Liposuction, a body contouring procedure used to eliminate stubborn subcutaneous fat, has been touted as one of the best ways of reducing love handles and other fat pockets that persist despite a healthy lifestyle. Today, there is a trend toward nonsurgical alternatives to liposuction, which often boast a lower price tag for comparable results. But can nonsurgical liposuction really deliver?
New Methods of Fat Reduction
Nonsurgical liposuction alternatives use new methods to reduce fat cells. Whereas liposuction physically removes fat cells from the body through a suction device called a cannula, nonsurgical alternatives use methods such as freezing or heating fat cells, which are then purportedly dissolved through the body’s natural elimination system. While in theory these methods can destroy fat cells, because they are relatively new, they tend to be less reliable than the real thing.
Multiple Treatments Are Usually Required
Most nonsurgical alternatives to liposuction require the patient to undergo a series of multiple treatments spaced several weeks apart in order to deliver results. While each treatment is typically shorter and cheaper than a single liposuction procedure, when done in a series, you may end up spending more time and money on nonsurgical lipo alternatives than you would on liposuction.
A Tried and True Method
As appealing as it is to opt for a less invasive option for fat reduction, when considering any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to choose a tried and true method. Liposuction is one of the oldest cosmetic procedures, and has been performed on men and women for decades. Its long-standing popularity has encouraged vigorous testing and consistent improvements in technique. As a result, body contouring with liposuction is one of the most reliable ways to achieve real results.
Author: Dr. Joseph Castellano
Dr. Joseph Castellano is a native Floridian who grew up in the Tampa Bay area. After medical school and residency, Dr. Castellano returned home and has opened a practice in Tampa, Florida focusing on breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, liposuction, facelift, and eyelid rejuvenation. He is a member of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, and American Medical Association
