Laser liposuction as a surgical procedure was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007.  There are a few different wavelengths that the various laser treatment machines operate on.  The first one approved by the FDA operated at the 1064 wavelength – the same that targets red blood cells.  By using this wavelength any blood vessels encountered during the liposuction procedure are cauterized and bleeding is significantly reduced.  This helps to reduce both bruising and swelling due to fluid accumulation and blood loss.

The best candidates for laser liposuction are those patients who are less than twenty five pounds over their ideal weight and have fat deposits that have not responded to diet and exercise and are not happy with their current body image.  To have elective surgery performed the patient must have a positive mental outlook and want to participate in any way necessary to make the procedure a success.  Some things that can help you make the decision to use a laser technology for liposuction instead of regular liposuction are before and after photos of the procedures you are considering.  You can look for photos of people who are similar in size and skin coloring to see the results they got.  Keep in mind that results of the same procedure will differ from person to person and by how much fat you want removed during your surgery.

Smart Lipo is trademarked and is offered by many surgeons around the country.  You can go to their site and learn about the procedure and how it compares to traditional liposuction.  Smart Lipo uses the laser machine to heat the water in fat cells to basically melt the fat under the skin instead of using a surgical device (canula or microcannula) to remove the fat from the affected area.  The laser process promotes the growth of collagen and helps to smooth and tighten the skin in the treated area.  Smart Lipo took its name from smart liposuction.

The laser used in this procedure operates on the 1064 wave length and was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in 2007.  It has become a very popular alternative to regular liposuction as it takes less time, is less invasive and offers a much faster recovery and return to normal physical and social activities.  By using the laser and a tumescent procedure the tissues are not heated excessively and the fat can be suctioned with less pressure and less trauma to the surrounding tissues creating less bruising and subsequent swelling.  Costs of smart liposuction make it very competitive with standard liposuction and the ability to have it done in the surgeon’s office makes for less time away from home or work and a much faster recovery.

Most of these sites also have links to the physician that performed the particular surgery so you can check them out as well.  It is important to remember that every person is different and results will vary depending on how much fat you need to have removed and what the body part is that is being treated.  Several websites have an accumulation of liposuction before after photos and are sorted by city and state.  Doctors from each state are listed and you can go to the individual listing and check out their specialties and results from patients they have operated on.

Other liposuction before after photo sites have images sorted by procedure.  One I checked out has the following categories of before after photos:  Abdomen, Thighs, Arms, Back – Female, Buttocks, Outer Thighs, Inner Thighs, Ankles and Legs, Waist, Face and Neck, Breasts and more.  Using before and after photos are a great way to get an idea if you want to have a particular plastic surgery procedure done.  If you like the results on someone else you will probably like the results from a qualified doctor on your self.

Prices for liposuction will vary on the amount of fat to be removed (it takes more time to remove more fat), the number of areas to be treated and the specific body parts to be treated (some areas of the body are harder to treat – male backs for example).  Liposuction costs range from as little as $1000 for a small area of the face (neck, chin, jowls, etc.) to over $10,000 for several body areas to be treated.  If you have a specific area of the body that you want to price take a look on the internet and type in liposuction prices as a search.

Different parts of the country will have different prices as well.  You can use the prices in this article as a guideline, but you can not get an exact price until you have a consultation with a plastic surgeon about the specifics of the surgery you want done and the results you want to achieve.  Arms cost from $1500 to $5000 to treat; back $1500 to $4000; buttocks $1500 to $4000; hips, waist, outer thighs $1600 to $5000.   Use these prices for liposuction as a guideline to make sure you are getting the best price from your ASPS board certified surgeon of choice.

In most cases liposuction breast reduction results in very small scars due to the use of a microcannula that uses incisions of one millimeter in diameter versus an incision under the areolas.  This procedure also creates a better symmetry as the tissue can be sculpted in much smaller increments to create a more nature breast profile.  By reducing the fat in the breast area lift is also produced when the skin’s elasticity is relieved of the extra weight.  If need be micro surgery can be performed in tightening the supporting muscles under the breast tissue.

Liposuction breast reduction allows the patient to resume normal physical and social activities in as little as three days.  The ability to reduce breast size up to fifty percent also means that the patient can participate in many activities that were precluded by their breast size in the past.  Athletic activities are now possible; including running, weight training, aerobics, team sports and more.  Chronic back pain can be relieved and the extra stress on the shoulders is also removed.  The ability to wear off the rack clothing along with the choice of under garments that do not have to be special ordered is another benefit after surgery.

Below I will give you the average laser liposuction cost for several popular treatments.

• Upper Abdomen – $4500
• Lower Abdomen – $3500
• Back, Female – $2500
• Back, Male – $3000 cost is higher due to fibrous nature of musculature
• Buttocks – $3000
• Chin, Face, Neck – $2500
• Hips – $2500
• Male Breast – $5000
• Knees – $4000
• Thighs – $2500

The other cost method mentioned is being charged by the number of areas to be treated and the average laser liposuction cost for one are is $4000 and $2000 for each additional area to be treated.  Other factors that may affect your total cost are facility fees, anesthetic and anesthesiologist fees, compression garments and after surgery care.  Make sure that you get all of the costs spelled out in a written estimate before signing any contract for financing the surgery.

Remember that finding the cheapest price is not always your best option especially when it comes to surgery.  A cheap price may mean you are using an inexperienced surgeon who can create unsightly lumps where the fat was removed in an uneven manner.  This can create even more cost as you get additional surgery to correct the mistakes of your “cheap” surgery.  Getting good results and a quick recovery should be your first thoughts not how much it costs.

Upper arm liposuction is a procedure that now can be performed with either the smart liposuction laser or a microcannula with similar results.  Most upper arm flab is a combination of skin, tissue AND fat and can not be treated by regular liposuction alone.  Newer treatments like laser liposuction are indicated as the process helps to eliminate the fat while tightening and strengthening the skin as well.  A microcannula is used and in conjunction with a laser helps to suction away the melted fat.  The skin around the circular incision can then be tightened by laser to further reduce the chance of scarring.

The upper arm liposuction procedure will last between one and two hours and only local anesthesia is used.  With a microcannula there is less trauma to the skin and less bruising and swelling as a result.  Your arms will feel as though you have been through a heavy workout and after four weeks this feeling should be gone.  You will need to wear a compression garment for four weeks as well to aid in healing and provide support for the arm area.  Good candidates for this surgery are no more than ten to fifteen pounds overweight and are in good general health.

The use of the Smart Liposuction machine produced by Cynosure only requires the completion of a single eight hour course to receive a license to use the machine.  By using ASPS certified physicians you can be assured of the best possible care and the optimal results from whatever surgical procedure you decide on even if it is non surgical liposuction?  Smart liposuction is more expensive than either surgical liposuction or liposculpture with a microcannula.  Much of the expense is from the purchase of the laser and the dexterity needed by the surgeon to achieve the desired results without going under the skin.

Just because it is called non surgical liposuction does not mean that there is no pain involved after the surgery.  Many people say that during the surgery it feels like a good massage, but then experience a great deal of pain wherever the laser was focused.  This is due to the change in tissue affected by the laser that liquefies the fat under the surface of the skin and the resulting drainage.  You may need additional massage after the surgery to facilitate the body’s drainage of the lasered fat.  The vast majority of people would prefer a non surgical procedure versus on that you would have to go completely under anesthesia to perform.  The best results for smart liposuction are in smaller areas.

The smart liposuction procedure is designed for those who have problems with anesthetic or are looking for reduction in areas that are notoriously hard to get with standard liposuction techniques like localized areas of fat that do not respond to standard treatments of diet and exercise.  Smart Liposuction cost will vary depending on how many areas you want treated and what additional services you require.

Smart Liposuction can remove up to 3500 cubic centimeters of fat in a single session and can be used on any part of the body as an alternative to standard liposuction that uses canula or microcannula surgical instruments.  Patients with diabetes, kidney ailments, heart conditions, autoimmune disorders and blood disorders can not have this procedure done.  The energy of the laser is concentrated on the areas of fat beneath the skin liquefying it and allowing it to drain away naturally.  This process also encourages the build up of collagen for tightening of the skin.  Pressure garments should be worn for two to six weeks after the procedure to aid in the healing process.  My research has shown the smart liposuction cost for single procedures starts at $2500 and goes to over $8000 with over 64% of people being completely satisfied with the results.

Depending on the significance of the breast size, breast liposuction may be covered under your health insurance if the patient’s breast size causes problems with posture and the back.  You will need to consult with your health plan administrator and your physician before any final decisions are made to see if the procedure will be covered in your case.

The microcannular used results in extremely small (one millimeter) round incisions that when healed are micro scars less than a millimeter in diameter.  Most of these scars will disappear within a few months time.  Another advantage to the use of breast liposuction versus regular breast reduction surgery is the fact that a local anesthetic can be used at the patient’s request which greatly reduces the chance of anesthesia reactions.  The smaller incisions are a smaller infection risk and the patient can return to normal activity in less than half the time of regular breast reduction patients.  The best candidates for breast liposuction are those patients with more fat than glandular tissue.  Women who are pre menopausal (menopause increases the glandular tissue), women who are not thin, women who do not have excessively large breast, women who do not have pendulous breasts and women who do not have dense breast tissue are the best candidates for liposuction of the breasts.

Each part of the body is subject to different liposuction side effects due to the different types of fat and how they need to be removed.  For example, fat being removed from the abdominal area is usually more fibrous and takes longer per cubic centimeter to be suctioned and this creates more stress on the area.  Most side effects are minor and rarely become serious enough to make a difference in your decision for liposuction.  During your initial consultation with the surgeon you will be asked a series of questions about your medical history, prescriptions, over the counter medications and past surgeries.  All of this factors into what kinds of plastic surgery you can have right now.

You will also be warned of all of the possible side effects and complications that can arise from any form of plastic surgery on any area of your body.  Some of these liposuction side effects are dangers of infection (any surgery has this possibility), bruising and scarring, blood clotting, fluid loss and reactions to the anesthesia.

How do you find out if you are a good candidate for double chin liposuction?  When working out and dieting to lose weight many people find out that it is next to impossible to completely reduce the amount of fat in the facial area overall and if you do lose a great deal of weight there is often a great deal of excess skin in the area as well.  Double chin can affect people who are not overweight or have never been overweight.  Many people have tried various exercise methods that have claimed to help reduce the fat and skin from that specific area with little or no results.

In the past, the primary method to remove a double chin was through face lifts or chin tucks.  With the improvement of microcannular techniques the same effect can be had through double chin liposuction.  The canula, or tubular surgical instrument, has been reduced in size for this procedure and as a result the incisions are much smaller.  In some cases, the incisions do not leave any scars at all.  These new procedures are more popular and actually create less stress with the patient and doctor as they are quicker and have a much faster recovery time.  Patients can return to normal activity in three to seven days versus the two to three weeks under standard face lift or chin tuck surgery.

Many guys who decide on liposuction for men are looking to have hard to reduce areas like love handles and “man boobs” reduced and restored.  Have you dieted and exercised to the point of exhaustion and still can not see your abdominal muscles?   As stated before, liposuction has not been a major procedure that men have sought out.  Recently the trend has increased and now men comprise about fifteen percent of all liposuction patients.

Gynecomastia, or man boobs, has been a condition that more plastic surgeons are seeing and as long as the condition is caused by the build up of fatty tissues and not glandular in nature then liposuction for men is indicated.  In these cases many times the incisions are so small that there is no scarring and recovery time is really fast.  The other areas that men look to plastic surgery to help are the face area – neck, jowls and chin along with the abdominal area – stomach and love handles.  The cost for male liposuction is generally a bit higher than for women in the same body area because male fatty tissue is more fibrous and harder to remove.

General rule of thumb is that general the cost of liposuction is between $2000 and $3000 depending on how much fat needs to be removed and whether local or general anesthetic is needed.  I will list several liposuction procedures and the current price ranges.

• Lower Abdomen – $2000
• Upper and Lower Abdomen – $3000 to $7500
• Arms – $1500 to $5000
• Back – Female – $1500 to $4000
• Breasts – Female – $3000 to $7500
• Breasts – Male – $3000 to $5000
• Buttocks – $1500 to $4500
• Cheeks, Jowls, Neck – $2000 to $4500
• Hips and Waist – $1600 to $5000
• Outer Thighs – $1600 to $5000
• Inside Legs – $2000 to $5000
• Outside Legs – $2000 to $5000

All of these procedures are under general anesthesia.  If you are looking for a mini procedure or only liposculpture or the removal of minimal fat deposits your cost of liposuction will be less.  For the less invasive procedure you also get the benefit of a lower chance of scarring and infection along with a faster recovery and return to normal activity levels.

Tummy tuck surgery involves the removal of excess skin, fat and sometimes the restoration of weakened or separated muscles in the abdominal area.  The key to a successful tummy tuck is the initial consultation.  During your initial consultation you will be asked a series of questions designed to determine your exact needs for surgery.  You will need to be completely candid during the interview to have the best experience possible and the best results.  You will be asked about drug allergies, your current medical condition and any previous medical procedures.  Previous plastic surgery can affect current plastic surgery plans.  You will also need to give a list of any current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements as well as any tobacco, alcohol or other drug use.

In addition to giving you the benefits of having tummy tuck surgery your ASPS surgeon will also detail the possible risks for the surgery procedure.  Some of those risks include, but are not limited to bleeding, scarring, fluid build up, blood clots, skin loss, skin discoloration, anesthesia related complications, numbness, swelling in the legs, asymmetry after the surgery, nerve damage or a result less than you expect.   Weigh the possible risks with the expected benefits and make the best decision for your situation.

Whether or not you are a candidate for a mini tummy tuck liposuction is the actual amount of fat in the area as well as your current muscle tone.  If the muscle tone is good and there is not too much fat then the procedure is probably OK.  If you are obese and have a great deal of fat and skin to remove you will need to under go a more invasive procedure and you may even need to have staged procedures to reduce your fat levels in steps to reduce the trauma to the surrounding nerve and connective tissues.  A mini tummy tuck is recommended for small amounts of skin on the front of the abdomen to be removed and create a smoother appearance.

Generally a mini tummy tuck liposuction will involve an incision or incisions to remove a small amount of skin and a small amount of fat will be removed via liposuction.  If the muscles in the abdomen need to be tightened a bit then this can be done at the same time.  This way there is only one incision site and less chance of infection or further internal complications occurring.  Pricing for these procedures is generally less than a full blown tummy tuck or large liposuction, but you will need to have a consultation with a plastic surgeon to find out just what is involved and what the various options will cost.

Using this liposuction before and after photos site as a guide to educating yourself on the various procedures and what they look like after the surgery is performed can help you make an informed decision on whether to get tummy tuck surgery, liposuction or the less invasive liposculpture procedure.  The locate a doc site is a great web site to find a plastic surgeon in your area to help you with those problem areas that exercise and diet have not been able to affect.  Perhaps you have problems with the stomach and thigh areas after a pregnancy or you are a middle aged man with issues in the abdomen and love handle areas.

Find the liposuction before and action photos of people with similar build and age as your self to help you see which procedure might be best for your condition.  The entries list whether the patient is male or female, age, skin tone and the amount of fat removed in many cases.  One patient described as 43 and female had liposuction of over 4300 cc of fat from her abdomen, thighs and buttocks and the after picture is a full year after the procedure and the new smoother contour is readily evident in the photos.