What Are the Advantages of UAL?

Early data indicates that, while UAL is not a substitute for traditional liposuction, there may be benefits, including decreased post-operative swelling and bruising. Some physicians believe UAL allows better control of contour or shape of the body in the areas treated with liposuction and early experience has shown minimal problems with post-operative contour irregularity. It allows relatively large volumes of fat removal per operation with relatively little blood loss and minimal post-operative bruising. UAL is also physically less demanding from a surgical standpoint. Certain anatomic regions, such as the hip, posterior back and central body regions, may respond preferentially to UAL. However, at present, traditional liposuction remains the best method of removing fat from certain body areas such as the face, neck, knees and inner thighs. In fact, traditional liposuction may be required in addition to UAL in many cases.

Are There any Possible Complications Associated With UAL?

As with any surgical procedure there are possible risks and complications. The risks and possible complications of UAL are essentially the same as with traditional liposuction techniques. Bleeding and infection are very rare with either technique (a good estimate would be less than 1 percent of cases have either of these problems.) Contour irregularity (or unevenness of the body contour) is possible with either technique. With any large amount of liposuction there is the possibility of accumulation of fluid in an area that was suctioned. This is called a seroma and is easily treated by drawing off the fluid in an office setting. Overaggressive liposuction by any technique, especially when carried out very close to the skin, can compromise the blood supply to the overlying skin. This could lead to loss or scarring of the skin. There is also the potential for burns at the entry site or along the path of the probe. This problem should be extremely rare.

What Kind of Anesthesia Is Used for UAL?

UAL can be performed using a number of different kinds of anesthesia, just the same as with traditional liposuction techniques. It can be done under a general anesthetic in which the patient is completely asleep. It can also be done under an epidural anesthesia, which is commonly used when a baby is delivered. Or it can be done under local anesthesia. With local and epidural anesthesia the patient is awake but is usually given some sort of sedative to keep him or her comfortable and relaxed. The question of what kind of anesthesia is appropriate for you should be discussed with your surgeon or anesthesiologist.

How Much Does This Procedure Cost?

The cost of the procedure will vary depending on the surgeon and in some cases the geographical area. In general, the more areas of your body that you have suctioned the more it costs. This question also must be discussed with your surgeon. Once you and your plastic surgeon have discussed which areas you might like addressed and which areas he/she feels are appropriate for this procedure, the cost can be accurately estimated.

What Can I Expect During the Post-Operative Period?

The answer to this question depends largely on what areas and how much fat you have suctioned. In general, the more aggressive the removal and the more areas you have suctioned, the more "strict" the post-operative regimen. In general, you can expect some discomfort during the first week or so. Most people describe it as discomfort rather than actual pain. Many say it feels like a deep bruise. The skin over the areas suctioned is often numb for a variable length of time. Most surgeons require you to wear some kind of post-operative compression garment such as a girdle or an abdominal binder. This is used to compress the tissues to lessen swelling and bleeding. The type of garment you will wear will depend on your surgeon's personal protocol and which areas you have suctioned. Most surgeons have you wear this for anywhere from two to six weeks after surgery.

Can I Gain the Weight Back?

Yes, you can regain weight after any kind of liposuction. You have a set number of fat cells as an adult and liposuction simply removes a certain number of them. If you gain weight, the remaining fat cells can grow bigger, which is how we gain weight. The good news is that there are fewer fat cells remaining in the area of the body that was suctioned and the "weight" tends to distribute itself more evenly in harmony with your new body contour. All in all, liposuction is not the answer to weight control, rather it is a surgical method of contouring the body. It is always best to be at a stable and realistic weight when you undergo this procedure.

Laser resurfacing, also known as laser dermabrasion, is a technique for smoothing fine wrinkles of the skin. Various types of lasers, made up of energetic beams of focused light, can be applied to the skin in short pulses to remove irregular contours, discolored areas, tattoos or blood vessels.

How Do Lasers Work?

They work by bouncing a beam of light back and forth between optical mirrors and lenses, amplifying the strength with each cycle. When the beam is powerful enough it is released, almost as if opening a gate, in a short pulse of energy. This burst of energy causes a carefully controlled burn. The color and energy of the light depends upon what type of material is being stimulated. Each laser can be tuned, much like a musical instrument. Many materials can be used, such as carbon dioxide, ruby crystals and argon, which is a gas similar to what is used in florescent lights.

I've Heard of all Different Kinds of Lasers With Fancy Names; What Are the Various Types and What Do They Do?

The CO2 laser is used for sun damaged, aging, wrinkled or scarred skin. It may also be used as a cutting instrument or, on very high power, to remove moles and skin cancers. This is the one that has received so much attention on television and in magazines for reversing the effects of aging.

The Q switched Nd: YAG laser is used for tattoos and pigmented lesions, such as moles or freckles.

The flashlamp pulsed dye laser is used for vascular lesions, such as spider veins.

What Are the Alternatives to Laser Treatment?

Chemical peels with glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid and phenol have been successfully used for many years to selectively smooth the outer layers of skin. Mechanically sanding down the skin, known as dermabrasion has been used just as long.

I've Heard That Laser Treatment Is far Superior and Doesn't Ever Leave any Redness of the Skin or Scarring. Is This True?

The depth of the laser burn is probably more predictable than that of chemical peels or dermabrasion. The laser strength and exposure time to the skin can be precisely controlled. However, the body's tissue reaction to the laser cannot always be predicted for a particular patient. Erythema, redness or scarring can last from several weeks to a couple of months regardless of the method used. On rare occasions scarring can be permanent.

Who Is a Candidate for Laser Treatment?

Anyone who has an irregular area of skin, whether due to contour, wrinkles, color, blood vessels or scars, may be a good candidate.

Is Laser a Substitute for a Face Lift or Surgery for Baggy Eyelids?

No. Lasers do firm up the skin and increase skin tone, but they are not capable of eliminating skin that has lost its elasticity. Once the skin truly sags instead of simply wrinkles, surgery is required to correct the undesirable cosmetic appearance.

Does Laser Resurfacing Correct Wrinkling in the Neck?

Unfortunately, early studies do not show a good result in the neck.