Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with liposuction

Lasers are cool. Literally.

pzarquon — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:16:52 -0800

Where can I find level-headed, researched, sound information on "cold lasers" or "low-level lasers" as medical treatments? I've been tasked with researching something called "cold lasers" or "low-level lasers" as medical tools, which is apparently used both for post-procedure pain reduction, as well as a "non-invasive" way to achieve liposuction-like weight-loss results. Unfortunately, the latter use means just about everything on the web about the technology comes across as a hard pitch for a sketchy treatment.

As far as I can tell, manufacturers and brand names include Erchonia, Zerona, CoolLipo, and the like.

Just about every mention, whether for pain or weight loss, talk about FDA approval. But I can't find any specific FDA report or listing, nor any details on the laser's approved uses. Is there a handy list anywhere of all the FDA approved things out there? And a search of the "reputable" web resources that I can think of like WebMD have very little to say.

The assertion is that these techniques are so new, that there's limited information available. But that's also what you'd say if you wanted to sell me snake oil.

On the other hand, it appears a lot of "reputable" (though I will put that in quotes), or at least established, clinics that do plastic surgery offer this, usually as one of many options. More than a few local TV stations have done segments, as YouTube demonstrates. But cosmetic surgery as a whole is already a mixed bag -- where a dentist or other outpatient practitioners could easily be moonlighting in liposuction.

This eHow article is just about the only fairly level-headed write up I can find. Everything else merely repeats the same points about how awesome these lasers are. Is there any "there" there, or are people basically switching the price tags on a PowerPoint laser pointer and selling hope?

Give me the skinny on your lipo experiences.

mykescipark — Sat, 06 May 2006 05:23:43 -0800

Talk to me about yr lipo experiences. So, I note the prior question about liposuction here, and while it's similar, my question is a bit further down the process-line.

I have a doctor, I have the arrangements, I have a date booked. In short, I'm doing it.

To "set the stage," as it were, it's going to be relatively minor: a bit of "clean-up" from the days when I was 250 pounds (versus my ~175 now) to get rid of the overhang on all sides that I just can't kick through six-mile-a-day runs, weight training, and a reasonably-well-observed eating regimen. I have about 5-10 extra pounds of body stuff that I just can't kick. This is more of a body-sculpting sort of maneuver, then, in the scheme of things.

The procedure will be Tumescent SAL (Suction-Assisted), not UAL (Ultrasonic-Assisted), with no general anaesthesia (obviously).

I am a 29-year-old white male, FWIW, but both male and female perspectives are welcome: Any personal experiences to relate on having this procedure done? Discomfort during the procedure? Post-surgical mobility? These are topics for my doc (with whom I am also discussing them), but I always enjoy the real-life AskMeFi perspective.

I know, for one, that YMMV, and I am not in any way construing this as medical advice, so no IANAD necessary.

Liposuction advice sought

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 13:53:10 -0800

I have been thinking lately about getting some kind of liposuction done on the assal/upper thigh region (to clarify, nothing drastic, probably only a few pounds if that much). What should I look for in terms of price, doctor's qualifications, safety issues, etc.?