Ultrasonic assisted liposuction (UAL) is a liposuction method that also uses ultrasonic waves to liquify the fat before it is removed from the body. Ultrasonic liposuction can remove more fat safely than traditional liposuction.
In this procedure, ultrasonic waves are sent internally or externally through the fat to be removed. This breaks down the fat into liquid form making it easier to remove with liposuction.
There is less blood loss with this method of liposuction. This makes it safer to remove a greater amount of fat than is considered safe with liposuction alone.
Ultrasonic assisted liposuction can be used after a traditional liposuction to modify the results of the liposuction. Ultrasonic lipo also can be used as an alternative to a tummy tuck.
Liposuction is used to reduce the fat in areas of the body where fat deposits have not responded to diet and exercises. Ultrasonic assisted liposuction is often used for the inner knees, ankles, calves, under the chin, male chest, waist, thighs, hips, armpits, and upper arms.
General anesthesia is used which means the patient is basically asleep during the procedure. Medicated fluid containing an anesthetic and epinephrine is injected into the area where the fat is to be removed.
The local anesthetic in the solution helps to numb the area. Epinephrine is used to decrease bleeding which can be a complication of liposuction.
Before the liposuction procedure included the use of epinephrine, forty percent of what was removed from the body was blood. Now, blood is only less than four percent of what is removed.
The doctor inserts the suction tube, called a cannula, into the fat through a small incision. The incision can be smaller for ultrasonic liposuction than it is for traditional liposuction.
The ultrasonic sound waves are administered through the cannula. The ultrasonic waves liquefy the fat, making it easier for the fat to be vacuumed out of the body through the cannula. Laser liposuction is done in a similar procedure except a laser is used to liquefy fat rather than ultrasonic sound waves.
If the patient has lost a lot of blood during the surgery, the patient may receive a blood transfusion after the surgery. The patients can donate blood prior to surgery so that their own blood is used for the transfusion they receive.
The need for a blood transfusion is less with ultrasonic assisted liposuction than with traditional liposuction methods. The ultrasonic assisted liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure. The person wears a compression garment after surgery to help the healing process and reduce swelling.
Ultrasonic liposuction side effects include swelling, burns, scarring, bruising, tenderness, and blisters. Blood clots, numbness, allergic reactions to the medication or anesthesia, and fainting are other possible ultrasonic assisted liposuction side effects.
The buildup of excess fluid under the skin at the site of the liposuction is a potential complication of ultrasonic assisted liposuction. The fluid may need to be drained with a syringe.