Mini Liposuction: Eliminate Trouble Areas With Little Downtime

Most people have stubborn fat deposits that don't respond to exercise or a healthy diet, even people who are thin. Liposuction has been used for decades to eliminate these problem areas, but it has its limitations. Liposuction means a recovery period, wearing a compression garment for weeks, and potential skin irregularities after the fat removal. It's also designed for larger areas of the body.

If you're close to your ideal weight and want to slim down your figure in small areas, mini-liposuction just may be the key.

What is Mini Liposuction?

Mini lipo is actually quite different than liposuction in several ways. Mini liposuction is a much shorter procedure that is also more straightforward. It requires smaller incisions, and it's often done using laser technology, similar to laser liposuction, to melt fat so the body can remove it naturally. The recovery time is also much shorter, and you can return to normal activities and work very quickly. Mini-lipo is designed for people who are within 10% of their ideal body weight but want to address a few problem areas.

Mini lipo is typically performed under local anesthesia only, not general anesthesia, which has a higher risk of complications. The procedure requires very small incisions that will be virtually invisible once healed. Miniature cannulas are used to suction away unwanted fat, or the procedure may be performed using the laser liposuction technique, which melts fat in the body. Less than two and a half pounds is usually removed from each treatment area, and the procedure itself usually takes about an hour.

Mini liposuction has fewer risks than traditional lipo, and it comes with a much faster recovery with less discomfort. You can return to work and regular activities very quickly, and the cost is lower than regular liposuction as well.

Best Areas for Mini Lipo

While mini lipo can be performed on virtually any area of the body, it's designed specifically for small fatty deposits. Unlike traditional liposuction, it can be used to treat small areas that require a more delicate approach, including under the chin, near the armpits, the ankles, knees and neck. It can also be used to address common problem areas like the flanks, stomach, thighs and buttocks.

If you're bothered by small problem areas and love the idea of fine-tuning your body, mini-liposuction may be an option. You will need to schedule an initial consultation to make sure you are a good fit, which includes a medical history and an evaluation of your problem areas.

Sources:

Liposuction. What is Liposuction?
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/liposuction.html

Local anesthesia - Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_anesthesia