The ABCs of Liposuction: Dr. Scott Zevon Explains the Difference in Liposuction Techniques

NEW YORK, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- While liposuction is a very popular method of improving the body's contours, there are now many variations on the basic procedure. Dr. Scott Zevon, a board certified plastic surgeon in New York City, explains the difference in liposuction methods and why some are better suited to meet particular aesthetic goals.

"According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), liposuction was the most popular cosmetic procedure in 2013, and for good reason," says Dr. Zevon. "It is highly effective, but the particular type of liposuction utilized must be appropriate for the individual patient to achieve optimal results."

Liposuction removes stubborn fat that doesn't respond to changes in diet or exercise, bringing the body into better proportion. The same methodology is at work in every type of liposuction: fat is vacuumed from the body through a tiny cannula inserted into the body through small incisions. Liposuction can be used on many different parts of the body, including the neck, chin, upper arms, chest, breasts, abdomen, thighs, buttocks, back, knees, and calves.

Dr. Zevon employs three types of liposuction in his Manhattan practice and carefully chooses the best technique (or combination of techniques) to maximize results and minimize recovery times for his patients:

Tumescent (saline-assisted) liposuction. This is now the gold-standard liposuction treatment, in which fluid is injected into tissues before fat is suctioned out of the body. The fluid contains agents that provide several advantages: it makes it easier to perform the surgery; it reduces bleeding and swelling; and it relieves pain. The tumescent formula generally negates the need for a general anesthetic, making the procedure safer for the patient.

Benefit: Very precise results can be obtained from tumescent liposuction, based on the skill and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure. It can also be used on practically every part of the body.

Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL). This is a newer liposuction technique that uses sound waves to liquefy fat. UAL targets fatty tissues with accuracy and leaves surrounding areas undamaged; the liquefied fat is then removed with low-volume suction. UAL may also allow for better contour and less irregularity after surgery. Traditional tumescent lipo may be required for certain areas of the body, however.

Benefits: Can remove fat from fibrous body areas such as male breast or back that are difficult to treat with tumescent liposuction; UAL also allows for the removal of larger amounts of fat during a single procedure.

Laser-assisted liposuction. Dr. Zevon uses the Smartlipo system of laser-assisted liposuction, which also liquefies fat for easier removal from the body. Laser-assisted liposuction is an appropriate choice for areas with some skin laxity, such as the neck and arms, but can also be used to remove fat from the abdomen, hips, and thighs.

Benefit: Smartlipo has been shown to tighten and improve the quality of the skin, an advantage which is unique to this type of liposuction. The laser energy used in Smartlipo increases collagen production and reorganizes collagen fibers to firm and smooth the skin.

Dr. Zevon emphasizes that the best results from any type of liposuction are obtained when the procedure is performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon, one who can evaluate a patient's needs and plan the most appropriate procedure. Liposuction results in a permanent reduction of fat cells in the body that is maintained with proper diet and exercise, but the procedure itself cannot be used as a weight-loss method.

About Central Park Plastic Surgery: Scott J. Zevon, MD, FACS, has been featured in New York Magazine as one of the Best Doctors in New York and is listed in the Castle Connolly directory Best Doctors in New York. The Central Park Plastic Surgery offices and AAAASF-accredited ambulatory surgical facility are located at 75 Central Park West, New York, New York 10023. He can be reached by phone at 212-496-6600 or at www.drzevon.com.

Media Contact: Mary Monahan, 212-496-6600, www.drzevon.com

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SOURCE Central Park Plastic Surgery