Liposuction Alternatives

The fact that liposuction is a surgical procedure that comes with serious risks and requires up to a week of downtime is often what drives consumers to look for other alternatives to liposuction, mainly those that are minimally invasive and more affordable. Below are some procedures which can be considered as liposuction alternatives.

Lipodissolve

Lipodissolve is a series of injections containing various drugs, enzymes and plant extracts designed to gradually dissolve fat. The costs range from $375 to $1500 per treatment but normally, six treatments are required. Also, the safety of Lipodissolve is currently under dispute, with some of the ingredients used not approved by the FDA.

Thermage

Thermage is an FDA-cleared laser skin tightening treatment wherein laser energy is used to heat the deep layers of the skin while simultaneously cooling the surface, preventing burns. No downtime is required. While it can melt fat under the skin, though, it is more popular as an anti-aging procedure.

Zerona

Zerona is a cool, low-level laser treatment developed by Erchonia which works by causing the fat cells to release their fat content while keeping them and surrounding blood vessels intact. The treatment is considered the first non-invasive body contouring procedure that is also effective in removing excessive fat, and has been described by patients as relaxing, with each session lasting about an hour. Six sessions are recommended for optimal results.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting is one of the newest procedures for removing fat, only recently approved by the FDA. Developed by Zeltig, it uses a special device that cools the fat cells to just above freezing, causing them to die naturally and shrink while leaving surrounding tissues and blood vessels intact.

Velashape

Velashape is an FDA-cleared treatment that combines various technologies and methods, namely bi-polar radiofrequency, infrared energy, and vacuum and mechanical massage. While it has been proven to reduce the circumference of the waist and thighs, it is more widely recognized as a cellulite treatment.

UltraShape

UltraShape is a treatment which converts electrical energy to ultrasound energy in order to disrupt the membranes of the fat cells, causing fat to be released and metabolized. The procedure has been described as short and comfortable and can achieve circumferential reduction by an average of 4 centimeters, though it can only be used on the abdomen, flanks and outer thighs. Three treatments often provide the best results.

Endermologie Lipomassage

Lipomassage is one of the Endermologie group of treatments developed by LPG which uses independent motorized rollers that roll up, in and out to stimulate cells and eliminate fat deposits while also removing cellulite and firming skin. Six treatment sessions are required, each lasting roughly 35 minutes.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Tummy tuck is a surgical procedure often performed general anesthesia wherein excess skin and fat are removed from the abdominal area while muscles are reshaped to achieve better shape.

Seaweed Wraps

A seaweed wrap is available at most spas and involves the application of seaweed, clay and other plant extracts and minerals on the body, after which it is wrapped in a heated blanket. It is mostly a relaxing and detoxifying treatment, though, with only minimal and short-term effects in terms of weight loss.

Diet and Exercise

Nothing beats a healthy diet and regular exercise in achieving weight loss and staying fit. If you decide to opt for liposuction or any of its alternatives, it is still recommended that you try these two first and continue doing them afterwards to maintain your figure.