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Dr. Michael Will is offering SlimLipo, a new technology that uses a laser to selectively melt away fat.

Will said SlimLipo, which stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting Liposuction, is less invasive than traditional liposuction. "We used to disrupt [fat] mechanically," he said.

SlimLipo allows Will to use a laser-wand under the skin. One wavelength melts fat and the other tightens the skin after the fat has been removed. With traditional liposuction, the skin would remain lose after fat was removed, creating the appearance of flabby skin, Will said.

The new process takes slightly longer, so Will said it would take too long for more obese patients. Because of this, Will said a good candidate for SlimLipo is someone of good health and normal weight, with localized fat in areas such as the abdomen, legs and lower face that he or she has difficulty shedding through diet and exercise.

The process carries the normal range of risks associated with surgery, including infection, scarring, allergic reactions to medication and bleeding. It also has some specific risk, including skin burns, fluid collection under the skin and blood clots. Will said these risks only occur in rare cases.

Will said that the cost of SlimLipo versus the traditional method is about the same — $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the amount of fat removed. While the laser-assisted machine is expensive, costing about $150,000, Will said he does not pass this cost on to patients in the form of a surcharge.

Will's office, Will Surgical Arts, is located along Urbana Pike in Urbana. Call 301-874-1707.