For those who seek a less invasive fat removal option, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Philip S. Schoenfeld is proud to offer laser lipo treatment to patients in Washington, D.C., Chevy Chase, MD, and surrounding areas. Using a cutting-edge laser-assisted liposuction method, Dr. Schoenfeld of RENU Artful Medicine can effectively remove fat while reducing the surgical risk, discomfort, and downtime of traditional liposuction. Patients who are tired of struggling with “problem areas” of stubborn fat can gain confidence and improve their appearance with this minimally-invasive laser fat removal technique.
What is Laser Liposuction?
Liposuction, sometimes called liposculpture, is a tried-and-true surgical procedure that is performed to remove stubborn pockets of fat that remain on the body despite diet and exercise. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is very important, healthy habits don’t always result in weight loss, especially in areas like the stomach and hips. At RENU, we offer the latest in laser technology to assist in body contouring and produce real results with minimal downtime.
SlimLipo at our Washington, D.C. area practice is an advanced technique that combines laser lipo technology with traditional liposuction methods for minimally-invasive, yet effective, body contouring. The laser utilizes two different wavelengths of light, making it a safer and more precise laser for fat removal when compared to other laser lipo devices.
The device tightens the skin while gently melting unwanted fat so it can be suctioned out with little trauma to the patient. In essence, one laser stimulates collagen while the other melts fat, addressing excess skin and fat all at once. With the body enduring less trauma, this technique significantly reduces both the downtime and discomfort associated with plastic surgery.
At RENU, Dr. Schoenfeld sometimes combines laser lipo with the more traditional tumescent liposuction technique, which uses an anesthetic fluid to numb the area and reduce trauma during the procedure.
What Areas Does Laser Lipo Treat?
Laser lipo in Washington, D.C., is appropriate for treating both large and small areas of stubborn fat throughout the body. The body contouring treatment can create a smooth and slim physique, enhancing the body’s overall figure and adding symmetry in the treated areas. Many people find that they eventually plateau in weight loss and are left with “problem areas” of stubborn fat. These can occur in many areas of the body. Common treatment areas for laser lipo at RENU in Washington, D.C. include:
- Stomach
- Hips
- Love Handles
- Waist
- Thighs
- Arms
- Face
- Neck
- “Bra fat”
- Knees
One of the most common treatment areas is just below the chin. Sometimes, stubborn fat and skin laxity occur under the chin, creating a problem area most commonly known as a “double chin”. Our combination technique is very precise and can address the sub-mental portions, as well as the jowls, cheeks, and other areas of facial fat.
Laser Liposuction Before-and-After Photos
View more of our laser lipo before-and-after pics here
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Good Candidates for Laser Fat Removal in Washington, D.C.
Laser lipo is a safe procedure that carries minimal risk when it is performed by an expert, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this minimally-invasive body contouring surgery. Good candidates are healthy adults who are at or near their goal weight, with isolated areas of fat that will not resolve on their own through diet and exercise.
This cosmetic surgery is also ideal for those who have skin laxity issues or poor body contours from past liposuction procedures. If you are considering this treatment but aren’t quite at a stable weight yet, it may be best to wait in order to set yourself up for optimal results.
Patients should have realistic expectations for their liposuction results. It may be a good idea to look at some liposuction before and after pictures to get an idea of what the procedure can accomplish. Any concerns a patient may have regarding their candidacy and/or goals can be addressed during their initial consultation with Dr. Philip S. Schoenfeld at our Washington D.C. offices.
The SlimLipo Procedure with Dr. Schoenfeld
Because it is a gentle cosmetic surgery, SlimLipo can be performed in a few different settings:
- Plastic surgery office
- Outpatient surgical facility
- Hospital
Though this fat reduction technique does not require the use of general anesthesia, local anesthesia (with or without sedation) is used for patients’ safety and comfort. We may also use tumescent anesthesia to help reduce bruising and discomfort, and to assist with fat removal during the procedure.
To start, small incisions are made in the areas to be treated. Dr. Schoenfeld then inserts a small spaghetti-sized laser probe into the areas containing excess fat. Laser energy is delivered to these areas in precise, predetermined amounts, which safely liquefies the fat.
SlimLipo has the additional benefit of using a second laser beam to target the collagen of the skin. While one laser is melting unwanted fat, the second laser beam is actually stimulating the skin from beneath, which results in fairly dramatic skin tightening in the areas where fat has been removed. This reduces the amount of sagging skin after the procedure.
After the appropriate amount of laser energy is delivered to the unwanted fat and the areas are effectively treated, the liquefied fat is gently suctioned away for improved body contours.
Post-Laser Lipo Recovery
Compared to the tumescent liposuction method, the recovery process for laser lipo in Washington D.C. is fairly brief.
Patients will be given a compression garment following the SlimLipo procedure and will be asked to wear it for about two weeks. If the SlimLipo target area was your abdomen, you will also have to wear an abdominal binder for the first two days following surgery. You may remove the abdominal binder after the residual fluid, some blood, and even small amounts of liquefied fat has ceased draining from your incision sites. You may shower on the day of surgery, and should remove the compression garment to do so.
Though there will be less swelling and bruising with SlimLipo than with other liposuction methods, you should expect these side effects following the procedure. Your compression garment will help in minimizing swelling and bruising.
Some discomfort may be expected, and pain medications will be provided as needed. Many patients need only extra-strength Tylenol and nothing else, though this may be discussed during the consultation. Patients are encouraged to walk on the day of their procedure as this will help prevent post-procedure complications.
Patients often return to work the day after surgery, or at most, after two days. Dr. Schoenfeld asks his patients to refrain from heavy physical activity for two weeks following the operation.
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Possible Side Effects and/or Risks
SlimLipo is a very safe procedure, but all surgery carries at least some risk. Aside from minor discomfort, patients may also experience:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Infection
- Bleeding
Why choose Dr. Schoenfeld
- Double board-certified in Otolaryngology
- Double board-certified in Head and Neck Surgery
- Double board-certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Medical degree from New York Medical College
- MINDBODY Visionary Award
Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Liposuction
Under no circumstances should anyone view liposuction as a viable way to lose weight. Not only is it unsafe to remove large amounts of fat during a single procedure, but patients are likely to be dissatisfied with the results and will probably have trouble maintaining their weight without the help of a healthy lifestyle. Instead, prospective patients should view this procedure as a way to contour the body and address areas of fat that won’t go away.
The swelling from the procedure will subside gradually, but you can expect to see some results after about a week when the initial swelling has resolved. In the weeks following surgery, the contours of the body will start to settle more and you’ll be able to see the results emerge.
Fat cells destroyed during liposuction won’t come back. However, it is still possible to gain back your weight following surgery. Other fat cells can still expand, resulting in weight gain and new problem areas, which is why it’s so important to be at a stable weight before the procedure and to live a healthy lifestyle after lipo. This will help preserve your results.
The incisions made during lipo are so tiny that the risk for visible scarring is extremely minimal. You shouldn’t even be able to notice them at a glance unless you look closely, once everything has healed.
While laser lipo may have a potential risk of causing seizures, it’s not known to be a direct cause. Sometimes, a surgeon administers too much lidocaine during a lipo procedure that has the potential to cause these epileptic episodes. This is something an expert surgeon like Dr. Schoenfeld can control. However, we recommend getting full medical clearance from a neurologist before moving forward with the procedure, as a precaution.
Although obesity can affect hormones and your periods, there are no known cases of laser liposuction contributing to any changes in hormones that would affect your periods. There are reports, however, that liposuction can help with individuals who may have developed Type II diabetes due to obesity.
Some patients see a significant improvement in their stretch marks following laser liposuction. Dr. Schoenfeld’s theory is that this is caused by the laser energy tightening and remodeling the collagen in the skin, which might help to improve the appearance of stretch marks.
Liposuction can be performed a second time in the same area. Touch up procedures are not particularly uncommon. Dr. Schoenfeld makes an effort to use the incisions from prior lipo surgeries.
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Book Your Washington D.C. Laser Lipo Consultation
If you feel it’s time to remove the fat that exercise can’t undo and address your skin laxity at the same time, schedule a consultation with Dr. Philip S. Schoenfeld at our Washington, D.C. area offices to discuss your laser lipo candidacy. You will meet with the doctor in a one-on-one session to go over your personal goals, address any questions or concerns, obtain information about your body contouring treatment options, and to get to know our staff. We also offer digital imaging to help you envision your brand new look. Call 301-652-7368 today for your Washington laser fat removal one-on-one!