Recently, many liposuction instruments have been fabricated by various companies and sold to Plastic Surgeons and even to physicians with no Plastic Surgery training whatsoever. These instruments are called by various trademarked names and marketed to physicians and the public. This has caused much confusion about liposuction, which technique should be used, and who is qualified to do liposuction. In this article I will discuss the procedure and attempt to alleviate some of this confusion. We will also discuss the names given to these instruments and their marketing.

Some of the names for the different liposuction instruments and techniques now available are: laser liposuction, vaser liposuction, smartlipo (smart liposuction), cool lipo, slimlipo, ultrasonic liposuction, and traditional tumescent liposuction. It is no wonder the public is confused. Most of these instruments accomplish the same thing, with minor variations. Unfortunately in today’s medical marketplace, non-surgeons are attempting to perform these procedures and much of the information given about how these techniques are superior to others is false. It is important to remember that these are real surgical procedures and should only be done be fully trained Plastic Surgeons. The most important aspect of your liposuction is the person doing it – this person should be a board certified Plastic Surgeon.

Laser liposuction uses a laser beam to help break up the fat cells before removing them with the liposuction instrument. This technique has been promoted to non-Plastic Surgeons as an “easier” way to do liposuction. Like other techniques, it does work and the fat removed is gone permanently. However. The laser beam produces heat and some patients have been burned by this technique. You must be sure you are in the hands of a fully trained Plastic Surgeon.

Smartlipo (smart lipo, or smart liposuction) is another form of laser liposuction. It’s name is trademarked by the company that makes the instrument and the rights to use it are sold to doctors. Again, many non-plastic surgeons have been sold this equipment and all the marketing materials that go with it. This is a legitimate technique in properly trained hands, but complications have of laser burns been reported.

Vaser liposuction ( vaserlipo ) uses ultrasonic energy to break up the fat cells before removing them with the liposuction instrument. This technique also works but the biggest disadvantage is that it requires a large, expensive machine. Slimlipo (slim lipo, slim liposuction ) is another laser liposuction that uses a slightly different wavelength of laser light. It is different enough that it can be trademarked.

Tumescent liposuction is the technique with over 20 years of safety data. This is the gold standard by which all other techniques are compared and is still the most commonly used type of liposuction. This is usually my preferred method due to its safety, permanent removal of fat cells, and no use of heat energy that could risk a burn. I have been doing liposuction for over fifteen years and I evaluate a new procedure based on its safety and if it allows me better results than traditional tumescent liposuction. To date, I have been very dissapointed with the results of these newer techniques as being only more of the same. The name is new and the marketing approach is aggressive and glitzy, but the end results are no better.

Again, the most important aspect of your liposuction is the person doing it. The name of the instrument is not nearly as important as the training of the Plastic Surgeon. We have a saying that deserves to be remembered. “Only a Pilot should fly an airplane and only a Plastic Surgeon should do Plastic Surgery.” If you would like further information, please visit my website at www.ohioplasticsurgeons.com. There you can ask me questions directly by email and I will personally and confidentially answer them. You may also call us at (614) 326-4661 with any other questions you may have.