For some people, no matter how rigorously they diet and how hard they exercise, they just can’t get rid of stubborn back fat. If you struggle with back fat, it could be due to your age, gender, genetics, or a combination of the three.
Fortunately, there are several medical remedies for back fat reduction or removal. In this article, we will compare and contrast non-invasive laser lipolysis with back fat surgery.
Surgical vs. Non-Surgical Approaches for Back Fat
While surgery and non-surgical interventions have the same objective — back fat reduction — they both go about it in very different ways. Because we are comparing cool laser lipolysis with surgery, we will forgo a discussion of fat freezing and other non-surgical approaches to back fat reduction.
Understanding Laser Treatment for Fat Reduction
Erchonia is Emerald Laser’s parent company, and it’s a pioneer in laser fat removal. For back fat reduction, a technician identifies the target areas of the back with ten 532-nanometer cool lasers. These lasers penetrate the surface of the skin and bore tiny holes into the fat cells while heating the lipids inside. The emulsified liquids then slowly seep through the pores that the laser created and are safely disposed of by the body’s lymphatic system.
It is safe, non-surgical, painless, and effective. With Emerald Laser, there is no prep time or downtime, and patients can resume full activities immediately after each session. Emerald Laser usually requires six 30-minute sessions about two weeks apart.
What Surgical Back Fat Reduction Entails
While there are several types of surgical back fat reduction procedures, liposuction is by far the most common. With liposuction, a surgical team makes incisions in the target area. They then use a medical vaccuum to suck the fat cells away from the body. They then close the surgical wounds. The patient is anesthetized during the procedure. This surgery is usually outpatient or requires an overnight stay. There is some soreness and decreased mobility during the recovery period, which can take up to a month.
Recovery and Risks: Laser vs. Surgery
Both laser lipolysis and back fat surgery are relatively safe. However, patients who undergo back fat surgery will have a much different experience than those who participate in laser treatments.
To begin with, back surgery requires incisions, and there will be some recovery time as the body heals from invasive entry and the removal of fat. Laser works much slower and does not traumatize the treated region. That means that there’s no adjustment period for the body.
Minimal Downtime with Laser Treatment
Patients who opt for Emerald Laser are able to resume full physical activity after leaving the treatment center. After your initial consultation, you’ll arrive at your appointed time, partially disrobe, lie on the table, and 20 to 30 minutes later, you can continue about your day. There is no pain, so your movements aren’t limited.
Surgical Recovery and Potential Risks
Back liposuction is considered a routine surgical procedure, but because it’s an invasive process, there are some risks:
- If you are placed under anesthesia, there are inherent risks, but a trained anesthesiologist can largely mitigate those dangers.
- You will be provided instructions for wound care, but the placement of the incisions can make them difficult to reach.
- You will not be able to resume full physical activities for at least a few days, but it may take a month before you’re able to participate in strenuous exercise.
- Liposuction removes fat cells from your back. If you regain weight, it could accumulate in other areas of the body, giving you an out-of-proportion appearance.
Comparing Costs: Laser Treatment vs. Surgery
While the costs of surgery have come down since the early days, Emerald Laser is much less expensive. Emerald Laser treatments range from about $2,500 to $3,500, all-inclusive. The average cost of liposuction is $4,711, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. However, this does not include additional expenses, like anesthesia, operating room facilities, etc. You could be looking at $7,000 or more for liposuction.
Financial Implications of Surgery
Because liposuction is not usually covered by insurance providers, doctors offering liposuction usually provide financing options. Emerald Laser also has affordable financing for treatment packages.
Liposuction generally involves some downtime. You can expect to miss a minimum of two days of work, but possibly more. Emerald Laser takes about 30 minutes so that you can schedule your appointment before or after work or during your lunch break. Since there’s no downtime, you can go right back to work after.
Is Laser Treatment More Affordable?
In addition to being less expensive than liposuction, Emerald Laser treatment packages are all-inclusive. Back fat liposuction requires time off from work and recovery time.
Aesthetic Outcomes: Which Treatment Delivers Better Results?
Both treatments have been proven effective, and there are hundreds of thousands of people opting for liposuction or laser lipolysis every year.
What to Expect from Surgery
Liposuction has the benefit of showing immediate results. However, you may wait a month or more to be scheduled for your treatment. Additionally, you’ll have some downtime afterward. The wounds can take months to fully heal and may result in permanent scars.
Expected Results from Laser Treatment
Laser lipolysis does not yield immediate results. However, you may notice some improvement within a week of the first treatment. A full course of laser back fat removal treatments takes about 12 weeks, and the fat reduction will be gradual. However, you can start almost immediately after your initial consultation. For best results, your provider will schedule your appointments about two weeks apart.
If you are looking for a gentle but effective way to reduce your back fat, Emerald Laser is your best option. While liposuction is effective, it’s more expensive, requires a recovery period, and may lead to discomfort and scarring. Schedule your initial appointment with an Emerald Laser provider near you.
