Tips For Getting The Best Liposuction Price

Many things can affect a liposuction price quote. The type of liposuction procedure you choose is one important factor. As an example, ultrasonic liposuction is generally more expensive than tumescent liposuction. The size of the area and the amount of fat to be removed are also important. The price is typically higher for men than for women. This is because fat in males is denser and more difficult to remove.

Sometimes you can save a lot of money by traveling to have the procedure done. In regions where the cost of living is higher, such as Los Angeles, liposuction prices are also higher. Some patients decide to take an extended vacation to a scenic area for the procedure and enjoy the view while they recover.

Beware of telephone estimates. They are only a rough estimate of the actual cost of the procedure. Most surgeons will usually want to examine a patient to provide an accurate estimate of the liposuction price. Use caution with surgeons who are not willing to provide a written estimate. Sometimes these surgeons tack on lots of hidden fees after the surgery.

Ask for a global estimate that includes all expected fees. Fees usually fall into two main categories: surgical and non-surgical. The price a surgeon charges for his or her services is considered a surgical fee. Non-surgical fees typically include operating room fees, anesthesia, post-op compression garments, laboratory fees or additional treatments like laser therapy and ultrasound. Be sure to discuss all the anticipated costs with your surgeon before the procedure. Be careful if you receive an unusually low liposuction price quote.

What sounds like a great deal may result in minimal work that was actually done, and you find yourself with a big bill but no noticeable results. The lowest price can sometimes be the most expensive in the long term. Additional surgery is sometimes needed if you experience irregular results due to uneven skin appearance, excessive liposuction, large scars or disfigurement.

There are many different ways to pay for liposuction. Some practices offer tailored payment plans that can be customized to fit your resources. Some patients choose financing, either through a bank or a finance company. Many surgeons take credit card payments. Always make sure the payment plan you choose is within your budget, and always think carefully before taking on debt.

July 25 2009 | Liposuction | No Comments »

Getting To Know Laser Liposuction

Just recently, the FDA approved the latest technology called laser liposuction as a method for removing fat in specific areas of the body. It seems that people no longer need to stick to the option of traditional liposuction. There is however, still a lot that we need to know about laser liposuction.

What is Laser Liposuction?

Laser liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that causes little bruising or tissue trauma in patients. In this procedure, a very small incision is made into which a 1mm cannula is then inserted. The laser tip of the instrument then comes into contact with the fats, heats the fats up and breaks them down. The melted fat can then be removed from the body immediately.

Fats that are not removed can be flushed out by the body through the lymphatic system. Laser intensity is low and can be adjusted as needed. A local anesthetic is all that is needed for laser liposuction.

Its Use

Like other liposuction procedures, laser liposuction can only work on specific areas of the body. Although some may claim that laser liposuction can work wonders on all parts of your body, it can only really work on limited areas. Only smaller areas like the face, neck and arms can be subjected to this laser treatment.

Laser liposuction is similar to traditional liposuction in that it is also a form of a body sculpting procedure. It is therefore not a solution for obesity and cannot be used for weight loss. The appropriate candidates for this new technology are people who are fairly healthy and who have only small fat deposits.

Advantages

Since the procedure is minimally invasive, there is less swelling, bruising, scarring, tissue damage and pain. The incision is said to be so small that a patient no longer needs to be stitched up. This means that the rate of recovery is faster. Patients can get back on their feet in a day or two.

Another advantage of laser liposuction is that it promotes collagen production and tightens the skin aside from merely melting body fats. This is a great improvement compared to traditional liposuction. In traditional liposuction, some patients end up looking worse because of a lack of ideal skin elasticity. Some doctors may use laser liposuction after sessions of traditional liposuction to help tighten the skin.

Disadvantages

Not all areas of the body can be subjected to laser liposuction. Traditional liposuction may still be needed for wider body areas such as the hips and thighs. It is also still a very young piece of technology. Experts agree that more studies need to be conducted to determine the possible negative side effects of this procedure.

A more serious concern that especially deserves more attention in laser liposuction is also the probable negative effects of having more fat fluid being retained in the body. Of course, the FDA would not approve something that could be potentially dangerous. It is a fact though that the full long term side effects of the procedure cannot be determined yet until it has been in use for quite some time. Be on the safe side by asking your doctor to extensively discuss the procedure with you.

July 24 2009 | Liposuction | No Comments »