Alternatives When Considering Liposuction
By Dave Lavinsky, Thu Dec 8th

One alternative method to traditional and tumescent liposuctionis mesotherapy. Mesotherapy involves a series of injections ofvarying ingredients. According to advocates of this method, theinjected fluid breaks down fatty pockets effectively and is themost minimally invasive of the liposuction techniques.Generally, it is not a more cost-effective method of getting ridof fat; on average each session costs around $500, and requiresmultiple repeat sessions to achieve the desired affect. Thistechnique is controversial, and doctors encourage patients tocarefully research options prior to deciding on this technique.

Doctors who regularly perform mesotherapy on patients claim thatthe mixes of chemicals injected under the skin literally meltthe fat away. They also claim that not only does mesotherapyfight fat, it can also be used to treat backaches, headaches andneck pain. These surgeons are quick to cite a 1994-95 studyclaiming that those receiving the injections lost weight evenwithout diet and exercise.

The American Association of Plastic Surgeons (AAPS) says thatmesotherapy is not a guaranteed safe or effective method ofremoving excess fat, citing a lack of research data andevidence. Other critics call the method “too good to be true,”and do not find the claims to melt fat away credible. They alsosay that while mesotherapists assert that risk factors are slimand downtime virtually non-existent, no one is quite sure whatingredients these chemical cocktails contain. Some may usevarious plant extracts, others chemical combinations or mixes ofboth. The general consensus among physician members of the AAPSis that it cannot be determined to be safe or effective untilmore hard data and case studies are performed.

Many other alternatives to liposuction are available toconsumers. Most are unsupported by the AAPS but are widelyavailable on the Internet and through TV Informercials. Thesemethods tend to have extremely varied results, and are notsupported by medical research or studies. Most of thesealternative methods are based on the do-it-yourself principleand are backed by testimonials from past and present users ofthe product.

In the fast-paced world as we live in, many are not satisfiedunless they achieve immediate results. Liposuction orliposuction alternatives seem to be the best route to go formany. It is safe to say that liposuction is not for everyone andoften the risks will outweigh the benefits. According to theFood and Drug Administration, the only safe and effectivealternative to liposuction is the tried and true route of dietand exercise. The FDA also suggests that people learn to acceptthe way they look and embrace who they are. The bottom line isthat as one begins his or her search, they will likely beoverwhelmed with advertisements and an overload of informationto process. The best advice is to consult with a qualifiedcosmetic surgeon who will objectively review an individual’sneeds and weigh the risks and benefits of any given procedure.

About the author:Liposuction Infoprovides comprehensive information on the costs of standard,tumescent, and abdominal liposuction, “before and after”information, liposuction alternatives, and more. LiposuctionInfo is the sister site of Tummy Tuck Web.