Liposuction can remove these areas of extra fat in many people, and give a fresh start to a healthy diet and exercise program. However, traditional liposuction can be a painful experience and in many cases require a long recovery period, facts which dissuade many from having liposuction. Also, 20% of patients who have traditional old time liposuction have skin irregularities after the liposuction procedure.

I have been using tumescent laser liposuction with the new SlimLipo laser lipo technique for fat removal, laser body sculpting and laser liposculpture for almost a year now and I am amazed at how much better the tumescent laser liposuction technique is than the old time non-laser liposuction method. My patients have smooth tight skin after laser liposuction, and their recovery after laser lipo is much easier and less painful.

The benefit of the new tumescent laser liposuction technique is that the laser melts the fat before it is removed, making fat removal much easier with laser lipo. The tumescent technique minimizes bleeding and discomfort. The laser also tightens the skin as the fat is melted. The result is more uniform fat removal, smooth skin, less bleeding and less pain after tumescent laser liposuction. See before and after pictures of tumescent laser liposuction and mini tummy tuck below:

What Is Tumescent Laser Liposuction?

Tumescent laser liposuction is a new liposuction method that combines the use of tumescent solution with laser melting of fat before fat removal.

Tumescent solution is a liquid that contains an anesthetic or numbing solution and a vasoconstrictor, a medication that helps control bleeding. The tumescent solution is injected beneath the skin, into the fat to be removed, before the laser liposuction or laser lipo is started.

The tumescent solution numbs the skin area for pain control which can last up to 24 hours. The solution also prevents bleeding which reduces post laser liposuction bruising and swelling, which speeds recovery.
The tumescent solution is injected under pressure, which swells or distends the fat and makes removal easier. The distention and hydration (adding water to) of the fat also improves the effectiveness and safety of the laser treatment to dissolve the fat.
The benefits of the tumescent laser liposuction technique are:

• Excellent pain control
• Less bleeding and bruising
• More effective fat removal
• Less risk of skin irregularities after liposuction

Above: Before and 4 days after picture of tumescent laser liposuction of neck and small chin implant to correct double chin.

How Is the Tumescent Laser Liposuction Treatment Done?

Tumescent laser liposuction may be done with you awake or asleep. Many areas can be treated with you awake using only the local anesthesia provided by the tumescent solution. However, the benefits of tumescence are so important that tumescent solution is also used when laser liposuction is done under general anesthesia, for control of bleeding, improved fat removal and for post operative pain management.

After your skin has been cleansed with a sterile anti-bacterial soap, the skin area to be liposuctioned is sterilely draped to prevent contamination.

Tiny punctures are made in hidden areas of the skin, and a small needle inserted beneath the skin into the fat to be removed. The tumescent solution is then injected into the fat under pressure to swell the fat and deliver the anesthetic and vasoconstrictor (prevents bleeding) solution.

After a brief waiting period until your skin is numb and the tumescent fluid has taken effect, the laser fiber is inserted through the same puncture sites and the fat is melted with the laser. The fat is liquefied into a thin liquid which is much easier to remove than fat that is removed with traditional old time liposuction.

After the fat has been liquefied, a small tube called a cannula is inserted and the liquid fat removed by suction. Because the fat has been liquefied, much smaller cannulas can be used than with traditional non-laser liposuction. This fact results in a less traumatic procedure with tiny hidden scars, very different from old time liposuction.

The laser also tightens the skin as the fat is lased. The laser heats the fibers that attach your skin to your body, and causes these fibers to shorten which pulls the skin closer to the body. Microscopic studies have shown that many more fibers, called connective tissue, are left after laser liposuction than after non-laser liposuction. I believe that this fact helps explain the improved skin tightening and smooth skin after laser liposuction.

Before and after pictures of Tumescent laser liposuction to correct deformities caused by previous old time non-laser liposuction.

I recommend that you visit the following links to learn more about liposuction surgery and how to check out your doctors training, experience and board certification status:

American Board of Plastic Surgery
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons

What Questions Should I Ask the Doctor About Tumescent Laser Liposuction?

Do not be intimidated by the white coat and afraid to ask the doctor important questions. You are an educated consumer, and a good doctor will welcome the fact that you are prepared and have done your reading. I prefer to have informed patients, they always do better after surgery. Plastic surgery is no place for snap decisions or impulse buying.

In my book Save Your Face, in Chapter ten, I give details on how to choose your doctor and what questions to ask. A brief summary of important questions are:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• How often do you do tumescent laser liposuction?
• Do you think I am a good candidate for tumescent laser liposuction?
• Are you comfortable operating on me with my particular goals?
• Do you anticipate a good result-why?
• Can you show me before and after picture of patients that you have operated on?
• Can I speak to a patient who has had this surgery by you?
• What are the arrangements for an emergency during nights and weekends-are you available?
• Will my tumescent laser liposuction be done in an approved operating room or outpatient facility under standard sterile and safety precautions? Are emergency services and monitoring available if needed?

Most importantly, trust your gut feelings during your visit with the doctor. Is the office clean and professional? Do the doctor and staff treat you in a respectful manner? Ask yourself will I be comfortable calling these people and depending on them if I have an emergency at night or on weekends? Will I be comfortable expressing my concerns or disappointment if I feel that way? If you detect any discomfort or uncertainty, you should consult another doctor.

Tumescent laser liposuction is a remarkable, revolutionary advance in liposuction and fat removal techniques. The benefits can be very significant. However, the results of liposuction, like any surgical procedure are very dependent upon the skill and expertise of your surgeon. Choose wisely and I expect that you will have a very happy result.

For more information on tumescent laser liposuction call 978-369-4499 or email me. Read our free newsletter to learn about the latest non-surgical and plastic surgical face and body rejuvenation techniques.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Masachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Like many of you I have thought that liposuction would be a great way to get rid of the belly fat or spare tire, but old time liposuction is a very traumatic operation. Many people who have had liposuction complain of a painful recovery, have bruising for many weeks, and are often left with loose skin and lumps, bumps, and skin irregularities after liposuction.

I have been using the new laser liposuction technique called SlimLipo laser liposuction for almost a year and have been very impressed with the results. The new laser lipo technique leaves the skin looking smooth after liposuction. Laser lipo also tightens the skin as the fat is melted by the laser fiber which is placed under the skin. Thus the fat is much easier to remove after laser lipo than with the old time liposuction techniques.

Before and after pictures of laser lipo of abdomen. Notice the smooth tight skin without lumps and bumps in the after picture on the right.

How Does Laser Lipo or Laser Liposuction Work?

Laser lipo is a laser liposuction technique for removing excess or unwanted fat from beneath the skin in certain areas of the body. Most commonly laser lipo or laser liposuction is done to remove belly fat from the tummy, chin or neck fat in a double chin, and fat from the inside of the thighs, outside of the hips, and the buttocks, knees and arms.

The laser lipo liposuction procedure involves placing a tiny laser lipo fiber beneath the skin into the fat pockets under the skin, and melting the fat with laser energy. Laser lipo melts the fat into a liquid which is much easier for the plastic surgeon to remove than with traditional liposuction methods. Because the fat is a liquid it can be removed with a very tiny tube called a cannula. The cannulas used after laser lipo are 2-3 millimeters in diameter, less than half the size of the cannulas often used in old time liposuction.

The heat from the laser lipo laser fiber not only melts or liquefies the fat, but laser lipo also tightens the skin as the laser lipo procedure is done. This prevents the loose skin that is so common after traditional liposuction techniques.

Why is Laser Lipo Better than Old Time Liposuction?

While traditional non-laser liposuction has been very successful for removing fat and improving body contour, many patients are disappointed by loose or irregular skin after liposuction. As many as 20% of patients who have traditional liposuction complain of lumps, bumps, swellings, wavy lines or skin irregularities after recovering from liposuction. Plastic surgeons call these problems contour deformities. If you check your surgical consent given you before non-laser liposuction, you will read that these deformities are expected in a certain percentage of cases.

In my experience to date I have been truly amazed at how smooth the skin of my patients is after laser lipo liposuction. My opinion, based on my anecdotal experience, is that because the fat is liquefied by the laser lipo fiber before removal, the fat removal process is more uniform. Non-laser liposuction cannulas actually use strong suction pressure to pull, avulse or rip fat from beneath the skin. This technique not only causes trauma to the skin, but also leaves skipped or missed areas of fat which appear as lumps and bumps on the skin afterwards. See before and after picture below of laser lipo correction of skin deformities (circled in purple) that had been caused by old time liposuction done two years before.

Before and after pictures of laser lipo skin smoothing of abdomen. The patient had an old time liposuction 1 year before and was left with lumps and bumps which are outlined in purple on the left. On the right after laser lipo the skin is significantly smoother.

In addition, the laser lipo fiber produces heat beneath the skin which not only melts fat but also tightens the skin. This skin tightening achieved by the laser lipo laser liposculpture method helps prevent the problem of loose skin after non-laser liposuction. This is a major advance in liposuction technique in my opinion.

While skin tightening has been possible with invasive ultrasound non-laser liposuction technology, the size of the ultrasound probe and the risk of skin burn, has limited the use of this technique to the abdomen. The laser lipo fiber is so small that it can be used in any body area that can be treated with liposuction.

How is laser Lipo Done?

Laser lipo can be done under local or general anesthesia. The most important thing is that your laser lipo liposuction be done in an approved, licensed, operating room where strict sterile and surgical precautions are used. Resist the temptation to bargain shop for a low priced laser liposuction in an office. You may save money but you could lose your life to an infection.

Prior to your laser lipo liposuction procedure, a small needle will be inserted beneath your skin and a special liposuction fluid called tumescent fluid is instilled beneath the skin. The purpose of this tumescent fluid is to minimize bleeding, provide pain control for up to 24 hours, and to loosen or prepare the fat beneath the skin for later removal. The fluid causes the skin to bulge or tumesce, which makes the movement of the laser lipo fiber easier through the fat layer.

Next, very tiny holes are placed in hidden locations on your skin, for example inside the belly button, to allow the laser lipo fiber to be placed into the fat beneath the skin. The laser is turned on and the fiber is moved back and forth in the fat to dissolve the fat and tighten the skin.

After the laser lipo fiber has dissolved the fat beneath the skin, a small tube, the cannula is inserted beneath the skin and the fat removed by suction. Because the fat is now liquid, I use a small syringe to remove the fat and do not usually use the more powerful liposuction machine, unless I am treating a large area.

When finished, the tiny entrance holes are closed with one suture or a stere-strip. The area that has been treated will be placed in a tight compressive garment to support the skin.

After a brief stay in the recovery room to make sure you feel well and are stable, you will be discharged home. Usually you will return to the office in 4-5 days for an exam and suture removal if any were placed. I will ask you to bring your own garment such as a “Spanks” or other tight garment to wear home after your first office visit.

How Long Is the Recovery from Laser Lipo?

You will be up and and around, able to walk, eat, use the bathroom and perform other normal activities right after your procedure. I do ask you not to do strenuous physical exercise or heavy lifting for about a week.

In my experience, there is less bruising with laser lipo or laser liposuction than with traditional liposuction. If you do have bruising, it will likely be gone in 10 days to two weeks. I have not seen the prolonged bruising and swelling that I have seen in the past with regular liposuction.

Which Laser Lipo Machine Is Best?

I use the SlimLipo laser lipo machine made by Palomar medical. The SlimLipo laser lipo or liposuction technique uses a patented 924nm (nm stands for nanometer which is one millionth of a meter and is used to describe laser wavelength) laser wavelength. The 924nm laser wavelength is absorbed specifically by fat, and 3-5 times as much fat is released or liquefied with the 924nm laser wavelength as with other laser wavelengths used in laser lipo, the 1064nm and 1308nm laser wavelengths.

How Do I Find the Right Doctor to Do Laser Lipo?

I recommend that you consult 2 plastic surgeons that are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. There are many different doctors who advertise and do laser lipo. However, any procedure which involves treatment beneath the skin is considered surgery, and if you are having surgery of any kind, you want a board certified surgeon taking care of you. Board certified plastic surgeons spend 5-7 years of training and 2-3 years of experience before they are allowed to take the certifying examinations.

Plastic surgeons spend years learning how to provide safe surgical care and have the expertise and ability to achieve good aesthetic results. Most importantly, if anything goes wrong, they have the experience to take care of you, unlike some physicians who have never had surgical training.

Laser lipo is an exciting, remarkable, revolutionary new technique in liposuction, body contouring and body sculpting. In my personal experience it has many advantages over old time liposuction techniques.

If you are considering liposuction, please do your homework and choose an expert. The links below are excellent resources for finding the best doctor for your laser lipo procedure:

American Board of Plastic Surgery

American Society of Plastic Surgeons

American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

For more information on laser lipo please call 978-369-4499 or email us. Read our free newsletter to learn about the newest laser and non-surgical treatments for face and body rejuvenation. Read Save Your Face to learn how to prevent facial aging.

Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Palomar™ Medical has just introduced SLIMLIPO™ a new laser liposuction technology which will revolutionize the way liposuction, liposculpture, and body contouring is done. The word SLIM™ stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting and what is new is the laser wavelength-925 and 925/975 nm- which selectively melts fat-5 times more than SmartLipo™and 3 times more than the 1320nm laser used in the CoolLipo™ device.

In some patients with smaller fat deposits we can melt the fat with the tiny SLIMLIPO™ laser fiber and use no suction to remove the dissolved fat. This means less bruising, less trauma, and quick recovery.

New laser liposuction technology is revolutionizing the way liposuction is done.

Benefits of the new laser liposuction technique are:

• The laser selectively dissolves fat unlike standard liposuction which can destroy all tissues in the fat layer.
• The laser closes blood vessels=less bleeding, less bruising
• The laser tightens skin=less loose skin after liposuction
• Laser liposuction is less traumatic=quicker recovery
• The laser fiber is tiny= smaller scars
• Smaller areas done under local anesthesia

See Results of SlimLipo Tummy Tuck Below

Diagram of how SlimLipo works on fat cells below:

All laser liposuction machines are not equal.
You need to understand the importance of the laser wavelength used to melt fat. Most laser liposuction machines on the market today use a 1064nm or 1320nm laser wavelength. Actually the best wavelength which is most highly absorbed by fat is 925nm, a wavelength patented and owned by Palomar™ Medical in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Palomar has introduced the SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ Liposuction Unit which is the first 925nm based laser liposuction and releases 5 times as much fat as the 1064nm SmartLipo® laser and 3 times more than the 1320nm Coolipo® laser-the other commercially available laser liposuction technology. It is also selectively absorbed by blood. This means that the SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ laser liposuction unit dissolves fat and prevents bleeding much more effectively than any other liposuction machines. See the figure below for comparison of the fat melting selectivity of the various laser liposuction units available today-remember, Palomar’s new SLIMLIPO uses the 925nm laser:

For you the patient this translates into:

• Gentler more thorough fat removal
• Less bleeding, less bruising
• Quicker recovery

We also can blend in a 975nm laser wavelength with the Aspire™ which is highly absorbed by the Dermis-the deep layer of your skin which controls skin tightening. For you this means:

• Tighter skin after liposuction
• Less risk of revisional surgery after liposuction

I am proud to say that we helped Palomar™ develop this revolutionary new laser and are the first to offer SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ laser liposuction unit in Massachusetts and the Boston area and one of the first practices in the world to have this machine.

If you are considering laser liposuction you really need to know the facts and understand the technology. Once you do the advantages of SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ system are obvious-there is nothing else like it on the market.

For more information on laser liposuction or plastic surgery in general call 978-369-4499 or visit my website.Be sure to sign up for my free email newsletter for information on the latest advances in plastic surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Seckel

Concord, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

I call the above a bikini tuck because the scar is hidden beneath the bikini line.
Many lasers have been used in the past to try to tighten loose abdominal skin, but none in my opinion have been effective. However new laser liposuction technology has been developed that truly can melt fat and tighten skin, perform true liposculpture and create a laser tummy tuck or non-surgical tummy tuck in properly selected patients.

The New Laser Tummy Tuck
Recently a new laser has been developed for laser liposuction which can effectively melt fat and tighten skin of the abdomen in properly selected patients. The results can be dramatic. See photos below of before and after a mini tuck and laser liposuction or laser body sculpting of the upper abdomen:

Although the laser tummy tuck is most successful on younger and thinner patients, I have also had impressive results on older patients with significant skin excess and fat-see photo below of 70 year old patient following laser liposuction ONLY-no surgical excision or tummy tuck:

How Does the Laser Tummy Tuck Work?
The new laser system uses a 925nm and combination 925/975nm laser wavelengths passed through a small fiber into the fat beneath the tummy skin. The 925nm laser is selectively absorbed by the fat and actually melts the fat. The 925/975nm combination tightens the tissue beneath the skin and pulls the skin tighter against the underlying muscles.
This is new technology-previous laser liposuction machines used a 1064nm or 1308nm laser wavelength. The 925nm is absorbed by fat 5 times more than the 1064nm and 3 times more than the 1308.
The result, in my experience, is more effective fat removal and skin tightening.

What Are the Advantages of the Laser Tummy Tuck Over a Surgical Tummy Tuck?
The most important of course is that the laser tummy tuck does not require large incisions and a surgical procedure on the abdomen. The laser liposuction fiber is placed under the skin through a tiny hole made in a hidden location in the skin. The major benefits are:

• No Long Surgical Scars
• Quicker Recovery
• Many Can Be Done Under Local Anesthesia
• Loose Skin and Fat Above the Belly Button Can Be Corrected Without Major Surgery

What are the Advantages of Laser Tummy Tuck Over Plain Liposuction of the Abdomen?
Traditional liposuction is used to remove fat from the abdomen and is very effective at fat removal. However, in my experience, there are several problems associated with liposuction done without the laser, mainly loose skin and contour irregularities and dimpling of the skin.
In my experience so far I have been very impressed with the skin tightening after the laser liposuction tummy tuck procedure. I have also been able to use the technique on thinner patients and have not seen the skin irregularities and contour deformities I have seen with liposuction without the laser. The benefits of the laser liposuction method in my practice are:

• Tighter Skin
• Smoother Skin- Fewer, if any, Irregularities
• Less Tissue Trauma-Gentler Procedure

Learn More
You may read more about this procedure on my website. Also, you can keep up to date on new technologies and discoveries in aesthetics, self enhancement, and plastic surgery in my monthly free email newsletter.
Dr. Seckel
Concord, Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Palomar™ Medical has just introduced SLIMLIPO™ a new laser liposuction technology which will revolutionize the way liposuction and body contouring is done. The word SLIM™ stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting and what is new is the laser wavelength-924 and 924/975 nm- which selectively melts fat-3 times more than SmartLipo™and 5 times more than the 1320nm laser used in the CoolLipo™ device.

In some patients with smaller fat deposits we can melt the fat with the tiny SLIMLIPO™ laser fiber and use no suction to remove the dissolved fat. This means less bruising, less trauma, and quick recovery.

New laser liposuction technology is revolutionizing the way liposuction is done.

Benefits of the new laser liposuction technique are:
The laser selectively dissolves fat unlike standard liposuction which can destroy all tissues.
The laser closes blood vessels=less bleeding, less bruising
The laser tightens skin=less loose skin after liposuction
Laser liposuction is less traumatic=quicker recovery
The laser fiber is tiny= smaller scars
Smaller areas done under local anesthesia

See Results of SlimLipo Tummy Tuck Below

 Diagram of how SlimLipo works on fat cells below:

All laser liposuction machines are not equal.
You need to understand the importance of the laser wavelength used to melt fat. Most laser liposuction machines on the market today use a 1064nm or 1320nm laser wavelength. Actually the best wavelength which is most highly absorbed by fat is 920nm, a wavelength patented and owned by Palomar™ Medical in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Palomar has introduced the SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ Liposuction Unit which is the first 924nm based laser liposuction and is 3 times as selectively absorbed by fat as the 1064nm SmartLipo® laser and 2 times more than the 1320nm Coolipo® laser-the other commercially available laser liposuction technology. It is also 5 times as selectively absorbed by blood. This means that the SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ laser liposuction unit dissolves fat and prevents bleeding much more effectively than any other laser liposuction machine available. See the figure below for comparison of the fat melting selectivity of the various laser liposuction units available today-remember, Palomar’s new SLIMLIPO uses the 924nm laser:

For you the patient this translates into:

Gentler more thorough fat removal
Less bleeding, less bruising
Quicker recovery

We also can blend in a 975nm laser wavelength with the Aspire™ which is highly absorbed by the Dermis-the deep layer of your skin which controls skin tightening. For you this translates into:

Tighter skin after liposuction
Less risk of revisional surgery after liposuction

I am proud to say that we helped Palomar™ develop this revolutionary new laser and are the first to offer SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ laser liposuction unit in Massachusetts and the Boston area and one of the first practices in the world to have this machine.

If you are considering laser liposuction you really need to know the facts and understand the technology. Once you do the advantages of SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ system are obvious-there is nothing else like it on the market.

For more information on laser liposuction, liposculpture, or plastic surgery in general call 978-369-4499 or visit my website.Be sure to sign up for my free email newsletter for information on the latest advances in plastic surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Seckel

Concord, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

Palomar™ Medical has just introduced SLIMLIPO™ a new laser liposuction technology which will revolutionize the way liposuction is done. The word SLIM™ stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting and what is new is the laser wavelength-925 and 925/975 nm- which selectively melts fat-5 times more than SmartLipo™and 3 times more than the 1320nm laser used in the CoolLipo™ device.

In some patients with smaller fat deposits we can melt the fat with the tiny SLIMLIPO™ laser fiber and use no suction to remove the dissolved fat. This means less bruising, less trauma, and quick recovery.

New laser liposuction technology is revolutionizing the way liposuction and body sculpting is done.

Benefits of the new laser liposuction technique are:

· Laser liposuction is less traumatic=quicker recovery

· The laser fiber is tiny= smaller scars

· Smaller areas done under local anesthesia

See results of SlimLipo Tummy Tuck below: