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Alternatives to Lipo

According to Dr. James Vogel, liposuction is ideal for people who are already close to a healthy body weight and seek surgery to address areas of fat stubborn to diet and exercise. Technological advancements have resulted in several nonsurgical options to reduce pockets of fat. Because these options are noninvasive, they are more cost-effective for consumers in terms of the pricing of the procedures and experiencing little to no postsurgical downtime from work and other daily activities.

  1. Velasmooth

    • Velasmooth uses a Food and Drug Administration-approved medical device that uses radiofrequency and optical light energy to melt cellulite. The Velasmooth process heats the surface of the skin, thereby improving blood circulation, and relieves muscle aches. Velasmooth may be used to smooth both large and small areas of skin. It is useful on the neck, hips, abdomen, flanks, bra line, calves, arms and buttocks.

    Thermage

    • Promoted by the "Dr. Oz" show, Thermage was explained by Dr. Doris Day as an effective treatment for the loss of skin elasticity that is experienced by women in their 40s. Thermage tightens sagging skin, smoothes wrinkles and stimulates collagen generation in the skin. It is a hand-held device that works by radiofrequency. Because of its size, it may be used on the face, under the eyes, chin, neck and hands. Similar to the contouring benefits of liposuction, Thermage is also used to tighten skin under the arms, stomach and buttocks.

    Lipodissolve

    • Lipodissolve, also referred to as "lunchtime lipo," involves receiving injections of the primary ingredient, phosphatidylcholine. Phosphatidylcholine is approved by the FDA as a cardiovascular drug to break down fats in the blood. It is not, however, approved for use as a localized fat injection. The first public concern with lipodissolve is that the total ingredient list is not standard. It is administered with varying medications depending on the treating physician. Secondly, while many patients have reported positive results with the procedure, there are many others who have openly complained of severe allergic reactions to the substances they were given, including a complete skin breakdown resembling a flesh-eating virus or bacteria.

    Zerona Laser

    • Zerona therapy is FDA-approved and uses a cold laser to externally penetrate fat cells, liquefying and shrinking them. Once emulsified, fat tissue moves into extracellular space to by absorbed and eventually flushed out by the patient's lymphatic system. With liposuction that uses laser therapy, fat tissue is suctioned out immediately through a stainless steel tube, making it invasive.

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