Breast Augmentation and Liposuction Blog - Dr. Bottger

A number of newer trends emerged at the recent American Society of Plastic Surgeons meeting in Seattle.

In regard to facial rejuvenation more emphasis is being placed on volume and restoration in the form of fat grafting. By using very small cannula's, fat removed by liposuction, typically from the abdomen, is injected into the face. Such volume restoration to the upper and lower eyelids may circumvent the need for more aggressive class blepharoplasty procedures which actually remove fat and may produce a more gaunt or skeletalized appearance. Grafting of the cheek regions may also be added to various face lifting techniques to recreate the volume associated with a youthful face.

A number of panels and discussions focused on newer techniques for fat removal. Smart and slim liposuction utilizes a laser attached cannula's which vaporize fat cells. The resultant liquefied fat is subsequently removed by standard aspiration.

Bodylite is a new device which utilizes radio waves to break up and destroy or "melt" fat cells. This device has not yet been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.

Supposed advantages of these newer techniques include reduced bruising and swelling and potentially increased skin tightening. Thus far, however, no definitive evidence was shown showing that the newer liposuction methods produce any better results than can be obtained with standard tumescent technique.