Lunch-hour lipo: the dream cosmetic procedure?

- Read Vanessa's story
- Before and after photos

Liposuction, the process of removing unwanted fat cells from parts of the body, is more popular than ever. In the last year there was a 90% increase in the number of people undergoing the procedure, and a recent BBC Survey found that that 50% of women asked said they would consider plastic surgery, and of those 32% would opt for liposuction.

It's a depressing fact of life that there are some bits of flab that no amount of dieting and exercise can shift. This reason for this is simple: from puberty the number of fat cells in our body stays the same, all that changes is their size and volume. So they swell up or shrink according to how much fat the body is storing. In some people these fat cells accumulate in obvious areas; thighs or stomach for instance and nothing will shift them. Nothing that is, apart from liposuction.

Drastic it might be, but if you're troubled by stubborn fat on your thighs, stomach, hips or even under your chin or upper arms liposuction can work wonders. But the reality of the surgery is pretty scary; bruising, bandages, time off work and in most cases, a general anaesthetic. This type of cosmetic surgery should not be undertaken lightly.

So it might be music to your ears to hear there's now an alternative. Laser liposuction (sometimes called Smart liposuction, or laser lipolysis), offers all of the benefits of lipo without the fear factor. Better still, it can be over and done within your lunch hour.

But what does it entail? And does it really work?
As with any cosmetic procedure, choose your doctor carefully. If possible choose based on a personal recommendation. Only a fully trained doctor can perform laser liposuction, so don't be afraid to ask for evidence of qualifications, experience and testimonials from other patients.

Before embarking on a treatment you'll need a consultation. This gives the doctor the opportunity to assess whether the treatment is suitable for you. In most cases it will be, but be aware that anyone with a body mass index of over 30 may be considered unsuitable. Laser lipo is a body contouring treatment, not a fast track to weight loss.

As the name suggests, it's a laser procedure, but it does require a few tiny incisions in the skin which will be done under local anaesthetic. A powerful laser is then pushed into the incision. Whereas traditional surgical liposuction works by sucking fat out of your body, this procedure heats the fat cells, which causes them to break down. The fat deposits are then absorbed and later passed out of the body naturally. As part of the process the laser seals off any minor blood vessels and stimulates the production of collagen, leading to a smooth and sculpted end result.

The treatment takes between one and two hours, but will depend on the size of the area being treated. Some minor bruising is inevitable, but you won't need time off work. Though the procedure is quick, don't expect instant gratification. The results take between two and four months to fully develop and are speeded up by wearing corsets and compression garments which help squeeze the fat cells.