Plastic surgeon Dr. David Reid works at New Dimensions Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Belleville, Illinois. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Medicine, he has been in private practice since 1995. In this article, he explains what power-assisted liposuction is, and how surgeons are using it to help patients achieve a better look.
Power-assisted liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction are two relatively new techniques that have greatly improved the way surgeons can perform liposuction on patients. Both for the cosmetic surgeons and the patients themselves, these new liposuction techniques are helping produce better results than we have ever seen before.
Power-assisted liposuction is essentially using a motorized liposuction handpiece that makes the liposuction cannula move. In the case of the reciprocating saw, which is a feature of the power-assisted liposuction technology, that is a saw that goes in and out of the handpiece of the liposuction device. So essentially, the reciprocating saw makes the cannula go forwards and backwards through the patient’s fatty area.
In the past, before power-assisted liposuction had been introduced, a surgeon had to move the saw through the patient’s fatty area himself. Obviously, that could cause fatigue in the muscles over time and lead to less precision. So this power-assisted liposuction technique, with its reciprocating saw that moves the cannula, has made the process much easier for cosmetic surgeons. Overall, power-assisted liposuction seems to cause patients a little less pain, and it makes the surgeon’s job easier, too.
From the patient’s point of view, this power-assisted liposuction technique has been shown to cause less discomfort, both during and after the liposuction procedure. In today’s industry, power-assisted liposuction is relatively common among doctors throughout the country.
Another popular option is the ultrasound liposuction technique. That is actually the technique that I use. Ultrasound liposuction uses a different energy source, which makes this a really neat option for patients looking to get a great result from their liposuction procedure.
Ultrasound-assisted liposuction uses a type of ultrasound energy to emulsify the fat in a patient’s body. Wherever the end of the cannula is facing, the fat in that area is just emulsified—it just liquefies and goes away.
Not only is ultrasound-assisted liposuction an effective treatment option when performing liposuction on certain parts of the body on women, but it is especially effective when performing liposuction on men—no matter what the body part in question may be.
The reason ultrasound-assisted liposuction is so effective on men is because their bodies tend to have more fibrous tissue than women. That fibrous tissue can be difficult to get through with traditional liposuction techniques, but it is a snap when you are working with ultrasound technology.
Women can have fibrous tissue in the upper half of the belly, as well, which is the main area of the body that I choose to use ultrasound technology on for the majority of women. Without using this ultrasound technique, it can be difficult to get great results in the upper half of the belly area with just traditional liposuction methods.
Because ultrasound-assisted liposuction emulsified the fat—or liquefies it, which is another way of explaining to emulsification process to people—we can get rid of fat in more areas of the body than ever before. Even when I am using an ultrasound technique on a patient, though, I may oftentimes still go back in and finish the case with the traditional liposuction technique. But starting with ultrasound definitely makes it easier to get a good result with the traditional methods, which is another benefit.
So overall, if a patient was wondering the difference between power-assisted liposuction and ultrasound-assisted liposuction, I would tell him or her that those are two very different techniques that are being used to give patients great liposuction results. Whereas the main point with power-assisted liposuction is that the cannula reciprocates on its own, easing the exertion and effort on the part of the surgeon, the ultrasound technology emulsifies the fat altogether, allowing surgeons to get rid of fibrous tissue in both men and women.
Both options are especially useful in the field of liposuction, although which option is best for each individual patient depends largely on his personal needs as well as the preferences of the surgeon performing the liposuction procedure.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
