Cryolipolysis Revision

Cryolipolysis is one of many new techniques for fat reduction treatment without surgery. Many patients who undergo these relatively new procedures find that they are unsatisfied with the results. After treatment with cryolipolysis in particular, many patients find the results uneven and asymmetrical; there may even be indentations where the machine was placed on their bodies.

Other Non-Surgical Fat Reduction Treatments

In addition to the fat freezing procedure, other currently popular approaches include radiofrequency and cold laser treatments. Radiofrequency body contouring claims to tighten skin while removing fat by selectively heating tissues under the surface of the skin. The principle is similar to how microwave ovens use high-frequency radio waves to heat food. Alternatively, cold laser treatments offer another approach to lipolysis that breaks down the walls around fat cells. Faster than the other non-invasive options, cold laser treatment may still take a few weeks for visible results.

When to Consider Revision Treatment

Immediately following a non-surgical fat reduction treatment, the results can be difficult to discern. Lipolysis, which seeks to dissolve fat cells without surgery, does not remove fat deposits as part of the procedure. Rather, the body is allowed to remove the affected fat deposits over the weeks and months following treatment. While there is no standard waiting period after cryogenic lipolysis, Dr. Franckle will be happy to discuss your options in a private consultation. It is important to evaluate all the options when considering revision treatment.

Our Revision Process

Rather than relying on the sometimes inconsistent results of non-surgical alternatives, we prefer to address stubborn fat deposits with a conventional course of liposuction treatment. Patients drawn to non-surgical fat reduction treatment are often intimidated by the fact that liposuction is a surgical procedure that can be followed by an uncomfortable recovery period. With liposuction, however, only a small incision is required, and the treatment can be contained to a small area for the purpose of targeted revision. Unlike the guesswork of fat freezing, which requires several weeks to evaluate how much fat was affected, liposuction has the advantage of immediately visible results. Swelling and bruising may initially follow liposuction, but the surgeon knows exactly how much fat has been removed.

Weighing the Options

Advocates of non-invasive procedures emphasize how these alternatives tend to include minimized bruising and shorter recovery periods. Recovery after liposuction tends to involve a period of downtime before the patient can return to normal physical activities, which can be a significant inconvenience. Patients nervous about the idea of surgery may also opt for non-invasive alternatives because they are advertised as relatively safe, even though the long-term effects of fat freezing and radiofrequency treatment are still uncertain. Ultimately, the patient should research the available options and their potential drawbacks, keeping in mind that liposuction isn’t always the best option for every patient, especially for very minor revisions.

However, revision with liposuction provides more immediate results, and the procedure can be easily adapted to remove larger deposits of unwanted fat. Additional risks accompany liposuction, like the possibility of infection, but the procedure has been popular since the 1980s, and techniques have been progressively improved over the decades. A consultation is the best way to find out whether you would be a good candidate for this form of revision treatment, but liposuction ultimately offers more thoroughly proven results than the newer non-invasive alternatives.