| For people unhappy with their liposuction results or | | | | two to three days, less time than traditional |
| who have smaller problem areas of fat that will | | | | liposuction recovery, to protect the wound and |
| not go away, there are further options to achieve | | | | help tighten the skin. Compared with traditional |
| their desired look. One option is the procedure | | | | liposuction, cool lipo results in little discomfort or |
| known as cool lipo, or touch lipo. It is similar to | | | | bruising. Most patients can return to their normal |
| normal liposuction, but is less invasive and used on | | | | activities the day after the procedure, although |
| small regions that original liposuction has failed to, | | | | the recovery process will vary with each individual. |
| or cannot, treat. Such areas could be the | | | | Results will be noticeable within a week, and the |
| abdomen, male breasts, buttocks, and thighs. It is | | | | skin texture and tightness will continue to improve |
| also very effective in places where the skin tends | | | | for the following two to six months. Because of |
| to sag, such as under the chin, the knees, and the | | | | the unique wavelength of cool lipo's laser, there is |
| back of the arm. | | | | very little risk of pigmentary changes to the skin, |
| Cool lipo is performed using an injected local | | | | and because it is a laser being inserted, rather |
| anesthetic to numb the intended area, rather than | | | | than microcannules (the tubes used in traditional |
| general anesthesia which puts a patient at risk for | | | | liposuction), results will be smoother because the |
| complications. Once the area is numb, an incision is | | | | laser is more precise. |
| made and a laser is inserted just below the skin. | | | | Cool lipo is also no more expensive than traditional |
| The laser releases energy that liquefies the | | | | liposuction. In New York, for example, both |
| unwanted fat and stimulates new collagen to | | | | procedures on various body parts range between |
| grow over time, tightening the skin over the new | | | | $2000 and $7500. |
| shape of the body, something normal lipo does | | | | Like liposuction, cool lipo is not permanent. Only a |
| not do. Once dissolved, the fat will either be | | | | healthy lifestyle can prevent fat cells from building |
| removed or left for the body to absorb. The | | | | in treated areas again, but cool lipo gives patients |
| whole procedure usually takes about one to three | | | | a boost by removing the initial fat cells. As with |
| hours, depending on the area being altered. | | | | any lipo treatment it is important to discuss a |
| Recovery from cool lipo is simple. A compressive | | | | patient's options, candidacy, expectations, and the |
| dressing is worn on the treated area for about | | | | procedure beforehand with a medical expert. |