Wait, There’s More Than One Type of Liposuction?

Liposuction was first created all the way back in the 1920s, after a French surgeon named Charles Dujarier believed fat could be removed from the body, and the body sculpted along with it. The idea was there, but the archaic technology and techniques used put the concept of liposuction on the backburner of the cosmetic surgery world all the way until the mid-sixties and seventies, where newer methods steadily gained popularity.

With the increased popularity of the procedure, new types of liposuction technologies and methods began to evolve at a faster rate than ever before.

In the present day, liposuction is one of the most popular forms of cosmetic procedures sought after by men and women. Women’s and men’s liposuction is quicker, easier, and less painful than ever before. Our clinic is home to some of the most experienced and professional plastic surgeons in Toronto, and as such, we perform many different types of liposuction procedures every day.

Today, we’re going to talk about the different types of liposuction procedures, both surgical and not, and break down their similarities, differences, and costs.

What is Liposuction?

Before we talk about the types of liposuction and costs that are associated with them, but first, we need to discuss what occurs during standard liposuction. Liposuction is to treat areas such as:

• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Hips
• Arms
• Cheeks
• Neck
• Ankles
• Knees
• Chest
• Back
• Chin

During traditional liposuction, the patient is often put under general anesthesia, incisions are made, and the fat is removed.

While effective, traditional liposuction can come with more pain, bruising, and longer recovery times than more modern methods. Additionally, often no skin tightening is done during traditional liposuction, and patients may be left with looser skin after their procedure.

The different types of liposuction procedures we offer can treat the same areas but with much more minimal scarring, bruising, and recovery. Modern methods usually only require local anesthesia, where the patient is still conscious, rather than being fully put to sleep under general anesthesia.

Modern Types of Liposuction We Offer

Tumescent

When people talk about modern types of liposuction methods, they’re usually referring to tumescent liposuction.

Tumescent liposuction is when a solution is injected into the designated area and fills the fatty layer under the skin. This causes the fat to swell and become firm, which allows for easier removal. Incisions are then made, and a small narrow tube, known as a cannula, is connected to a suction machine like a vacuum. The cannula is then inserted into the designated area, and the swollen fat is sucked out.

At our clinic, we often combine tumescent liposuction with other methods such as BodyTite, to make the procedure easier and less invasive.

BodyTite™

BodyTite is one of the forefronts of how far body contouring procedures have come. BodyTite is a revolutionary FDA-approved type of liposuction that uses temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy.

During a BodyTite procedure, a small incision is made, and an internal probe is inserted. Using a handheld electrode that moves around the treatment area, radiofrequency energy generates between the electrode and internal probe. This energy then heats body fat until it begins to melt.

Having the fat liquefy makes removal easier and gentler during its removal through a small suction tube. This method leads to far less bruising and swelling than standard liposuction procedures.

At the same time as melting fat, BodyTite’s heating also works to tighten and coagulate your body’s tissue. This makes for tightened skin and more effortless sculpting of the body. After the procedure, soft tissue contraction can be 40-50% over 12 months.

BodyTite also featured some of the best-reported safety controls on the market. As the heat is generated, BodyTite uses advanced internal and external sensors, which will automatically shut off energy delivery if skin temperature begins to get too hot. This helps to prevent the risk of overheating or damaging the body and skin.

At our clinic, we’re proud to offer BodyTite performed by our experienced surgeons.

Dr. Mulholland, the founder of Toronto Plastic Surgeons, is a co-creator of the BodyTite liposuction procedures and is the author of “The BodyTite Book.”

This procedure is quick, lasting only 45-60 minutes. As the surgery is minimally invasive, most patients can return to light, non-strenuous activities after just a day. However, we recommend a week of recovery before returning to activities like work. Pricing begins at $6,999.

VASERLipo™

VASERLipo™ is another one-of-a-kind breakthrough in body sculpting technologies. VASER™ stands for “vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance” and is a precise ultrasound technology to help break up fat.

During the procedure, the VASER™ releases ultrasonic waves that vibrate stubborn fat cells until they liquify for easier removal with a small blunt-tipped microcannula.

Unlike BodyTite and SmartLipo, the ultrasonic waves do not stimulate soft tissue contractions, which creates improved elasticity and tightness.

However, one of the best benefits of Vaser liposuction is that the removed fat from the unwanted area can be repurposed in fat grafting procedures.

Fat grafting is when the removed fat is placed into the desired area requiring a fuller appearance. This method has many uses, including breast augmentations, using the fat as an alternative or addition to implants. Facial fat transplantation and the rapidly popular Brazilian butt lift (BBL) are also performed with this method.

Another benefit of VASERLipo™ is that it takes only 30-45 minutes to perform, making it one of the fastest liposuction methods that we provide. Similar to our other types of liposuction, VASER offers a quick recovery turnaround, with patients usually able to return to non-strenuous tasks by the next day.

SmartLipo™

SmartLipo is also known as laser lipolysis. This is a type of liposuction procedure that utilizes heat, this time using a laser.

As one of the types of laser liposuction, SmartLipo uses a small laser probe, harnessing laser energy and targets fat cells, beaming directly into them. The energy of the laser then generates heat, melting the fat for easier removal through suction. Blood vessels are also closed off during the process, which minimizes bruising.

This procedure takes slightly longer than BodyTite, with overall procedure time ranged between 90 minutes to two hours.

SmartLipo offers some advantages over VASERLipo, as it utilizes heat, which helps to stimulate tissue contraction and tightening of the skin. This allows for optimal body contouring and smoothing effects. Up to 17% contraction and 25% elasticity improvement can be found in the procedure results within 6-12 months.

Recovery time for SmartLipo is generally speedy and is common for those who undergo it, even in multiple areas, to return to light activity by the next day.

As a renowned liposuction doctor in Toronto, Dr. Bell is known for his skills in SmartLipo and other energy-assisted liposuction skills and is sought after both in Canada and globally.

Pricing is comparable to BodyTite, beginning at $6,999 for one treatment zone to $11,999 for four treatment zones.

Our “After Liposuction” Program

Now that we’ve talked about some of the types of liposuction we offer, let’s talk about our aftercare program.

After you’ve had adequate time to recover from your initial liposuction procedures, usually around 12 weeks later, we begin the next phase of your journey.

In our “After Liposuction” program, we apply methods to help create your final looks. This includes non-surgical skin tightening, localized fat reduction, and muscle toning procedures. None of these procedures will come at an additional cost to you, as they are included in your initial billing.

This great aftercare is something we are proud of and is one of the many reasons The Toronto Plastic Surgeons are renowned for their liposuction procedures.

Is a Tummy Tuck the Same as Liposuction?

A very common question we answer is the difference between the liposuction vs tummy tuck procedures. They share many similarities, as both are types of body contouring surgery that can enhance and shape of the abdomen. However, their techniques are different.

Where liposuction surgeries generally only target fat deposits, a tummy tuck procedure involves sectioning excess skin. Incisions are made along the abdomen around the hip and belly button areas. The skin is then pulled tighter, and the excess is removed. This is more invasive than liposuction, which requires minimal incisions to be made.

As we previously mentioned, Liposuction can be performed almost anywhere on the body where fat deposits form. Meanwhile, tummy tucks specifically refer to the abdominal region and do not target other fatty tissue regions like “love handles.” However, both surgeries can be, and often are, performed simultaneously and provide patients with optimal results.

Non-Surgical Liposuction Alternatives

Not only is our clinic renowned for our advanced types of liposuction procedures, but we are also Canada’s leading center for non-surgical fat reduction treatments. Non-surgical procedures appeal to many, as they offer virtually no downtime, as no incisions are made and are less expensive than liposuction. So let’s talk about a few of the great non-surgical methods we have to offer.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting, also known as Cryolipolysis, is one of the most popular, FDA-approved forms of fat reduction.

CoolSculpting works by utilizing cold temperatures to break down fat cells in the body. The cold is applied using a small vacuum-like applicator that is moved around the skin of the designated area.

The cold temperatures do not affect the other cells in the body in the way it does fat, so no damage is done to the skin or tissues around it.

This procedure takes around an hour, and effects should begin to show within 6-12 weeks as the fat disappears from the body. Many patients return for second and third rounds of CoolSculpting for optimal effects. Pricing begins at $799.

EVOLVE

EVOLVE is the latest in body sculpting technologies. It is approved by both the FDA and Health Canada for its work in non-invasive body contouring. EVOLVE uses non-invasive radio frequencies and electromagnetic energies that work to tighten skin, destroy fat, and helps to build muscle and toning.

EVOLVE uses three different applications to target many areas of the body. They are:

EVOLVE TITE

TITE is EVOLVE’s skin tightening module. TITE helps patients with looser skin by using bi-polar radio-frequency energies to warm the tissue and stimulate new collagen and elastin growth.

EVOLVE TRIM

TRIM is EVOLVE’s fat reduction module. It combines energy generated from radiofrequency with suction. The energy created from these frequencies destroys fat cells without any incisions having to be made. This is a popular module for reducing bumpy appearances on the skin, such as cellulite.

EVOLVE TONE

The final of EVOLVE’s applications is TONE. Tone uses electrical stimulation to target and stimulates deep layers of muscles by causes contractions. These contractions help to build and tone underlying muscle in the targeted area, leaving an overall refined appearance.

Depending on your treatment needs, whether for loose skin, stubborn fat deposits or weakened muscles, the different EVOLVE techniques can be combined to customize your experience. Prices can vary but often begin at $1999 per zone for three treatments. An EVOLVE session typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, and patients may resume normal activities immediately after a session.

Other non-surgical methods

In addition to CoolSculpting and EVOLVE, we offer a multitude of other non-surgical body sculpting and liposuction technologies such as:

• SculpSure
• Vanquish
• EMsculpt
• BodyFX
• Vanquish
• Venus Freeze
• Excilis
• VelaShape 3

Liposuction at Toronto Plastic Surgeons

We have some of the best and most experienced liposuction surgeons in Canada at our plastic surgery clinic. You can trust us to perform your body contouring procedures, whether surgical or not, with a high level of expertise, security, and professionalism.

If you’re tired of feeling insecure, we can help. Please schedule a consultation online or call 647-723-3739 to speak with one of our experts who can help you with the best treatment and approach.