Laser Liposuction – Understanding How it Works
Laser liposuction, otherwise known as laser lipolysis, laser-assisted lipolysis or Smartlipo, is a new method of liposuction using laser technology. In traditional liposuction, significant force to disrupt the tissue that holds the fat together is needed to free it up. Almost everyone has seen on TV or videos of how the procedure is performed and few would doubt that the traditional approach is fairly traumatic. Effective, but traumatic. With Smartlipo, the required mechanical force is reduced by the heating or melting of the fat.
Fat is a unique tissue in that it is really globs of lipid (triglycerides) surrounded and encased in strands of connective tissue. To no surprise, fat has a fair amount of water in it which is very relevant in laser liposuction but largely unimportant in traditional liposuction. Fat is roughly 25% water. Running through the fat are small blood vessels and lymphatic channels. Some fat areas have globules that are quite big (’buttery fat”) and other fat areas have smaller globules with a lot of connective tissue. (’gritty fat’) Gritty fat, such as in the upper abdomen or back, takes a lot more force to break it up and be suctioned out.