John F. Flory, M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
5155 Bradenton Ave
Dublin, OH 43017
Tel: 614-822-0202
4461 St. Rt. 159 Ste C
Chillicothe, OH 45601
Tel: 800-459-0236
Image Directed Outpatient Plastic Surgery
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS
Joint Commission Accredited on-site Surgery Center
Types of Lipoplasties - continued
Laser Assisted Lipoplasty (LAL)
Laser assisted lipoplasty first became available in 2006 under the name of SmartLipo by Cynosure, Inc. It uses a very small solid canula that transfers laser energy through fiber-optics to the end of the cannula. The laser energy disrupts the fat cells and delivers heat energy to surrounding structures with results similar to those of UAL. It differs from ultrasound in that it acts on a much smaller area, thus making it less painful but also much slower. It is generally used only for selected difficult small areas. Because it uses a laser however, it is frequently perceived by the public to be "high tech". This gives it a large advantage in terms of marketing. Unfortunately there is little evidence that the results obtained with laser assisted lipoplasty are any better than UAL or even SAL for most areas.
Focused Transcutaneous Ultrasound Assisted Lipoplasty (FTUAL)
Focused Transcutaneous ultrasound therapy is currently is not available in the United States. It is a non-invasive procedure that passes ultrasound through the skin while focusing it on targeted fat beneath the skin. Only the fat in the area of focused energy is significantly affected and destroyed. This technology is marketed under the name of UltraShape in Europe. In the United States it is still pending FDA clearance under the name of LipoSonix. It requires multiple treatments since it only destroys small amounts of fat with each treatment. The destroyed fat is broken down and metabolized by the body.
Lipostabil®, Lipodissolve, Lipo-zap, Flab-Jab, Mesotherapy, Lipotherapy, Injection Lipolysis
None of these procedures are FDA approved! They all involve the injection of fat dissolving ingredients in various combinations. Although some of the drugs have FDA approval for specific uses, the combination of drugs is considered a "new drug" and has not been adequately studied nor approved for use by the FDA. People undertaking these therapies are doing so at their own risk as there is no scientific documentation as to their effectiveness nor their safety.
Click Here for "ASPS Guiding Principles for Mesotherapy/Injection Lipolysis"
