasound energy to liquefy fat cells. The surgeon uses a special cannula to transmit ultrasound vibrations into the body, which causes fat cells to burst. This method is ideal for treatment areas with fibrous fat that cannot easily be broken up via pushing and pulling of the cannula by the surgeon.

There are several new liposuction techniques that are currently being studied by plastic surgeons throughout the country. If you would like to learn more about the latest non-invasive liposuction techniques, consult a plastic surgeon in your area.

Consult a cosmetic surgeon before you decide to undergo nose job surgery, abdominoplasty, or another aesthetic procedure.