By: John Sampson, MD
I’ve been asked if I have a “favorite” liposuction technique for specific areas of the body, and today I want to share two of my favorite approaches for dealing with “belly flab.”
Why This Area is Different:
The lower (and even the upper) abdomen can be one of the easier areas in the body for fat removal, since adipose tissue here tends to rest in a dense patch without a lot of other tissue intruding. However, in some cases, this area can be a bit challenging because:
1. Without techniques to help keep the procedure as gentle as possible, the repeated movement of the liposuction wand can bruise surrounding tissues
2. Fat removal can result in loose, sagging skin that will not tighten after the procedure
My Favorite Techniques:
Here are some methods I personally use to address the challenges of abdominal liposuction in Michigan:
1. Loosen or “melt” fat for gentler removal – These days, most liposuction surgeons loosen fat before surgery by infusing the treatment area with some kind of sterile saltwater and anesthetic solution. Technologically advanced methods can also make this process faster and gentler by “melting” or “breaking down” fat cells using laser energy or ultrasonic waves.
My personal favorite: Smartlipo™ laser liposuction, because it makes fat removal much easier.
2. Stimulate skin contraction using heat – No matter which technique you use, skin contraction won’t happen immediately, but a few techniques can stimulate the skin and provide some tightening.
My personal favorites: Ultrasonic and Smartlipo liposuction, depending on the patient.
My Advice: I like Smartlipo particularly for belly fat, but, for certain patients, ultrasonic or tumescent liposuction will be a better fit. When you talk to your plastic surgeon, he or she may recommend a different approach, but be sure to find out how that technique will deal with bruising and skin tightening.