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What is Lipotherme?

Brian Hurley | January 15, 2010

If you are looking for a safe, effective alternative to liposuction, you may want to try Lipotherme. Here, Dr. Brian Hurley, who runs Illumination MedSpa in Irmo, South Carolina, explains the procedure.

Lipo means fat, and therme means heat, so Lipotherme is literally the controlled application of heat to liquefy fat. The clinical term for this type of procedure is laser-assisted lipolysis (laser lipo for short), which is an evolution of traditional liposuction.

Lipotherme is a non-surgical procedure that uses a laser (similar to those used in surgical procedures) to liquefy and remove unwanted fat in targeted body zones. In addition to removing unwanted fat, Lipotherme’s thermal effect causes the skin to contract, resulting in firmer, smoother skin that further enhances your body-shaping goals. Lipotherme is the ideal body-shaping tool for reducing localized fat deposits in areas resistant to diet and exercise. You’ll see an overall circumference reduction in the targeted zone, as well as skin tightening.

Lipotherme is the result of years of research into the ideal methods for targeting unwanted fat zones and eliminating them from the body. Lipotherme was developed by a team of European researchers, and thousands of satisfied patients have benefited from it.

Although effective, traditional liposuction is considered a highly invasive procedure. By contrast, Lipotherme is a minimally invasive procedure with virtually no downtime. Depending on your goals and physical condition, Lipotherme can be an alternative to traditional liposuction, or your doctor may recommend a combination of the two.

Lipotherme Pre-Procedure Information

During a pre-procedure consultation, the doctor will work with you to discuss your goals, explain the procedure, and set realistic expectations. The doctor will perform a Body Mass Index (BMI) test. Your BMI, and other health information, will be used to determine the potential outcomes you should expect. Results vary depending on age, hormones, BMI, and other health indicators. The doctor or a staff member will thoroughly brief you on all pre-procedure and post-procedure precautions.

Lipotherme Procedure

Your doctor will first deliver a mild numbing agent to the targeted zone. Then a small metal tube called a cannula is inserted under the skin and a tiny laser beam is fired as the doctor moves the cannula back and forth. As the laser warms the fat cells, it creates a thermal effect. Fat cells, which are highly receptive to thermal energy, are liquefied and removed permanently. Next, your doctor will aspirate (suction) the liquefied fat cells away.

Body Zones Lipotherme Treats

Lipotherme is used to treat localized fat deposits in the following areas:

  • Abdomen
  • Waist (love handles)
  • Back (bra line)
  • Thighs (inner and outer)
  • Hips
  • Face (chin and cheeks)
  • Knees
  • Arms (back of arms)
  • Ankles

Lipotherme Results

Typically, you’ll see dramatic improvement one to two weeks after the treatment, but some areas such as the neck and jaw can show even faster results. Because healing and metabolism are different for everyone, the results of a Lipotherme treatment usually require 12 to 16 weeks to become fully apparent and improvement continues to be seen for several months.

Primarily, Lipotherme treatments are considered “one-time” treatments. In adults, fat cells cannot grow back once they’ve been removed. If you gain weight after having Lipotherme, the excess fat will accumulate in areas where you did not have the treatment. After the final results are achieved, if your physician is not satisfied with the results, a “touch-up” treatment may be performed.

Post-Lipotherme Recuperation

Most patients resume normal activities the day after their procedure. However, it is recommended that you wait several days before resuming strenuous activity such as exercise.

Is Lipotherme Safe?

Yes! Lipotherme has been approved by the FDA.

Who Is Not A Good Lipotherme Candidate?

Your doctor will ask you to fill out a patient questionnaire and to list all medications you are currently taking. He will advise you of any potential health risks. Women who are pregnant should not undergo Lipotherme.

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.

About Brian Hurley

Author Name

Dr. Brian Wyche Hurley is medical director of Illumination MedSpa in Irmo, South Carolina. Dr. Hurley received his BS (’83) and MD (’89) from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona in 1993, and has since been involved in academic medicine. Dr. Hurley then worked as an assistant professor of Medicine and staff hospitalist at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona. He moved back home to Columbia, South Carolina, in 2005 to become medical director of Hospital Internal Medicine at Palmetto Health Richland. In 2008, Dr. Hurley resigned as the medical director to pursue his true passion, and established Illumination MedSpa. He still works an assistant professor of Medicine at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine and is a board-certified internist with additional training and certification in medical cosmetic procedures. He was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and is an active member of the American Society For Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Illumination MedSpa

(803) 753-8890 1032-A Kinley Road
Irmo,SC 29063
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