The abdominal area is one of the most popular areas to have the liposuction procedure done. This is because it is the most difficult area to lose weight in, especially for women after having a baby or people who experience weight loss. However, everyone can struggle with losing inches from their midsection. The Center for SmartLipo and Plastic Surgery offers abdominal liposuction in Philadelphia, PA for those who wish for a slimmer appearance. We utilize the SmartLipo™ fat removal procedure to remove fat in the abdomen and contour it.
Not all Fat is Created Equal
Not all fat is created equal and it is important to discuss this when talking about the limitation of abdominal liposuction. Patients must understand there are two different kinds of fat in the stomach region of the body: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat.
- Subcutaneous Fat: this is the layer of fat located right beneath the skin. It is most visible and most accessible. This is the type of fat that we can remove with abdominal liposuction.
- Visceral Fat: this is the layer of fat that is stored deep within the abdominal cavity and surrounds the internal organs such as the liver and intestines. It is not accessible and can only be handled with proper diet and exercise.
Which Type of Fat does Laser Abdominal Liposuction Remove?
Laser lipo is primarily effective in removing subcutaneous fat. This is the layer of fat that creates the bulges, love handles, and makes people feel self-conscious about themselves. Laser lipo cannot directly target visceral fat because it is inside of the abdominal cavity.
Benefits of Laser Abdominal Liposuction
Laser liposuction is a technique that uses laser energy to liquefy the targeted fat deposits. When used on the abdomen, laser lipo provides several key benefits for the patient:
- More precise: The SmartLipo™ laser lipo allows the surgeon to precisely target specific pockets of fat deposits. This will allow for greater accuracy during the procedure. Your surgeon can achieve more refined results while performing your liposuction abdominal.
- Tightens skin: The laser energy used in laser liposuction has the added benefit of stimulating collagen production. This will result in the abdominal skin tightening. People with mild to moderate skin laxity will benefit from this.
- Faster recovery: Since laser lipo is much less invasive, it allows for a faster recovery. You will receive a smaller incision that will require fewer sutures. This results in less trauma to the surrounding tissue. You will experience less swelling, minimal scarring, and a shorter recovery period.
Tummy Tuck vs. Laser Abdominal Liposuction
A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes of excess skin and fat from the abdomen while also tightening the underlying muscles. The difference between this procedure and laser liposuction on abdomen is that your doctor will physically cut skin, fat, and tissue and remove it from the body. Laser lipo simply involves melting fat away.
A tummy tuck will allow you tighten your abdominal muscles which will help contribute to a firmer and flatter midsection. It will also remove excess skin. This is a huge benefit for those who have significant skin laxity. However, this surgery leaves behind a large scar and requires a long recovery.
Laser abdominal liposuction will have minimal scarring since the incisions that are required are very small. Most scars will fade over time and patients hardly notice them. It is also much less invasive. This results in a faster recovery and less downtime from your everyday life.
However, laser abdominal liposuction does have limited skin tightening abilities. While it will tighten skin, it only does it to a certain extent. It is much less effective at tightening skin compared to a tummy tuck. It also cannot address muscle separation and cannot tighten the abdominal muscles.
Dr. Durvi Patel would be happy to discuss the abdominal liposuction in Philadelphia, PA during a consultation. You can schedule one today by contacting Center for SmartLipo and Plastic Surgery.