Whether one decides to have a surgical or non-surgical procedure performed will depend on the individual. Always consult with a qualified physician before undergoing any procedure.

“For the first time in the twelve years these statistics
have been collected, liposuction is a runner up in popularity to
breast augmentation. There is no doubt that this turnabout will
generate discussions in the medical community and the public at
large,” Alan Gold, MD, Aesthetic Society president,
reflected. “Changes in fashion, i.e. decolletage baring
styles, might be a factor behind this change.”

ASAPS, working with an independent research firm, compiled the
12-year national data for procedures performed 1997-2008. A paper-based
questionnaire was mailed to 16,000 Board-Certified physicians (6,000
Dermatologists, 6,000 Otolaryngologists, and 4,000 Plastic
Surgeons). A total of 894 completed and valid responses (461
Plastic Surgeons, 277 Dermatologists, and 156 Otolaryngologists)
were received in time for tabulation.

Final figures have been projected to reflect nationwide
statistics and are based exclusively on the Board-Certified
Plastic Surgeons; Otolaryngologists; and Dermatologists. The
findings have been aggregated and extrapolated to the known
population of 23,600 physicians who are Board Certified in these
specialties. Though the confidence intervals change by procedure,
depending on the grouping’s sample size and the response
variance, the overall survey portion of this research has a
standard error of +/- 3.21% at a 95% level of confidence.

The top five surgical procedures in 2008: Breast Augmentation

• Liposuction
• Eyelid Surgery
• Rhinoplasty
• Abdominoplasty

The top five non-surgical procedures in 2008:

• Botox
• Laser Hair Removal
• Hyaluronic acid wrinkle fillers (Juvederm, Restylane)
• Chemical Peel
• Laser Skin Resurfacing

Find  liposuction doctors or breast augmentation doctors in the United States and Canada

Dr. Sharma is a board certified general surgeon who received his training in General Surgery from Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, affiliated to Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. Upon completion, he continued his training under the world-famous Dr. Edward B. Diethrich at the Arizona Heart Institute. Dr. Sharma is included in the 2009 ‘top surgeons of america’ consumer research council.

Smart Lipo™ Laser was approved by the FDA in November, 2006. Smartlipo™ is a fiberoptic laser system, when inserted under the skin with the help of a tiny 1.0mm cannula, it melts the fat cells, tightens and tones the skin, and then liquefies the fat which is then removed completely out of the body with a tiny aspiration tube. Tightening and smoothing of the skin occurs on contact upon stimulating collagen growth. As the laser interacts with the epidermis, it causes the skin above to tighten and shrink in size, giving the treatment area a smooth, toned appearance. This procedure does not require any stitches, but only very tiny incisions that heal on their own. It is performed under local anesthesia while the patient is fully AWAKE. The procedure is minimally invasive and some discomfort is expected. Patients will be asked to wear support garments for 2-4 weeks depending on the specific need.

Smartlipo™ is excellent for small areas such as: under the chin, jowls, outer thighs, neck, underarms (wings), male breasts, inner thighs, bra fat, love handles, arms, etc. The time required for the procedure is 40 minutes to one hour.

Find all Arizona liposuction doctors

Smart lipo, a popular procedure for fat removal, should not be confused with mesotherapy or lipodissolve.  Mesotherapy has been a succesful non surgical treatment that targets cellulite.  Lipodissolve and mesotherapy involve multiple injections of active ingredients into areas of hard to remove body fat, seemingly melting it away and expelling it from the body. The lipodissolve treatment utilizes a safe soy based compound that, when injected directly into the area being treated, breaks apart the fat molecule dissolving it into a liquid that is naturally eliminated from the body through sweat, urine or feces. The soybean extract named phosphatidylcholine has the same molecular structure as the phosphatidylcholine found in the human body, and its main function is to break down fat and cholesterol.

Mesotherapy and lipodissolve treatments can be targeted for areas of hard and soft fat, including abdominal areas, upper and lower back areas, thighs, arms, knees, and the buttocks. Areas of cellulite on legs and thighs can be successfully treated with the Mesotherapy procedure, as well as excess fat on the neck and face. Most patients turn to mesotherapy or lipodissolve where targeted exercise and a healthy diet have failed to work to remove the stubborn areas of cellulite or fat.

Dr. Rodriguez also offers Smartlipo, mesotherapy, lipodissolve and cosmetic surgery services in Houston, Texas. Visit Liposculpture Body of Houston.

Find all laser liposuction doctors.