What makes non-surgical fat reduction so appealing?
An article recently appeared on the website of New York Magazine that chronicled one woman’s experiences in search of a slimmer silhouette. She tried out a couple of non-surgical fat reduction treatments and reported back with mixed results. Her account and the rising popularity of these procedures nationwide has me thinking about what makes them so appealing. On some levels, the allure is pretty clear. A lot of people would like flatter abdomens and shapelier legs but aren’t so keen on the idea of undergoing surgery and taking time off to recover.
What many people don’t realize, though, is that surgery isn’t as invasive as it once was. These days, I use quicker, gentler liposuction techniques at my Englewood, N.J. practice, such as HydraSolve®. Many of my patients are surprised to learn that, in the hands of an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, the downtime following these surgeries is minimal and comfortable, and the results can be far more impressive than with non-surgical techniques.
The author of the first-person account admitted being leery of liposuction even though it is, as she wrote, “the gold standard for getting rid of unwanted fat deposits.”
She described the process for 2 treatments she underwent, which included using laser and ultrasound energy to melt fat cells without surgery. She gave the treatments a lukewarm endorsement, concluding they were “good for tweaking” after seeing minor fat reduction on her thighs and abdomen. My patients have more glowing reviews for CoolSculpting®, another non-invasive fat reduction procedure that uses cold to destroy fat cells. It can achieve an impressive 20% to 25% fat reduction in a given area.
Will non-surgical results be as extensive as liposuction?
Even CoolSculpting, however, won’t get results as extensive as liposuction. I offer various types of liposuction, including HydraSolve, which are less invasive than traditional tumescent liposuction. HydraSolve uses a low-pressure stream of a warm saline solution to liquefy fat without the cutting that damages surrounding blood vessels and connective tissues.
Although non-surgical methods will never be able to provide results as extensive as surgery, they are still a good choice for certain patients. How can patients decide whether they are candidates for non-surgical fat reduction or liposuction? Or what type of liposuction might be best suited for them? There’s really no substitute for consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon with expertise in both liposuction and non-surgical treatments to get the best advice.
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