Achieve the body you want, permanently

Assisted Lipolysis (laser and/or ultrasonic assisted liposuction) is a revolutionary fat removal technique that allows for fast recovery, minimal trauma and much finer results than traditional liposuction.

It is becoming favoured by many patients due the improved results and reduced recovery times.

It is successfully administered anywhere the body stores fat, which typically involves:

•  Chin
•  Underarms (Bat Wings)
•  Back
•  Flanks (Love Handles)
•  Thighs (inner and outer)
•  Knees
•  Calves
•  Abdomen – including pre or post pregnancy
•  Ankles

The advantages of laser and ultrasonic assisted liposuction over the traditional version includes:

•  Safety – it is considered by most to be safer than traditional liposuction, as there are strict protocols that must be adhered to.
•  The question of ‘loose’ skin – Traditional liposuction can leave loose skin where fat has been removed. This process stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen, causing the skin to tighten and firm.
•  Less downtime in comparison – As this procedure is in fact minimally invasive, and does not require a general anaesthetic, it means that you can drive to and from the procedure if you wish. It is preferable to be driven as it is still a procedure. Most patients are able to be back at work within a day or two with some discomfort, but far less than the traditional procedure.
•  Minimal bruising – as this system uses a laser and/or ultrasound to melt or liquefy the fat calls, the small blood vessels which when damaged lead to bruising, are not affected as much. If you do tend to bruise very easily, there may be some bruising, but it usually resolves quickly.
•  Importantly – lower cost. Assisted liposuction is typically cheaper than traditional liposuction as the procedure is quicker and does not require general anaesthesia and hence, no hospital stay is required.

The type of procedure is ideal for people who have a normal BMI and are not significantly overweight. You should already be maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, as this will assist in quicker recovery and final result.

You can feel a difference in the fat volume at the time of the procedure. As the area heals and remodels, changes will become more visible.

The overall result depends on the severity of the area to be treated, but dramatic improvements are usually seen approximately eight weeks after treatment. Results will continue to improve over the next few months as the fat volume continues to decrease and the skin starts to tighten – with final results after four to six months.

The Procedure

A local anaesthetic is applied to the area to be treated and the procedure is virtually painless. The initial introduction of local anaesthesia may be uncomfortable and you may experience an odd sensation of the Cannula moving in the fatty tissue but this is not painful.

Usually only one treatment for a particular area would be needed, but this does depend on your size and the number of areas you want treated.

The doctor doing your assessment will advise you on this at your initial consultation. A maximum of three areas can be treated at one time, and it will take approximately five hours to do the three areas.

You will need to take the day of the procedure off and ideally we would recommend that you take at least the day off after the procedure as well, just to rest and recover.

Minor bruising or discomfort may occur in the first 24 hours. Antibiotics are given for five days after the procedure to prevent infection.

How does assisted liposuction work?

A 1mm fibre optic laser is fed under the skin through a tiny incision. It delivers safe heat to the fat cells, causing them to break down.

These ‘melted’ fat cells are then sucked out using a small suction catheter.

The ‘melted fat’ that is not completely suctioned off at the time of the procedure is metabolised and excreted by the body over the next few weeks. In relation to this, we have found that by using Colon Hydrotherapy for a period of time after the procedure, any swelling or water retention reduces much quicker, and by ensuring adequate quick excretion of the metabolised fat, the result improves as then re-absorption of this fat does not occur.

At the same time, any small blood vessels that may have been damaged are ‘sealed off’ thus preventing excessive bruising.

The heat generated, although completely safe, causes collagen to contract and stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen, resulting in tightening of the overlying skin giving a smooth sculpted appearance.

The procedure is done using tumescent local anaesthetic and does not require a general anaesthetic.

For more information, phone 011 453-3450/2 or email sinclairaesthetics@gmail.com

Submitted by Dr Julie Sinclair