Ultrasonic Liposuction
Carmel and Indianapolis, Indiana
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Ultrasonic liposuction is not a new procedure and has been around since 1987. Currently, there are two types of ultrasonic liposuction: internal and external. The term "ultrasonic" means high-pitched sound. The ultrasonic principle is to loosen the fat so that fat and/or oil can be vacuumed out of the body faster than it might with other methods. External ultrasonic liposuction is the preferred method amongst board-certified cosmetic surgeons today. Dr. Linderman of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana uses extremely small cannula, never larger than 4mm, which give him increased control of fat removal and require much smaller incisions.
View the liposuction photo gallery.
What is it?
In external ultrasonic liposuction, a vibrating hand piece is held on the outside of the skin of the areas that are going to be suctioned. Before the external ultrasound is applied, the areas are first pumped with fluid and are shaken by the sound and shock waves of the external ultrasonic liposuction device. The device is similar to the hand-held devices used to treat deeper tissues such as muscle and fibrous tissues in physical therapy treatments.
The key to ultrasonic liposuction is the introduction of an ultrasound attachment to the traditional liposuction cannula (probe). Thus, in UAL (ultrasound-assisted liposuction), the cannula acts as both the ultrasound probe and the suction probe. The ultrasonic waves are used to break up the fat and liquefy it into an emulsion. The result is that the fat becomes oil mixed in with the traditionally injected fluids. The use of ultrasound therefore reduces tissue damage and bleeding because no mechanical action is necessary to break up the fat. Plus, less suction is needed to pull out the fat when it is in a liquid state.
Original ultrasound liposuction pioneers in Europe used a two-stage process of ultrasound emulsification followed by suction. Today, highly trained cosmetic surgeons in the United States, like Dr. Linderman at Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Indiana, use the quicker one-stage technique with ultrasound and suction built into one cannula. Though this method is faster than a two-stage ultrasound technique, it is still slower than traditional liposuction.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction can treat problems that traditional methods cannot. Ultrasound can help break up tough fats in the face, neck, abdomen, back, buttocks, and calf. In areas like this, the tough and fibrous fat cannot be removed with traditional methods without great damage to the tissue. There's also the possibility that ultrasound liposuction can be used to break up cellulite.
To learn more about the various methods of liposuction and which one you'd be a good candidate for, please contact Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today to schedule your consultation. Dr. Linderman has been serving ultrasonic liposuction and cosmetic surgery patients in the Indianapolis area for almost three decades.
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Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
of Indiana
12188-A North Meridian St.
Carmel, IN 46032
toll free: 1-800-678-9909
phone: 317-848-5400
Naab Road Surgery Center
8260 Naab Road
Indianapolis, IN 46260