Gynecomastia Surgery, Gizmos & Gadgets
Often, patients ask about the latest piece of high-tech equipment being used in gynecomastia plastic surgery.
Most inquiries are about liposculpture and laser liposuction, a device also known as:
- SmartLipo
- SlimLipo
- Lifesculpt
Here’s my take on laser liposuction:
All three devices can melt fat. Nonetheless, the melted fat is usually suctioned out although some plastic surgeons just let it be absorbed by the body.
Surgeons who suction the melted fat out claim to have better results.
Two main advantages with lasers are usually mentioned:
- The instrument that penetrates the skin is tiny—only the size of a thick syringe needle (about one millimeter thick)
- Heat generated by the laser supposedly shrinks the skin from the inside
But as far as I’m concerned, the jury is still out.
More important to gynecomastia surgery, none claim that laser liposuction will melt breast tissue (gland) which is very thick and fibrous. Breast tissue in gynecomastia must be removed with a scalpel.
Well, what about skin tightening? Actually, skin tightening also takes place during tumescent liposuction.
The real question is: does laser liposuction produce more skin tightening than standard liposuction.
Who knows?
I am totally opened-minded about the topic but modern medicine is also evidence-based medicine. And so far, nobody has produced a scientific paper nailing down that assertion.
Plus, as the owner of a small business, I must question the value of ponying up $150,000 or more for a device that may, or may not, tighten skin only slightly more.
As far as I can tell, laser lipo surgeons charge patients substantially more for their fat removal – perhaps to help pay for their new machines.
Moreover, most of the other claims – minimal incisions, bruising and swelling – I can already provide with the tumescent liposuction I have on hand.
Now, what is liposculpture?
Using the smallest and most delicate treatment instruments, liposculpture (technically known as “liposculpture suction lipectomy”) is the delicate surgical art that sculpts fat from the body to get the smoothest, most symmetrical results possible.
Frequently done to allow well developed muscles to shine through, liposculpture is extremely popular with body builders who, in their own jargon, want to lose their “bitch tits.”
By the way, most male breast reduction surgery and liposculpture is done with traditional liposuction equipment!
Judge for yourself: view some bodybuilder gynecomastia surgery before and after pictures.