Traditional tumescent liposuction

Ultrasonic liposuction has been performed on thousands of patients since 1989. Many positive articles about internal ultrasonic assisted liposuction (also called IUAL) have been published in Europe, Asia and South America as well as in the U.S. and the technique has subsequently become increasingly popular.

Internal ultrasonic liposuction

The following observations comparing and contrasting the two techniques have been compiled from this journal articles.

• Best suited for women and men close to their ideal weight.

• Best suited for women and men with good i.e. youthful skin tone and texture.

• May require multiple procedures to achieve ideal proportions.

• Requires surgeon's strength and dexterity to manipulate cannulas to "shear" fat for suctioning. This method can be referred to as ''mechanical'' liposuction as opposed to ''ultrasonic''.

• Ultrasonic waves delivered through the cannula emulsify or liquify the fat, while traditional liposuction requires manual effort to pulverize adipose tissue.

• Ultrasonic waves actually target fat cells specifically. Causing them to ''implode' and liquify for suction removal. Because fat cells alone are selected, blood and tissue loss is minimal.

• Ultrasonic techniques make difficult fibrous areas easier to treat than traditional methods. These fibrous areas include the male breast, upper abdomen and fatty deposits on the back.

• Traditional liposuction causes more tissue trauma and bruising than ultrasonic techniques due to tissues destruction necessary to manually break up the fat. Ultrasonic emulsifies fat without damaging adjacent tissues.

• Wavy areas of fat that are sometimes side effects of traditional liposuction are minimized by ultrasonic liposuction. Ultrasonic techniques preserve skin retraction and contraction. Because ultrasound is so precise, this means smooth and even contouring is more achievable.

• Ultrasonic liposuction may eliminate the need for secondary surgery and the extensive scarring often associated with surgery to remove excess skin following traditional liposuction; after ultrasonic liposuction, the skin appears to retain better skin tone.

• Ultrasonic liposuction may be performed on patients who are very overweight. This is possible due to the decreased blood loss and the skin tightening observed with ultrasonic liposuction.

• Less postoperative pain has been reported by patients undergoing ultrasonic liposuction.

• Ultrasonic liposuction procedures give better skin retraction and may improve cellulite.

The Australian Clinic for Cosmetic Surgery uses the most advanced and modular system available - the Contour Genesis system. Dr Rosenbaum has done specific training with Dr Grant Stevens, in Los Angeles, one of ten plastic surgeons in the U.S to be part of the original clinical trails leading to the FDA approval of ultrasonic liposuction.

Please note that no procedure is without risk, no matter how small. Surgical training on ultrasonic liposuction is critical, even when the surgeon is familiar with traditional or tumescent liposuction. Most plastic and cosmetic surgeons are not yet familiar with the use of ultrasonic. Surgeons agree that one procedure will not replace another, and that Ultrasonic techniques will serve to broaden the number of candidates now suitable for liposuction.

Some Important Questions you may need answered

"How do I know whether or not I am a candidate for the new procedure?"
Traditional tumescent liposuction has been very effective in young patients with mild to moderate amounts of fat. Ultrasonic liposuction has allowed us to expand the number of patients who may enjoy the advantages of body sculpting. This includes patients with larger amounts of fat and less elastic skin tone. It also allows us to treat areas not easily or effectively treated in the past. This would include fibrous areas such as the back, male breast and upper abdomen. A physical examination by a training cosmetic physician who has been trained in, and is familiar with the use of ultrasonic liposuction is required in order to verify whether you are a candidate for this procedure.

"What sets ultrasonic liposuction apart from traditional tumescent liposuction?"
What makes this so unique is the ability to gently liquefy or emulsify the fat without injuring the adjacent structures. This is a non-mechanical method of dissolving the fat that also appears to tighten the skin. There has been less blood loss, less bruising and decreased tissue trauma observed. Ultrasonic liposuction allows us to also remove fat in areas that were previously difficult to treat with tumescent liposuction, such as the back, upper abdomen and male breast.

"What are the possible risks and complications of ultrasonic liposuction?"
Overall patient satisfaction is very high. Unexpected outcomes needing hospital treatment are exceedingly uncommon, but as with any surgical procedure there are risks and complications. A specific complication that is unique to ultrasonic liposuction is a thermal skin injury. A list of the risks and complications of liposuction is contained in the informed consent, and will be discussed by Dr Rosenbaum prior to your procedure.

"What medical conditions might exclude me from being a candidate?"
Certainly this is elective cosmetic surgery and a patient needs to be in good medical condition in order to undergo this or other elective procedures. A patient should have the ability to heal incisions and adequately fight infections, and no medical contra-indications such as a heart or lung disease. Heavier patients are now candidates for this type of procedure; however obese patients with medical contra-indications may not be candidates. Patients with excessive amounts of redundant skin are not candidates for this procedure alone, and surgical removal of this skin may be recommended.

"Is camera equipment utilized with this procedure? If not how can you "see" what you are doing?"
The ultrasonic liposuction equipment is highly sophisticated. The fat is dissolved by the ultrasonic waves that are emitted from the end of a cannula. This liquefied fat is then gently aspirated away. While endoscopic techniques have been utilized to inspect the areas in which the fat has been removed, it is not necessary on a routine basis. This is because the results are immediately visible just as when ice or snow melts in the sun.