Non-surgical fat reduction has gained popularity in the UK, with tens of thousands of women and men undergoing the treatment. The percentage of men among patients is increasing each year. Non-surgical fat reduction is seen as a non-invasive alternative to surgical liposuction. Many patients ask us if the treatment works. Here we discuss the pros and cons of nonsurgical fat reduction vs liposuction.
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Non-surgical fat reduction is often known as non-surgical liposuction, but in reality, it does not involve any liposuction at all. Liposuction is a minimally invasive body contouring procedure designed to remove areas of excess fat from unwanted body parts, such as the abdomen, hips or thighs. The surgeon makes small incisions to permit the insertion of a liposuction cannula. The cannula gently breaks up the fat cells before sucking them out, assisted by vacuum suction. This results in a permanent reduction in the number of fat cells in the treated area. Liposuction can be used for both smaller and larger areas, involving significant amounts of stubborn excess fat. Liposuction requires only one treatment to achieve permanent, long-term results, provided patients maintain a stable body weight. Although liposuction is a surgical procedure, the recovery period after the procedure is quick and smooth, with minimal risk of complications.
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Non-surgical liposuction can involve several different technologies, including laser, RF, cryolipolysis, or ultrasound. The principle of non-surgical fat reduction is to melt or destroy fat cells, which are then naturally eliminated from the body without the incisions or scars of liposuction surgery. Another non-invasive fat removal method involves the use of chemical injections containing deoxycholic acid (Aqualyx, Belkyra, or Lipodissolve). These injections act to destroy fat; however, there are several key downsides to this form of treatment. The treatments can be excruciating, and many treatment sessions are required, significantly adding to the overall treatment cost. It is also challenging to precisely control the spread of the injections. This lack of control can also lead to a high risk of skin irregularities. We do not use chemical injections of any form for fat removal at Centre for Surgery.
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There is usually no recovery period after non-surgical liposuction, although the technique cannot be used to treat significant areas of fatty deposits. Non-surgical fat reduction is limited to treating small, well-localised regions that do not shift despite diet and exercise, or for patients who may be medically unfit for surgery. Achieving the best results requires multiple treatment sessions, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
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What are the pros and cons of non-surgical fat reduction?
Nonsurgical fat reduction does not involve the potential risks of invasive surgery, as no incisions are made. There is, therefore, no recovery time with little or no swelling and discomfort after the procedure. Patients are not exposed to developing post-operative wound infection, which is a recognised risk of surgery. There is minimal pre-procedure preparation required, with most patients being able to undergo the treatment during their lunch break and return to work immediately afterwards.
Although the benefits can be attractive to many patients, the non-surgical fat reduction technique has certain limitations. Patients may require several treatments spaced over several weeks, and a treatment course can take many months to complete. All types of non-surgical fat reduction involve applying an external applicator to the skin, and it can be challenging to target the precise areas of fat needing reduction. Some patients may have fat in difficult-to-access areas or may have significant scar tissue, which can limit the potential results achievable from treatment. Unlike liposuction, where results can be assessed during the procedure, the surgeon cannot visualise where fat removal has occurred with non-surgical methods and must wait for multiple treatment sessions to assess the results. Results achievable with non-surgical liposuction are not as dramatic as those of liposuction surgery. They are not an effective treatment for individuals who require moderate to large amounts of fat removal.
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Why do Centre for Surgery recommend liposuction for the best results?
Liposuction, when performed by an expert plastic surgeon, is a highly effective procedure that allows the surgeon to sculpt and contour the body with superior accuracy and precision compared to non-invasive fat reduction methods. Newer radio-frequency assisted procedures, such as BodyTite, enable surgeons to both remove fat and tighten the skin without the scars associated with excess skin removal surgery, like a tummy tuck.
Non-surgical fat reduction can be a valuable alternative for individuals who need a little extra help reducing the prominence of small, well-localised areas of the body, such as the lower abdomen or upper arms, and are not keen on the idea of a surgical procedure. Centre for Surgery offers laser fat reduction for the effective treatment of fat deposits, eliminating the need for incisions and scars associated with traditional surgery.
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With non-invasive body contouring methods such as CoolSculpting®, the achievable results do not match those possible with properly performed surgical liposuction. If you are looking for a subtle result after multiple sessions, then CoolSculpting may be a suitable option. Anything more than that and the chances of disappointment are very high, not to mention the substantial costs of undergoing multiple treatment sessions. Laser fat reduction is an excellent alternative to CoolSculpting, and it can achieve better results for patients who are appropriately selected. Our surgeons regularly consult with patients who have undergone multiple sessions of non-surgical liposuction elsewhere using CoolSculpting and have often noticed little to no difference in their body shape. Liposuction alternatives do exist; however, we recommend surgical liposuction for substantial areas of fat reduction. This is because this technique is more effective at removing fat cells, tightening the skin, and changing the shape compared with other liposuction alternatives. Non-surgical methods are not recommended if you are seeking significant, visible results.
As a results-based practice, Liposuction at Centre for Surgery in London is a one-time procedure that allows our surgeons to sculpt and refine body contours through the targeted removal of body fat, achieving results that are well beyond those achieved with non-surgical methods.
If you would like to schedule a consultation to learn about the benefits of liposuction versus non-surgical fat reduction, please call us today at 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below. Our state-of-the-art Baker Street clinic in Marylebone is renowned for being the premier destination for liposuction in the UK, with hundreds of patients undergoing the procedure each year.
