Does nonsurgical fat removal work?

Each year, over 150,000 people get nonsurgical fat removal performed – and not just women. Nearly 30,000 of those fat removal patients are men. Nonsurgical fat removal is a less invasive alternative to "regular" liposuction, but does it work? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no.

How does it compare to regular liposuction?

Nonsurgical fat removal is also often called "nonsurgical" liposuction, but really, it isn't liposuction at all. Traditional liposuction is a surgical procedure, involving small incisions in which a tube is inserted into a fatty area. The fat is then "sucked out" through the tube, resulting in the permanent removal of those fat cells. Liposuction can be used on large areas where there are significant fat deposits and may be effective after just one procedure. Since liposuction is a surgery, there is some recovery time with swelling, pain and a risk of infection.

Nonsurgical liposuction can be one of a number of procedures which use lasers, heat, cooling or sound waves to "destroy" fat cells which will the be removed from the body as metabolic products. Nonsurgical liposuction generally has less-to-no recovery time as surgical liposuction but it isn't effective on large areas of fat. Its use should be limited to small, stubborn areas that remain after an adequate diet and exercise program or to patients who cannot undergo surgery. In order to be fully effective, multiple treatments may be required.

Types of nonsurgical fat reduction

Nonsurgical fat removal is done in the plastic surgeon's clinic, using one of a number of proprietary or "brand name" procedures. Brand names like Exilis, i-Lipo, Liposonix and Zeltiq or CoolSculpting, each uses a different type of treatment which may be laser- or light-assisted, cryo or freezing therapy, or sound through ultrasound or radiofrequency. Each type works to destroy the cell membranes surrounding fat cells which over time, may appear to "melt" the fat away.

Pros and cons of nonsurgical fat reduction

Pros: Nonsurgical fat reduction is just what it says, nonsurgical. There are no incisions done which means a noninvasive procedure with less recovery time required, less swelling and pain and a greatly reduced chance of post-procedure complications such as infection. It doesn't usually require a lot of pre-procedure preparation and can often be done during the day with a quick return to normal activities.

Cons: The actual fat reduction takes place over the course of weeks or months and several treatments may be required. Because nonsurgical liposuction is an external treatment, it can be more difficult to target the fat in question. The surgeon may not be able to optimally address the fat in difficult areas or in patients with a good deal of scar tissue. Targeting may also be tricky as the physician cannot immediately "see" where fat destruction has been effective and must wait for additional treatment periods to refine the effects. Nonsurgical fat reduction does not produce immediately dramatic results and is not effective in people who need large sections of fat removed.

The bottom line on nonsurgical fat reduction

Liposuction, under expert guidance, is highly effective, more accurate and can be used in a variety of conditions. Newer ultrasound-assisted procedures have enabled plastic surgeons to be highly accurate in fat removal with a minimum of post-surgical complications. In general, liposuction is considered to be much more effective, but nonsurgical fat removal can be a good alternative for those who simply need a little additional help for some stubborn spots – or can be the only alternative if surgery is not possible. So, yes, nonsurgical fat removal works for the right patient but it does not compare to traditional liposuction. Noninvasive alternatives to fat removal, of course, bring limited results, so it's important to discuss with your surgeon what the true body contour changes will be, as opposed to expectations from ads. In the end, the search for the Holy Grail of noninvasive body sculpting continues!

Article by: Rod Rohrich, MD, FACS | Dallas, TX Friday, December 15, 2017

https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/does-nonsurgical-fat-removal-work

12 Helpful Tips for the Significant Other During Breast Augmentation

Breast Augmentation Recovery

 

12 Helpful Tips for the Significant Other During Breast Augmentation 

First and foremost, be emotionally prepared to be the caregiver. Your partner will soon be in a position she is not used to, with a level of helplessness that she likely will not enjoy or be used to. She will not have control over her recovery period so you both will have to respond to it, because it’s pretty much in charge of your life for at least a few weeks. Preparation is key so the more prepared you are ahead of time, the better.

1. Ice and Ice Packs

Small freezable gel packs. LAY THE PACKS FLAT TO RE-FREEZE THEM. Rock hard distorted gelpacks can dig into the sides of her hard breasts so severely that they can be too painful to use. better yet, keep the gel packs in the coldest part of your fridge instead of the freezer for a nice cooling gel.  Remember, she is likely to be numb so keep anything frozen on for only 20 minutes at a time.

2. Toilet Lids

Just for the recovery period, leave the toliet lid up and the seat down,  Do not put the top cover down. It is very painful to bend forward for any reason so have that toilet ready for her so she doesn’t have to deal with the lid or seat. She will thank you!

3. Phone Calls

Each time the phone rings, ask in advance if she wants the phone brought to her or if she wants messages taken. Holding a phone to your ear requires a surprising amount of pectoral strength, which she will not have. The person on the other end of the line is not likely going to be thinking of that.

4. Position Changes and Light Headedness

Be aware that light-headedness can happen for a while, especially if your partner is nauseous. Once she manages to stand up, be sure you remind her to take deep breaths to be sure she does not aggravate the light-headedness with oxygen deprivation. Don’t let her try stairs without being close by in case she becomes faint. Be prepared to support her body if she gets weak, as reaching for her hand will be useless. Watch for this especially when she takes her first shower and don't let her do it alone.

5. Beds

If you have a recliner chair, line it with a mattress pad and use single sheets to make it up for the first few days of sleep. Don’t forget that if it has one of those handles to bring up the feet, once your partner is in it, she won’t be able to reach the bar to get herself out. Encourage her to get her lower back right into the lower back of the chair, to avoid pain over the few days and add a small extra pillow there if there isn’t excellent lumbar support. Sleep close by. Use light weight blankets, as ANY weight on your breasts is uncomfortable when lying on your back.  If she does want to sleep in her bed, make sure she has pillows to sleep inclined and an extra to put under her knees.

6. Memory

Your partner may ask for you to remind her of things, go over things, or remember things that have been said to you both. She may not recall the order things happened or specific instructions so be prepared to be in charge of the details.

7. Food

Do be prepared for nausea and then consider yourself very lucky if she does not have it. Plain crackers, a few bowls of Jell-O, some meal replacement drinks, can go a long way if she gets sick. Don’t cook strong smelling meals for yourself if she is nauseous.  Make sure she eats when she takes her medications and it should help curb future nausea.

8. Flowers

A few fresh flowers by her bed help bring the outside world in for those few days of imprisonment (unless scents are making her nauseous).

9. What to Say

This is personal of course, but when you are bruised, swollen, and dishevelled, a compliment goes a VERY long way. Be sure you offer a great deal of quiet sincere encouragement and remind your partner that her new breasts are beautiful to you )even though they won't be at first). NO CRITICISM of anything about her.

10. Ups and Downs

Recovery might be a cinch, but I think for most of us, it’s an up and down process. Remember that most of us keep hoping…”Okay, THAT was the worst part and now it’s over”… and if you have some rough hours or a rough day AFTER that, it can be discouraging. It’s not a straight linear recovery climb, its two steps forward and sometimes one or even two back. “I promise you will feel better soon” is probably a fair statement, and “What can I do to help you?” are sweet words. If she has any ongoing concerns, call the doctor for her and get answers quickly. You don’t want her worrying about whether anything is normal or not. Brush her hair and sooth her any way you can.

11. All Better! – NOT

Don’t let her get going too fast once she feels better. Celebrate all the recovery steps but make sure she keeps resting and only adds small jobs at a time to her process of getting back to normal life demands.  Even when she feels like she is better, make sure she follows the doctor's strict orders when it comes to lifting.


Happy surgery!




Reference: http://www.implantinfo.com/faqs/1.56.aspx

Botox in Your 20s, The Dirty Details

I’ve asked a veteran Botox user to answer questions on the clearly controversial topic of getting Botox in your twenties. Here are the dirty details…

How can I tell if I need Botox?

I wouldn’t say I really needed it at that age but that was the age I was beginning to become concerned with wrinkles appearing.

When did you start getting Botox?

26.

Why did you get Botox so young?

At 26, it was purely for preventative reasons.  I was noticing lines across my forehead and I didn’t want them to get worse. Getting Botox made it physically impossible to wrinkle my forehead, so that stopped them from getting deeper.

How often do you get Botox treatment?

Every four months, so three times each year.

Do I need a consultation first?

You should definitely be able to speak with the doctor about anti-aging options and let the doctor help decide if Botox is right for you. If the clinic won't accept consultation appointments, find a different clinic.

How much does Botox cost?

Depends on how much you get.  I used to only get my forehead done and it was about $250. You need to call around.  Most places charge by the “unit,” so you might pay $15 per unit and get 20 units of Botox, which would cost $300. Some places sell units for $10 each. At other places, it goes much higher. It also matters if you have an actual plastic surgeon performing your treatment or just a nurse. I only get treatment from a board certified plastic surgeon.

How many Botox units do you use?

I used to get 20 units, but I love it so much now I get more.  To do my complete forehead, bunny lines, crow’s feet, and a tad under my eyes I would use about 60 units.  I even have a small area around my mouth done too, but you definitely want to go with someone experienced for that.

How long does the process take?

About 20 minutes, but the actual injections take only a couple minutes.

Do the Botox injections hurt?

It doesn’t bother me at all, but I do think it’s much harder for someone scared of needles.  Just visualize yourself with smooth, wrinkle-free skin and I think it’s a small price to pay.

Do you see the results from Botox treatment right away?

No. It usually takes a few days for the Botox to take effect.  I see the result faster now than when I first started. I think it has something to do with the muscles actually being weaker now that I’ve been using it for a while. I’ve also started taking a supplement that makes the Botox kick in faster (I see the result by the next day) and it lasts up to 30% longer.  When I take the supplement right before treatment my results last about 5 months instead of 3-4.  So while I get more units now, I justify the savings with how much longer it is lasting!

Will I get bruises from Botox?

The only place I have ever bruised is right in the corner of my eye when treating my crow’s feet.  It is a really light bruise, like a small dot that’s really easy to cover with make-up.  

How do I find a good doctor to perform Botox?

Never go to a sketchy Botox place. (There are tons of them.) I wouldn’t go somewhere that was too cheap.  There is such thing as fake Botox. Fake Botox generally refers to Botox that is not sold in the US from Allergan.  I’ve heard of some places buying cheaper Canadian products, or worse – from countries other than that.  There are other brands (Xeomin and Dysport) that should not be confused with fake Botox. I have used Xeomin and Dysport with the same results.


If you are interested in speaking to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about Botox, call us today at 281-317-8179 or schedule your consultation online.