Dr. Dennis WatkinsAt Sono Bello we believe that it is worth the time, energy and investment to provide patients with the best liposuction care possible. Laser Assisted Body Contouring at Sono Bello has two parts: Removal of the fat and improvement of the skin quality from the effects of the laser. We work to provide our patients with the best value and we believe the use of the laser is an important part of this.
Here’s how the laser works:
Our lasers provide thermal energy to the undersurface of the skin. It is well known in plastic cosmetic surgery that if the undersurface of the skin is heated to the proper temperature, there is increased collagen formation. The use of the laser causes two important things: It causes the skin to actually shrink and tighten, and it works to liquefy the fat. Multiple studies have shown that there is a 15% to 20% tightening of the skin which also increases skin elasticity—as with any surgery though, individual results will vary based on body type, skin quality and the amount of fat being removed.
Along with liquefying fat, the laser seals blood vessels so there is less bleeding and swelling. This process also triggers the body’s lymphatic system to remove the affected fat cells. With less bruising and swelling there is less pain. With less pain there is quicker recovery time. With quicker recovery time the patient can return to normal activities much sooner than with traditional liposuction.
Overall benefits of laser-assisted liposuction:
• Smaller incisions can often be used
• Large, unsightly scars are not common
• Quicker recovery times
• Less pain during recovery
• Possibility of helping with cellulite reduction
• Increased skin retraction and elasticity
The greatest overall benefit of using the laser is not skin tightening, because the amount of tightening varies patient to patient. Rather, it is the pass-through with the laser that seals off the blood vessels to reduce bruising and speed the recovery process which provides a much greater overall experience for our patients.
The laser is most beneficial in areas of the body where the skin is loose. This typically is the neck, abdomen, upper arms and knees. In these areas where we previously had to do a facelift, or a tummy tuck, or dissect skin, we can now often obtain skin contour and tightening so that these invasive procedures that leave unsightly scars are unnecessary.
People often ask me: How long does it take to see the benefits of the laser? In my experience it can take 3-6 months to see maximum skin tightening. It takes the body time to develop this new collagen and elastic tissue. Everyone’s body is different and some people will notice immediate results, for others it takes several months. Whatever you do, maintain patience and treat your body well because a major part of your final results with any surgery are dependent on your body’s natural healing processes that often move slower than we’d like.
I invite you to contact any of our locations to experience our professional services and see the Sono Bello difference for yourself.
Dr. Dennis Watkins, MD
Sono Bello Physician
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Sono Bello’s blog and all of its articles, posts and videos are the sole opinion of our physicians and in no way, shape or form is Sono Bello or its physicians offering medical advice to our readers. This content is not intended to supersede the medical advice of your primary care physician. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please refer to your primary care physician or doctor.
