Treatments that make use of PAL vibration technology
- Liposuction – removing localised deposits of subcutaneous fat
- Gynaecomastia – counteracting breast enlargement in men
- Lipomastia – treating enlarged mammary glands in men brought about by testosterone depletion
- Lymphoedema – accumulation of fluid in the lymphatic system. Swelling is caused by dysfunction of the lymphatic system, most frequently in the body’s extremities, Fluid accumulates in the intercellular space and obvious symptoms of swelling become visible.
How PAL vibration equipment functions
Unlike conventional liposuction, which is primarily a manual process with associated bruising and swelling, the PAL (power-assisted liposuction) device functions on the basis of gentle vibration of a cannula (a flexible tube). The cannula oscillates rapidly back and forth, enabling it to easily and delicately penetrate fatty tissue.
Removing accumulated fatty tissue and fluid by this means is a gentle process with the advantage of rapid recovery and healing.
Benefits of vibration liposuction
- Rapid recovery
- Minimal swelling and bruising
- Precise body contouring
- Safety: the treatment doesn’t generate high temperatures, so there’s no risk of damage to surrounding tissues by heat
- It’s a quick procedure, so it takes a relatively short time
- Less bleeding and pain
- Enables outpatient treatment
Patients best suited to receiving PAL treatment
The procedure is applicable to men and women unable to remove accumulated fat from problem areas through exercise and dieting. It shouldn’t be considered a substitute for weight loss, instead it constitutes a method for refining the contours of the body. In fact, thin people also undergo vibration liposuction in order to overcome issues such as excessive accumulated fat in the thighs that appears disproportionate to their figure.
Likewise, it is an option for people plagued by lymphoedema, a condition of excessive accumulation of fluid in certain parts of the body.
The PAL device is also used in plastic surgery procedures for men, where it’s applied to remove material from enlarged mammary glands.
How the procedure works
The first step is a personal consultation with a plastic surgeon, who explains everything in detail. Depending on the form of anaesthetic selected, it may be necessary to include a pre-operative examination in the course of the treatment. However, patients receiving vibration liposuction with the PAL device usually only require a local anaesthetic.
Typically, patients spend between 30 and 120 minutes in the operating room, according to the size of the area treated. These areas for treatment are infused with an anaesthetic solution.
The plastic surgeon makes small incisions for insertion of the vibrating cannula, which disrupts the layer of fat under the skin and sucks it out. The incisions are sutured and covered with a sterile plaster.
Healing and recovery
Patients who undergo the procedure with a local anaesthetic and experience no complications leave the clinic on the same day.
The mild nature of the method means that the period of recovery can be twice as quick as for conventional liposuction. Compression underwear is worn for 2 weeks in the case of double chin liposuction and 4 weeks for other areas. Usually, patients can gradually return to normal activities after 2–3 weeks, but the exact time depends on one’s capacity for healing.
The surgeon will describe how to care for the surgical wound prior to the patient being discharged. If non-dissolvable stitches are used, they are normally removed a week after the procedure.
Special types of massage or post-operative care shall also be recommended, depending on the area treated.
Do not remove the plaster when showering. Should it peel off on its own, disinfect the area and reapply the sterile covering.
Possible complications of vibratory liposuction
Any surgical procedure can bring complications. In this case, it is a very gentle treatment and the associated level of risk is, therefore, minimised. Very occasionally, though, swelling, bruising or infection of the wound may occur, which is easy to deal with and these issues should subside with time.
Minor bumps after exercising are quite common and disappear over time. The process of healing can be aided by appropriate compression underwear and massage of the treated areas. Your doctor will explain and show everything in detail at the postoperative check-up.
Patients for whom the treatment is not suitable
It’s always important to consult a plastic surgeon concerning the state of one’s health, because only they have the capacity to decide on the suitability of the procedure for you as the patient. They might advise another procedure instead or potentially postpone the treatment until a later date.
Contraindications:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Blood-clotting disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Skin problems and infections of the treated area
