How is Liposonix Different? New non-surgical fat reduction treatment at Shu Cosmetic Surgery!

Posted on February 14, 2013 by shucosmetic

There are a few new emerging fat reduction technologies on the market in Minnesota. Liposonix is one of the newest and among the most effective in fat reduction. Now, the people in Minneapolis and St Paul areas have a better option for their body contouring.

There are several advantages of Liposonix comparing to other options on the fat reduction in Minnesota.

Non-Surgical – Non-Invasive

Invasive fat reduction procedures, such as Liposuction, typically carry certain surgical risks and are associated with significant post-treatment recovery downtime. Even newer, minimally-invasive techniques still entail surgical procedures. Unlike these types of surgical fat reduction procedures, the Liposonix treatment is non-invasive and patients typically resume normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Custom Contouring™

Patients come in all shapes and sizes, and so does their fat. Other non-invasive body contouring devices can be limited in their ability to treat certain areas of fat and may require several hours and/or multiple treatment sessions to adequately address problem areas. The Liposonix system is highly versatile, allowing control over precisely how and where energy is delivered, for a truly customized treatment in a single one-hour session.

HIFU Technology

With many other non-invasive fat reduction technologies, such as radiofrequency and lasers, energy is highly absorbed or scattered near the skin surface, thereby limiting penetration into subcutaneous fat tissue and delivering only temporary results. Ultrasound energy, on the other hand, can be used to penetrate through the skin layers and into the targeted fat tissue without harming skin or surrounding tissues. Other ultrasound body contouring technologies often use low-intensity, low-frequency, or unfocused energy which can require multiple treatments and lead to unpredictable results. The Liposonix system uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy to non-invasively destroy targeted subcutaneous fat and deliver uniform, predictable results after a single one-hour treatment.

Highly Effective

Liposonix has shown to be a very effective technology in eliminating the body fat, with results of waistline reduction one inch after just one treatment. We have witnessed waistline reductions more than two inches with Liposonix in the past, which is atypical of most non-surgical fat reduction treatments. Other non-invasive body contouring devices may require several hours and/or multiple treatment sessions to adequately address problem areas and achieve the same results as Liposonix.

Liposonix in Minnesota: Proven Effective For Reduction of Adipose Tissue

Posted on February 6, 2013 by admin

Liposonix is the newest nonsurgical treatment for body contouring in Minnesota. It uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to disrupt adipocytes (fat cells) percutaneously. Afschin Fatemi, M.D. wanted to find out about Liposonix’s efficacy and effectiveness, so he conducted a study and found that out of his 282 patients that underwent a single HIFU treatment in the areas of their abdomen and flanks, the waist circumference decreased by an average of 4.7 cm after 1 treatment. The time required to complete treatment was approximately 45-60 minutes, and they were on patients of all ages with the average age of 41.3 years. Final size circumferences were seen at 12 weeks; however, there were noted size decreases at 8 weeks post procedure. The study also found that collagen denaturation from the heat of the machine resulted in new collagen formation and tightening of fibers and skin.

Another study conducted by Mark Jewell, M.D. found that on his 180 patients from 2009-2010; one HIFU treatment was associated with average reductions in waist circumference of 2.52 cm when the abdomen and flanks were treated. When looking at the histologies of the patients, it clearly showed that adipocytes are disrupted by HIFU and it was a safe distance from dermis and/or the epidermis.

So how does this technology work? The Liposonix technique delivers energy across the skin surface at a relatively low intensity, and brings this energy to a sharp focus in the subcutaneous fat. At the skin surface, the intensity of the ultrasound energy is low enough so that no damage occurs. The focusing of the ultrasound beam at specific depths beneath the epidermis, results in adipose tissue disruption. Once adipocytes have been disrupted, chemotactic signals activate the body’s inflammatory response mechanisms. Macrophage cells are attracted to the area to engulf and transport the lipids and cell debris. This results in an overall reduction in local adipose tissue volume. Therefore, Liposonix is a safe and effective technique for nonsurgical body sculpting for reduction of fat deposits.

Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Edina, MN owns the newest generation of Liposonix and offers complimentary consultation and 10% introductory rate in the first 3 months.

Liposonix in Minnesota

Posted on January 27, 2013 by admin

Liposonix is a revolutionary device in Minnesota that can reduce fat without surgery. Liposonix system uses high-intensity focused ultrasound energy, which penetrates through the skin layers and into the targeted fat without harming skin or surrounding tissues.

The Liposonix non surgical treatment is unique because of its high-energy output and high frequency; creating an acoustic and thermal effect that permanently destroys the fat cells in the target areas. Also it has the unique ability to focus its energy at specific depths in the fat without damaging surrounding tissue.

For it to work properly, at least one inch of fat thickness is required. Although one inch reduction does not seem like a lot, a lot of patients in Minnesota having liposuction for specific areas do not have that much. On the other hand, Liposonix treatment is great for someone with a moderate amount of fat who does not want to undergo liposuction surgery or the downtime of it. With one or two Liposonix treatments, it may equal liposuction results. Liposonix works just as well if you have a lot of fat; the results with one treatment may not be as marked as with one liposuction treatment which does not have such limits. In such cases, another treatment with Liposonix after 3 months would yield additional benefits.

Another advantage of Liposonix, is that if you are not a good surgical candidate due to medical problems, such as diabetes, you are probably still a candidate for Liposonix.

Compared to the Liposonix treatment, low-energy systems such as laser or radio-frequency are not able to reach the fat located deep below the outer layers of skin. This is because the energy these systems use is reflected and absorbed by the skin. The Coolsculpt is not as effective as the Liposonix in removing the fat, and Coolsculpt doesn’t tighten the skin as the Liposonix does.

The Liposonix treatment is not a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, or a way to lose weight but allows you to get rid of fat that will not go away no matter how many exercise you do.

Shu Cosmetic Surgery is the pioneer practice in Minnesota to offer the Liposonix treatment which uses noninvasive, high-intensity focused ultrasound to permanently destroy targeted fat without surgery, which may leave you with a slimmer, more contoured waistline.

Shu Cosmetic Surgery Announces New Liposonix Non-Invasive Fat Reduction Treatment | Minneapolis

Posted on January 5, 2013 by admin

One treatment, lasting one hour, to get one size smaller–without surgery. That’s Liposonix.

Shu Cosmetic Surgery is now offering Liposonix treatments, the latest in non-invasive fat reduction technology. Liposonix uses high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) energy to permanently destroy targeted fat cells without surgery. The Liposonix service officially starts in the 2nd week of January, 2013.

“Liposonix is a revolutionary non-surgical solution for people who are close to their ideal shape, but have stubborn areas of fat that just won’t go away no matter how much they exercise or diet. The procedure takes about one hour and, while individual results can vary, patients typically achieve a waistline reduction of approximately one inch (equivalent to one pant or dress size) within 8-12 weeks after receiving a single treatment,” said Dr. Steven Shu.

The Liposonix system technology was developed over a period of 10 years by leading scientists and ultrasound experts with more than 200 years of combined experience in the field of therapeutic and diagnostic ultrasound devices. It works by focusing ultrasound energy below the surface of the skin in order to heat only targeted fat tissue – similar to how light from the sun can be focused with a magnifying glass to create heat. The treated fat tissue is removed through the body’s natural healing process, leaving the patient with a thinner, more contoured waistline.

During the treatment, patient may experience some discomfort, cold, prickling, tingling or warmth. After treatment, patients may experience temporary redness or minimal bruising, discomfort, and swelling. There is no special post-care or special diet or exercise program required in order to achieve results. Patients typically resume normal activities immediately after the Liposonix procedure. Clinical studies of more than 200 patients, showed an average waist circumference reduction of approximately one inch (2.5 cm) at 12 weeks after a single Liposonix treatment. Liposonix is not intended for those that are pregnant or suspected to be pregnant. It is also not recommended for those who have a BMI >30 or for those who cannot “pinch an inch”.

Liposuction Tumescent Technique in Twin Cities, Minnesota

Posted on December 23, 2012 by admin

Many people don’t know that the modern tumescent liposuction was not invented by the plastic surgeon; it was actually invented by a dermatologist. Dr. Jeffrey Klein is a dermatologic surgeon practicing in California and invented the technique for tumescent local anesthesia and tumescent liposuction. Prior to1986, all liposuction surgeries were done under general anesthesia, were associated with significant surgical blood loss and prolonged post-operative recovery of two or more weeks. The advent of tumescent liposuction permitted liposuction to be done totally by local anesthesia with virtually no blood loss. Within a few years tumescent liposuction became the worldwide standard of care.

Many potential dangers and risks of liposuction are associated with general anesthesia, excessively large volumes of liposuction done on a single day, and combining liposuction with other unrelated procedures. Performing tumescent liposuction avoids all these risks factors. There is no general anesthesia associated post-operative nausea and vomiting. Patients typically return to work in one to two days and need only wear postoperative elastic support garments after their surgery. Many people are off their pain pills in a few days or even the next day and turn to Tylenol for postoperative analgesic. Today tumescent liposuction continues to be the world’s safest and most comfortable form of liposuction with the quickest recovery.

A Sleeker Body with Liposuction is a Possiblility for Minneapolis and St. Paul Residents at Shu Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on December 19, 2012 by admin

Many people are opting to get liposuction in Minneapolis. Liposuction can get rid of excess body fat safely and effectively. However, people who are considering liposuction Minneapolis need to be cognizant of the fact that there different types of liposuction available.

Laser liposuction is one of the many types of St. Paul liposuction. This procedure involves using laser energy to melt the fat in the targeted areas. Laser liposuction is best for people who want to remove fat from small areas of the body, such as the upper arms, neck or chin.

Vaser liposelection is another liposuction option. This procedure involves using ultrasound energy to break up and dissolve the fat cells in the targeted areas. This procedure is minimally-invasive and does not damage the surrounding nerves and tissues.

Aquashape liposuction is an advanced form of body jet lipo Minneapolis. This procedure involves using water jet pulsations to dislodge fat cells. Patients who get this procedure will recover quicker with less swelling and bruising. The fat that is removed during aquashape liposuction is undamaged. For that reason, it can be used during a fat transfer procedure, which is why many young patients opt to get this procedure. People who want a more athletic appearance may be a good candidate for Hi-def liposculpture. This is a procedure that involves selectively removing fat deposits from around the muscles. It is one of the newest types of body sculpting procedures. Many patients get hi-def liposculpture after they get liposuction Minneapolis. This procedure can be performed on the chest, abdomen, thighs, back, waist and arms. Most healthy people who have realistic expectations will be good candidates for aquashape liposuction, hi-def liposculpture, vaser liposuction or laser liposuction. People who are interested in getting any of these procedures should call and make an appointment with the plastic surgeon today.

History Behind Liposuction for Those Living in the Twin Cities

Posted on December 5, 2012 by admin

Liposuction has become one of the most commonly performed cosmetic surgeries in the world. Liposuction is a technique in which excess fatty tissue is suctioned from beneath the skin. There are several liposuction technologies available today. I’d like to review the history behind liposuction for those living in the Twin Cities.

Pre-liposuction period:

In 1921,Charles Dujarrier, in France, attempted to remove subcutaneous fat using a uterine curette on a dancer’s calves and knees. A tragic result of gangrene occurred due to injury of the femoral artery leading to amputation of one of the dancer’s legs. In 1964, Schrudde extracted fat from the lower leg through a small incision with a curette. Irregular results with high morbidity, seromas, and bleeding occurred with this technique.

Modern liposuction period:

In 1974, Dr. Giorgio Fischer, a gynecologist from Italy invented the original form of liposuction.

French physicians Illouz and Fournier further developed liposuction around 1978. By 1980, liposuction was extremely popular in the United States but was confronting negative publicity due to patients experiencing excessive bleeding and undesirable rippling of the skin after surgery.

In 1985, Dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey A. Klein, a California Dermatologist, invented the tumescent technique for liposuction, revolutionizing liposuction surgery. Tumescent is a solution composed of lidocaine (a local anesthetic) saline, and epinephrine (a drug that constricts blood vessels to reduce bleeding during surgery). His “Tumescent Technique” allowed patients to have liposuction performed totally by local anesthesia using much smaller cannulas. Patients could now have liposuction surgery without general anesthesia and without the fear of excessive bleeding and undesirable skin depressions.

In the late 1990s, the first generation of ultrasound device was introduced to facilitate the fat removal by first liquefying the fat using ultrasonic energy. The Vaser, the third generation of ultrasound becomes a popular modern liposuction technology to achieve the superior results while minimizing the complication rate. Technologies relating to the use of laser tipped probes which induce a thermal lipoysis have been introduced recently and help to skin to become tighter after the procedure due to the heat that is given off from the probe. More recently, AquaShape with the Body-jet technology claims the least trauma in liposuction. It harnesses the pulsations of a water-jet, gently and efficiently dislodging and washing out the fat without damaging the nerves and vessels.

Overall, the advantages of 30 years of improvements have been that more fat cells can be removed, with less blood loss, less discomfort, and less risk; leading to a shorter recovery period.

Getting the Facts on Minneapolis / St. Paul Liposuction Procedures

Posted on November 25, 2012 by admin

Liposuction at Shu Cosmetic in Minneapolis / St. Paul area offers a way to slim down areas of the body that exercise and diet don’t seem to touch. This cosmetic procedure has come a long way from its early days in the 1980s. Today, the basic procedure is to make microscopic incisions and use a long narrow tube to selectively remove fat cells. A good surgeon will use various techniques to get the best results.

Shu Cosmetic Surgery in Minneapolis offers four different types of liposuction:

Laser liposuction uses a laser to liquefy the fat cells. The body absorbs the liquefied cells and the treated area is slimmer as a result. This procedure is great for small areas like the chin and neck areas. Because the fat is absorbed back into the body, the doctor cannot use it for re-sculpting other areas of the body.
Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound waves to break down and release fat cells. Then the surgeon goes in and removes the loosened cells. This procedure is easier on the body than the traditional procedure. It allows the surgeon to target specific points of fat without leaving uneven areas.
AquaShape liposuction is a great option for those who want to remove fat from one location and use it to sculpt another one. The surgeon uses a gentle spray of water to dislodge fat cells. Then using gentle suction, the fat cells become available for injection into other parts of the body. It is a great option for natural breast augmentation and butt lifts.
Hi-Def liposuction is a great option for those who want more muscle definition. Those who exercise often get frustrated by small pockets of fat that prevent their muscle definition from showing through. This type of liposuction removes these small pockets and gives the body a better defined shape.

At Shu Cosmetic Surgery, we know that one technique may not be enough for some patients. That is why we look at each case and work out a treatment plan to give each patient their unique look.

General Anesthesia Drives Adverse Events | Minneapolis

Posted on November 13, 2012 by admin

The use of general anesthesia in conjunction with cosmetic surgery (e.g. liposuction) has been shown to significantly increase the risk for adverse events in office-based surgery. The new data published in the February issue of Dermatologic Surgery, 2012 (Dermatol Surg. 2012;38:171-179) states that two-thirds of deaths and three-quarters of hospital transfers were performed under general anesthesia as opposed to local anesthesia.

The study, derived from 10-year data from Florida and 6-year data from in Alabama, “confirms trends that have been previously identified in earlier analyses of this data,” write the authors, led by John Starling III, MD, from the Skin Cancer Center, Cincinnati, and the Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio.

309 adverse events were reported in Florida, consisting of 46 deaths and 263 complications or hospital transfers, the majority of these as a result of cosmetic surgery done under general anesthesia. In Alabama, 52 adverse events were reported, consisting of 3 deaths and 49 complications or hospital transfers. 89% of these had a causal link to general anesthesia, and 42% were cosmetic surgeries. Pulmonary complications, including pulmonary emboli and pulmonary edema, were implicated in many deaths in both states.

Plastic surgeons were linked to nearly 45% of all reported complications in Florida and 42.3% in Alabama, write the researchers. No clear correlation was seen in regards to office accreditation, board certification, or hospital privileges.

According to commentary from C. William Hanke, MD, of the Laser and Skin Surgery Center of Indiana, three patient safety practices he recommends are “(1) Keep the patient awake!… 2) Think twice before supporting a patient’s desire for liposuction that is to be done in conjunction with abdominoplasty under general anesthesia…. 3) [B]e advocates for prospective, mandatory, verifiable adverse event reporting…[that] should include data from physician offices, ambulatory surgical centers, and hospitals to define and quantify problems that can be largely prevented and eliminated.”

The authors and editorialist were especially critical of liposuction done under general anesthesia. “No deaths occurred in the setting of local anesthesia. Liposuction under general anesthesia accounted for 32% of cosmetic procedure-related deaths and 22% of all cosmetic procedure-related complications,” the researchers write.

Dermatol Surg. 2012;38:171-179. Article abstract, Commentary extract.

Dr. Shu Performs Different Liposuction Procedures in Minneapolis

Posted on October 29, 2012 by admin

What Is Minnesota Liposuction?

Liposuction is a procedure that involves using a cannula to remove fat from different areas of the body. Thanks to the advances in medical technology, people who want to get liposuction in Minnesota have different options. Hi-def liposuction, vaser liposuction, laser liposuction and body jet liposuction are four of the most popular types of liposuction MN.

What Is Body Jet lipo Minneapolis?

Body jet lipo is a procedure that involves using a water jet to remove excess fat. This water dislodges the fat so that it can be removed from the patient’s body. Body jet lipo does not require general anesthesia. It can also be completed in less than 45 minutes. Additionally, there is minimal bruising and swelling associated with this procedure.

What Is Laser liposuction Minneapolis?

As the name suggests, laser liposuction involves using a laser to melt away the unwanted fat. This method of liposuction is ideal for treating small areas of the body, such as the upper arms and chin. It is important to note that the fat that is melted during laser liposuction cannot be used for a fat transfer procedure, such as natural breast augmentation.

What Is Vaser Liposuction?

Vaser liposuction involves using ultrasound energy to destroy the fat cells. Even though this procedure destroys the fat cells, it does not affect the surrounding tissues and nerves. This procedure is ideal for removing fat in large areas of the body. However, the fat that is emulsified cannot be used for a fat transfer procedure.

What Is Hi-Def Liposuction?

Hi-def liposuction is one of the newest forms of St. Paul Liposuction. It is the ideal choice for people who are already physically fit because it can sculpt the body and create a more athletic appearance. Hi-def liposuction is performed using the vaser liposuction system.