According to the latest annual American Society of Plastic Surgeons Report on Cosmetic Surgery Trends in 2022, body contouring remains one of the most popular procedures performed worldwide. While breast augmentation topped the list of most popular surgeries – as it usually does- one of the procedures that experienced the most growth over the previous year was liposuction. New York-based board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh notes the amazing possibility of options available to patients who undergo liposuction.
Both of the major American Plastic Surgery organizations, ASPS and ASAPS provide their own annual statistical reports based on their membership surveys. The report is made up of projected numbers, based on procedural information reported to a national database by the respective society members. The data also incorporates survey results from physicians certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties, which includes plastic surgeons.
Surgical fat reduction has long proven to be a cosmetic surgery option, when the French Dr. Illouz adapted a gynecologic probe to suction fat from the subcutaneous plane. As the procedure gained popularity and became safer with the introduction of tumescent technique, increasing numbers of men and women have undergone body contouring procedures worldwide. While previous generations heard “liposuction” and envisioned someone having fat removed from their belly, the surgery is now about so much more (though abdominal fat removal is still a very common application).
Liposuction can remove excess fat from the neck, upper arms, flanks, belly, hips, thighs, backs, buttocks, upper back, and knees and even ankles (remember cankles!). It can reduce large pockets – such as love handles – and small ones – such as a double chin. Dr. Alizadeh has even utilized a novel hydrosolve technology which has been retooled to remove mesenteric fat from the intestines of type 2 diabetes patients with the aim of curing their diabetes although this technology is still in its initial pre-FDA trial phase.
These are numerous variations to suit each patient’s unique desires and needs, with techniques incorporating lasers, ultrasounds, as well as mechanical forms of energy to improve results and minimize trauma, both of which can lead to increased patient satisfaction.
Dr. Alizadeh and his team presented their work (provide the link to our web site) on the comparison of 3 various liposuction techniques namely laser, Ultrasound, and mechanical while taking exact measurements before and after surgery and noted there was about a 25% reduction in skin surface area regardless of the technology. This reinforces the fact that it is of paramount importance to pick the right surgeon as the technology is not as important as who and how it is applied.
On the nonsurgical front, Kybella has emerged as an exciting office based option that allows for an injected solution to help dissolve the fat without any incisons or scars! However the scope of amount and geography of Kybella is limited as is the recovery since it does cause swelling for a few days before the drug takes full effect and the results can take up to six weeks to reveal themselves.
The most exciting entry to the non-invasive neck contouring market is Myellevate which combines neck liposuction with use of energy devices and a permanent hammock like effect to suspend and elevate the neck profile and provide an improved jawline. Dr. Alizadeh performs this procedure under local anesthesia with the patient awake while comfortable as a lunch time procedure in about an hour while there is minimal pain and recovery.
In many cases, nonsurgical treatments complement and enhance surgical procedures. While a facelift addresses sagging tissue to provide a patient with new contours, injectables smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, while lasers and peels improve the tone and texture of facial skin. The ASPS and ASAPS annual statistical reports are not about highlighting competition between the two strategies, but providing tools to understand how patients around the country are choosing to make changes to their face and body.
In some cases, however, patients may choose one or the other – deciding between the injectable Kybella to reduce a double chin or liposuction to surgically remove the unwanted fat cells. The nonsurgical option offers gradual results with less downtime and healing required, while the surgical route provides a more dramatic and immediate result, but requires recuperation. An experienced plastic surgeon will guide anyone considering their options to the ideal treatment.
Find more information from New York plastic surgeon Dr. Kaveh Alizadeh at Alizadeh Cosmoplastic Surgery. Visit our Body Contouring page or call us at 646-665-1915.