Women with lipedema in the legs live with unbearable pain and invisible symptoms. We need to raise awareness in Singapore so patients can get proper care.
May 15, 2025
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LAMS liposuction: How does it work?
LAMS liposuction stands for Local Anaesthetic Minimally Invasive Liposuction. Originating from South Korea, LAMS Liposuction uses local anaesthesia to perform liposuction minimally invasively. This type of liposuction involves using a syringe to inject anaesthetic into specific areas of the body and then using another syringe to remove the fat.
Main difference between LAMS Liposuction and other types of liposuction
“The unique aspect of LAMS liposuction is that patients remain awake throughout,” said Dr Ivan Puah, MOH-accredited liposuction doctor in Singapore with over 20 years of body sculpting surgery and liposuction experience.
The significant difference of LAMS liposuction is the elimination of intravenous sedation during surgery.
Compared to other liposuction types where anaesthesia is needed, it can be performed while the patient is fully awake and completely aware. LAMS liposuction aims to reduce the associated anaesthesia risks and make the liposuction surgery less invasive.
Suitable candidates for LAMS Liposuction
However, it is not suitable for everyone. If a patient requires extensive fat removal or has larger areas to address, LAMS may not be the best option. When patients remain conscious, they are fully aware of what is happening, which restricts the procedure to small, targeted areas such as the armpit fat, upper abdomen or certain small areas of the legs.
LAMS Liposuction is definitely unsuitable to use on larger treated sites as performing extensive liposuction while the patient is awake would be highly uncomfortable and risk-inducing for both patient and doctor, impacting the overall quality of the results.
Risks of LAMS Liposuction
It’s imperative to carefully weigh the pros and cons of LAMS liposuction. If the surgery is not thoroughly discussed, mutually agreed upon, meticulously planned, and executed, it can be uncomfortable, and the results may fall short of expectations, or worse, there is a health risk!
Post-LAMS Liposuction recovery
Recovery after LAMS is similar to traditional liposuction, including bruising, swelling, pain, and stitches. If larger areas are treated with LAMS liposuction, the recovery experience will resemble that of a standard liposuction patient.
While the treatment process differs, the recovery is similar.
“When I talk to liposuction patients, about 90% prefer not being awake during the procedure. Many may choose LAMS Liposuction due to its perceived safety and cost-effectiveness. They often end up regretting the choice during and after the surgery, as being awake can lead to feelings of nervousness and discomfort,” Dr Puah shared.
Cost of LAMS Liposuction
Cost-wise, LAMS is marketed to be less costly than other types of liposuction because it involves smaller areas, and there is no additional cost for anaesthesia and fee for anesthesiologists.
Patient Experience of LAMS Liposuction
However, patients who have undergone the procedure frequently report that it is a challenging experience.
Overall, while LAMS liposuction may appeal to some, it is essential to consider both the limitations of the procedure and the potential discomfort of remaining awake during treatment.
