Lipotherme™
Lipotherme™ Laser Lipolysis
When it comes to losing fat in certain areas, all the dieting and exercise in the world is sometimes not enough. Factors including age, genetics and hormones may prevent you from achieving the body you desire. Lipotherme laser lipolysis is a minimally-invasive procedure with virtually no downtime. In addition to removing unwanted fat, the laser’s thermal effect causes the skin to tighten, resulting in firmer, smoother skin in the treated area. Although Lipotherme cannot completely replace traditional liposuction, it is a promising alternative for many plastic surgery patients looking to remove relatively small pockets of fat. Lipotherme requires only a local anesthetic and involves virtually no downtime for recovery.
Call us today to schedule a complimentary Lipotherme consultation or request an appointment here.
Before(top) and 6 months After(bottom) Lipotherme Laser Lipolysis to improve laxity and reduce fat in the abdomen. Photos courtesy of Advanced Dermatology.
Client Testimonial:
"I wanted a tummy tuck for 15 years to remove fat pockets around my C-section scar. I could not afford to take the time off until I learned about Lipotherme. The quick in-office procedure was done on Friday; I was walking the next day, and back to work on Monday! After a month my pants fit and looked better on me and I felt so much better about myself. I highly recommend this great alternative to reduce unwanted fat and tighten the skin with almost no downtime!” ~ Age 48
What is Lipotherme™ ?
Lipotherme is a safe, effective procedure that uses a laser (similar to those used in surgical procedures) to liquefy and remove unwanted fat in targeted body zones. In addition to removing unwanted fat, Lipotherme’s thermal effect causes the skin to contract, resulting in firmer, smoother skin that further enhances your body shaping goals.
The clinical term for this type of procedure is laser-assisted lipolysis (also called laser lipolysis or laser lipo for short) which is an evolution of traditional liposuction.
Lipotherme is used to treat localized fat deposits in the following areas:
• Abdomen
• Waist (love handles)
• Back (bra line)
• Thighs (inner and outer)
• Hips (saddle bags)
• Face (chin and cheeks)
• Neck
• Knees
• Arms (back of arms)
• Ankles
• Men's Breasts
Who is a candidate?
Upon arrival at the office a Patient History Questionnaire will be completed and reviewed by the physician to ensure that you are a candidate; this is for your health and safety. Also, a list of contra-indicated medications will be given for you to review. These medications may interfere with a good outcome for the procedure and will be addressed by the physician during your visit.
Women who are pregnant should not undergo Lipotherme.
What is Lipotherme™ like?
Your doctor will first administer a mild numbing agent to the targeted zone. Then a small metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin and a tiny laser beam is fired as the doctor moves the cannula back and forth. As the laser warms the fat cells, it creates a thermal effect. Fat cells, which are highly receptive to thermal energy, are liquefied. Next your doctor will aspirate (suction) the liquefied fat cells away.
How does Lipotherme™ work ?
Your doctor will first administer a mild numbing agent to the targeted body zone. Then a small metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin and a tiny laser beam is fired as the doctor moves the cannula back and forth. As the laser warms the fat cells, it creates a thermal effect. Fat cells, which are highly receptive to thermal energy, are liquefied and removed permanently. As an added benefit of Lipotherme, the heat produced during the treatment creates a skin tightening effect, thus helping create a more balanced skin texture.
What type of equipment is used?
Lipotherme™ Laser Lipolysis by Osyris
What desired results can be expected?
Lipotherme is the ideal body shaping tool for reducing localized fat deposits in areas that are resistant to exercise and diet. Lipotherme allows your doctor to selectively target unwanted fat deposits and eliminate them. You’ll see an overall circumference reduction in the targeted zone, as well as skin tightening in the treated area.
Typically, you’ll see dramatic improvement within 1 to 2 weeks after the treatment, but some areas such as the neck and jaw can show even faster results. Because healing and metabolism rates are different with everyone, results following a Lipotherme treatment usually require 12 to 16 weeks to become fully apparent and improvement continues to be seen for several months.
Laser-assisted lipolysis will NOT cause weight loss and is not a weight loss strategy.
Are there any negatives?
The risks of the procedure are dissatisfaction with the procedure, irregularity of the skin or soft tissue, scar from the areas where the cannula was inserted, skin burn from the laser and potential scar, infection, blood clot, induration of the skin or fat (thickening which is usually temporary), numbness, nerve damage, irregular heartbeat. A rigorous preoperative evaluation will be done including a physical exam by your primary care physician and tests will be performed to make sure you are healthy and are a good candidate for the procedure.
What happens after Lipotherme™ ?
Primarily, Lipotherme treatments are considered “one-time” treatments. In adults, fat cells cannot grow back once they’ve been removed. If you gain weight after having Lipotherme, the excess fat will accumulate in areas where you did not have the treatment. After the final results are achieved, if your physician is not satisfied with the results, a “touch-up” treatment may be performed.
Typically, you can resume normal activities the day after your treatment, however, it is recommended you wait several days before resuming strenuous activity such as exercising.
Is there another way to get the same effect?
Lipotherme and liposuction are both highly effective procedures for the removal of unwanted fat, however, Lipotherme laser lipolysis is a minimally-invasive procedure with virtually no downtime. Traditional liposuction is considered a highly-invasive procedure and may require several days or even weeks of down time. In addition, Lipotherme is excellent for treating certain areas that traditional liposuction cannot treat such as the bra line, under the chin, above the knees and ankles. Depending on your goals and physical condition, Lipotherme can be an alternative to traditional liposuction, or your doctor may recommend a combination therapy of Lipotherme with traditional liposuction.
How is this different than other procedures?
Lipotherme Laser Lipolysis combines tissue tightening with liposuction for focal treatment areas, therefore removing fat and tightening tissue at the same time. The result is immediate, with gradual tightening over a period of six months following the procedure. It combines the efforts of individual tissue tightening and liposuction procedures into one for more complete results, with minimal downtime.
Can this be combined with other treatments?
For greater results and to maintain correction, many patients are encouraged to have Thermage and/or VelaShape treatments after their Lipotherme procedure. The body continues to age over time, and in order to be preventive and correct new aging signs, these methods will effectively continue collagen production and prevent damage.
What is the cost of Lipotherme™ ?
The cost of these procedures is based on the area being treated. Please call Advanced Dermatology for a consultation and the Cosmetic Coordinator will develop a personalized treatment protocol with you.
