Liposuction gently breaks down and removes fat cells from unwanted areas, but for some women who want only subtle adjustments, traditional techniques may not be the best option. There are three recent alternatives to traditional or traditional tumescent liposuction, including CoolSculpting®, SmartLipo™, and Zerona®.
- CoolSculpting®: A non-invasive procedure, CoolSculpting uses a unique cooling technique that reduces fat without surgery. The patented method, developed by Harvard and approved by the FDA, uses a cooling process that freezes the fat cells in the skin, breaking down their structure so that they die and reabsorb into the body over a few months. The completely non-invasive procedure lasts about one hour and does not involve needles, incisions, or anesthesia; however, results tend to be less dramatic than with true liposuction. Due to the results and the fact that it uses no incisions whatsoever, this option is the one our practice recommends as the number-one choice to remove fat nonsurgically.
- SmartLipo™: This option actually advances traditional liposuction techniques by including laser heat to melt and destroy fat cells and help tighten skin. The FDA-approved technique is a less damaging to tissues than traditional tumescent liposuction alone; because of this, it may promote faster and safer healing with less risk that skin will heal in an uneven contour. Because the fat is melted before removal, the surgeon can remove even large amounts of fat gently, with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. Many surgeons also offer SmartLipo using only local or twilight anesthesia, minimizing the risks involved with general anesthesia. Fat removal is done in a 45-60 minute treatment and can create dramatic improvements in the breast or chest area, belly, hips, thighs, jowls, or neck.
- Zerona®: This option is a clinically tested non-invasive body slimming technique that can reduce inches of fat without requiring the healing times of traditional liposuction. Like SmartLipo, this method destroys fat cells using laser heat, without negative effects to surrounding tissues. Like CoolSculpting, this method tends to create less extensive results than traditional liposuction, but it might be an effective options for patients who want smaller improvements.
Dr. David Kaufman earned a bachelor of science degree from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating with distinction, the highest academic honor. As an active duty naval special warfare officer, he served our nation for four years, including duty in Operation Desert Storm. He then attended Harvard Medical School, receiving his medical doctor degree in 1996. From there, he entered and completed postdoctoral surgical training in a combined general and plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center.
A board-certified plastic surgeon and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Kaufman’s diverse surgical experience and skill enables him to choose procedures and techniques to best suit each patient. Consider him and his practice, Kaufman Plastic Surgery, if you are looking for a plastic surgeon in the Sacramento area.
