SLIM™ Laser Liposuction

When trying to lose weight, many people experience one or more areas on the body where they cannot seem to get rid of fat, despite their best efforts.  Frustrated by their lack of success with conventional methods such as diet and exercise, many people turn to cosmetic surgery to achieve their personal goals and attain the body image they desire.

Manufactured by Palomar™ Medical, the SLIM™ Laser Liposuction system is a revolutionary liposuction technique that uses tiny laser fibers to melt away fat cells and slim targeted areas of the body for an overall improved body contour.  This procedure melts up to five times more fat than other laser liposuction procedures and is considered safe for most patients.

Liposuction has been performed for many years using conventional methods that involve a fluid into targeted areas and then suctioning the fat out.  This procedure is performed under local or general anesthesia and involves a lengthy recovery before returning to work and other regular activities.  New technology led to the development of tumescent liposuction, which requires only a local anesthetic and inflates the fat for easier removal.

Candidates for SLIM Laser Liposuction

SLIM, which stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting, is the first FDA-approved laser-assisted lipolysis system and provides effective removal of fat deposits from nearly any area of the body, regardless of size, location or amount of fat.  Some of the most common areas for SLIM liposuction treatment include the:

• Thighs
• Abdomen
• Arms
• Back
• Hips
• Buttocks
• Chest
• Face

Many patients also choose to combine this procedure with other cosmetic treatments, such as a facelift, breast reduction or tummy tuck, in order to achieve maximum results. 

Technology Used

The SLIM laser liposuction system uses a combination of 924 and 975nm wavelengths to effectively more fat than other laser liposuction procedures.  Most other procedures today use higher wavelengths that cannot achieve the precise, selective removal of fat that the unique SLIM system can. 

Dr. Garvey can easily liquefy and melt away fat tissue to treat larger areas of the body while still maintaining the minimally invasive advantages of this procedure.

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Benefits of SLIM Laser Liposuction

SLIM laser liposuction offers patients many benefits over the traditional liposuction procedure, including:

Only the fat cells are destroyed, unlike standard liposuction procedures that can affect all tissue in the area.  The SLIM laser system also tightens skin during the procedure to eliminate the need for additional treatments.

This treatment also offers many benefits for your doctor, including faster treatment times, improved visualization and a wider patient base, as SLIM liposuction can be performed on many patients who would not be considered candidates for the traditional procedure.

SLIM Laser Liposuction Procedure

The SLIM laser liposuction procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours, depending on the size of the area being treated and the amount of fat being removed.  The local anesthetic is injected into the targeted area before laser energy is delivered.  The laser causes the fat cells to rupture and liquefy, making them easier to suction out of the body.  The laser also causes the blood vessels and collagen within the skin to coagulate, leaving the skin firm with reduced bleeding and swelling.

Recovery from SLIM Laser Liposuction

After SLIM laser liposuction, patients can often return to work and other regular activities the very next day.  The results of the procedure can sometimes be visible right away, and will continue to improve for several months as the area heals.  Like traditional liposuction, results are considered permanent unless the patient gains a significant amount of weight after treatment.

Risks and Complications

SLIM laser liposuction is considered safe for most patients with no risk of any serious or long-term complications.  There is also a lower risk of side effects such as bruising, bleeding and swelling than with conventional liposuction because of the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. 

Women who are pregnant or patients taking certain medications should not undergo this procedure.  Dr. Garvey will help you decide whether or not this procedure is right for you after a physical exam and thorough evaluation of your medical history.

To learn more about the many benefits of SLIM Laser Liposuction, please call us today to schedule a consultation.

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