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Complications from Laser-Assisted Liposuction Performed by Noncore Practitioners

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery volume 37, pages 869–875 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Liposuction is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic surgery procedures in the United States, and most plastic surgeons perform suction-assisted, ultrasound-assisted, or power-assisted liposuction. The past decade has seen a growing interest in laser-assisted liposuction (LAL) and the proposed advantages of traditional liposuction methods. However, it is performed by a minority of plastic surgeons. In fact, many LAL providers are not trained in aesthetic practice, and many offer LAL as their only body-contouring procedure. When only one method of body contouring is available to a provider, it may lead to inappropriate patient selection with associated poor outcomes. This report discusses the use of laser liposuction in body contouring and the demographics of those performing liposuction, including LAL. Complications from laser-assisted liposuction performed by noncore practitioners are illustrated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tulane Medical Center, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA, 70115, USA

    Craig A. Blum

  2. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center (LSUHSC), New Orleans, LA, USA

    Charles G. S. Sasser

  3. Pacific Heights Plastic Surgery, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Jonathan L. Kaplan

Authors
  1. Craig A. Blum
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  2. Charles G. S. Sasser
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  3. Jonathan L. Kaplan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Craig A. Blum.

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Blum, C.A., Sasser, C.G.S. & Kaplan, J.L. Complications from Laser-Assisted Liposuction Performed by Noncore Practitioners. Aesth Plast Surg 37, 869–875 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0153-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0153-x

Keywords

  • Body contouring
  • Laser-assisted liposuction
  • Liposuction
  • Noncore practitioners