Most of my Downers Grove, IL, patients interested in liposuction have a good general idea of how the procedure works: a surgeon simply inserts a small tube and suctions fat away from the body. That’s an accurate synopsis, but what’s missing from that description is the method the plastic surgeon uses to break up the fatty tissue so they can remove it.
This is a key component of the procedure, and the way it’s performed can have a big effect on both the results and the recovery period. That’s why I offer power-assisted liposuction (PAL), which helps me safely and easily loosen the fat so I can suction it away.
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Traditional Liposuction vs. PAL
In traditional liposuction, a surgeon uses thrusting and side-to-side movements to break up fatty tissue with the liposuction wand, called a cannula. This can cause an undue amount of trauma, resulting in more bruising and swelling. Power-assisted liposuction minimizes these side effects and gets excellent results.
The PAL® LipoSculptor™ system manufactured by MicroAire uses a special cannula that vibrates rapidly, breaking away fat cells that are then suctioned from the body.
By choosing the PAL technique, patients benefit in several ways, including:
- Rapid vibrations loosen fat cells and make them easier to remove, which often leads to more volume removed.
- The vibrating cannula is gentler than having a surgeon use force to break up the fat cells, resulting in less bruising and a shorter recovery time.
- More fat is removed in a shorter treatment time, meaning fewer risks and complications.
- Using a tiny, vibrating cannula allows surgeons to target fat with greater precision, avoiding trauma to surrounding tissue.
Researchers have found that PAL is more effective than traditional liposuction techniques, including one study that showed a powered liposuction device removes 30% more fat than manual liposuction.
Your Body Contouring Options
Advanced liposuction techniques give patients more body contouring options than ever. In addition to PAL, I also offer the traditional method, which may be appropriate in certain cases, as well as ultrasonic liposuction, which uses ultrasound waves to break up fat cells. Finding a board-certified surgeon who is experienced in several forms of liposuction is a great way to ensure you get satisfying results with an optimal recovery period.
To see the impact PAL can make, take a look at my before-and-after photo gallery. I also share tips on how to maintain your liposuction results in this related blog post.
If you think liposuction may be right for you, please contact us to request a consultation.
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