Q-Tips on.. NON-SURGICAL LIPOSUCTION

This month, our columnist, cosmetic doctor, and founder of Luxe Skin Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) looks at his favourite non-surgical alternatives to liposuction

The era of tummy tucks is fading fast as this procedure is being overtaken by the less invasive non-surgical liposuction with the former being reserved for extreme cases. Various devices are trying to claim their place in this ever-popular category. Most energy devices aim at breaking down fat. This lipolysis is achieved using ultrasound, radiofrequency and, more recently, electromagnetic technology. However, this is not liposuction but assisted lipolysis. I have come across three methods which I believe give great results for fat removal.

TRADITIONAL VACUUM LIPOSUCTION

This is the simplest technique. It involves infiltrating the subcutaneous layer with tumescent anaesthesia. This usually consists of normal saline, adrenaline, lidocaine and sodium bicarbonate. This is followed by the insertion of a liposuction cannula containing several side holes. The cannula is then advanced back and forth breaking up the fat. A vacuum suction machine extracts the fat through the cannula which is then collected in a container. The procedure is effective but does require muscle power and performing this on large areas results in operator fatigue. Local trauma can also occur resulting in bruising. The fat harvested has a low survival rate for lipofilling.

VASER LIPOSUCTION

This seems to be the favourite choice, in the UK at least. Also known as ultrasound-assisted liposuction, it utilises ultrasound to fragment and emulsify fat cells. VASER infiltrates tumescent along with tiny gas bubbles. An ultrasound probe is inserted resulting in acoustic destruction of these gas bubbles dislodging fat clusters. These fat cells are then aspirated with a special cannula. VASER has several advantages over the standard liposuction technique being less traumatic for the patient and reducing the effort required on the part of the doctor, thus decreasing doctor fatigue. However, the ultrasound heats up the skin, so the contact time is limited to avoid thermal injury. The fat recovered has less survival rate than using water-assisted liposuction.

BODY-JET LIPOSUCTION

Water-assisted liposuction is quite popular in Europe and the US but not so much in the UK. However, its use in the UK is increasing. Body-Jet is a great alternative to VASER. It uses water jet pressure instead of ultrasound to dissect the subcutaneous layer and dislodge fat cells. Whereas VASER requires a three-processes approach with infiltration, ultrasound followed by suction, Body-Jet uses a two-process technique. The tumescent is infiltrated with the fan-shaped water jet. In the suction stage, further jet sprays of the tumescent can be done to dislodge fat cells simultaneously. Body-Jet states that its technology is much gentler, causing less harm to the surrounding tissues while using 70% less tumescent allowing realtime body contouring. The fat extracted has a much higher viability for autologous fat transfer than with other methods. The procedure time is less compared to traditional liposuction resulting in less operator fatigue.

My favourite: Body-Jet.

DR USMAN QURESHI

Dr Usman Qureshi (aka Dr Q) is a cosmetic doctor and founder of Luxe Skin by Doctor Q in Glasgow. He focuses on non-surgical and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.