Ultrasonic liposuction is the subject of much debate. It was first introduced into the United States in the late twentieth century and people are still working to make it one hundred percent safe. In spite of problems with equipment, there are some liposuction surgeons who are using it as a regular method of removing fat from the body. Here are the pros and cons of this kind of surgery and how it works.
How It Works:
This type of surgery works by inserting a cannula that is both an ultrasound probe and a suction probe. The cannula emits ultrasonic waves that, when used on fat cells break up those cells and turn them into liquid emulsion oil. This oil mixes with the fluids that are traditionally injected into an adipose area and are suctioned out with the suction portion of the cannula. This requires less suction than other types of adipose tissue removal. The original form of this surgery was done in two parts-first the liquefying of the fat cells and then the suction, but surgeons in the United States have been working to perfect the one step technique with the single cannula. While it is, in fact, faster than the two step technique, it is slower than the traditional methods for this surgery.
Its Benefits:
Many surgeons sing the benefits of this type of adipose tissue removal. By liquefying the fat cells, the fat is then easier to suction out. The sound waves also reduce the bleeding and tissue damage that usually accompanies it because this kind of surgery does not require any kind of mechanical removal of the fat cells. They simply melt by themselves.
Risks
There is a higher risk of nerve damage and of burning to patience because the disturbance is high energy, which causes high friction within that part of the body. The incisions are often larger than those used for other methods of this kind of plastic surgery and a sort of skin shield is required to keep the skin from being burned by the probe. The first two "generations" of equipment had many very dangerous side effects that didn't start to show themselves until their use was widespread. These side effects included damage to other internal organs by the waves (kidneys and gallbladders have been perforated).
Other Risks Involved
Other risks of this kind of plastic surgery include blood clots due to the elevation of blood vessels temperature from exposure to the probe. Some people have had injuries to their peripheral nerves. Sensory nerves experienced longer periods of numbness in the arms, neck, face and legs. This type of fat removal also causes Seromas (a fluid filled cavity that contains serum that develops underneath the skin) that will last for weeks or even months, which will slow the recovery from the surgery.
Ultrasonic Liposuction is, absolutely, a dangerous procedure. It is also more costly than traditional forms of this surgery and, until it is perfected, it probably not worth the risk, especially when there are other proven (and cheaper) methods available that achieve the same end result.
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