Question:
I’m a 48 year old woman with thin skin and excess fat on the backs of my hips. I’d like to get lipo to get rid of these pockets of fat, but I’m quite concerned about my skin. Is my thin skin likely to tear during liposuction?
Answer
The concerns you have regarding the potential for skin tearing during liposuction is a valid one. Traditional liposuction uses solid steel cannulas to remove fat from the areas where the liposuction is being performed. The undersurface of the skin does take somewhat of a beating during the liposuction procedure. I have been using the SlimLipo laser lipolysis system for my liposuction procedures. The SlimLipo system uses laser energy to melt the fat prior to removing the liquified fat. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and is as effective as traditional liposuction but, significantly more gentle. The really good news is that your skin is extremely tough even in areas where your skin appears thin and the likelihood of lacerating or penetrating the skin during liposuction is extremely small.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld