What it is: Laser Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure that uses laser energy to treat areas of excess fat and improve contours.
Search terms: Laser-Guided Liposuction, Laser Lipo, Smart Lipo, Lipotherme
How Laser Liposuction is Performed 
There are two methods of Laser Liposuction.
The first technique has 3 steps:
- The laser is used in the deep fat to break up the fat cell walls allowing the fatty oils to leak out, and disrupt the cells for subsequent removal. This deep layer also contains small blood vessels which the laser coagulates leading to less bruising post operatively.
- The laser is then used in the superficial layer, just under the skin to heat the skin cells in order to stimulate them to produce more collagen and elastin thereby enhancing the skin quality in the post treatment period.
- The final step is the removal of the cell fragments and oils and thus the final reduction in contour.
The second technique uses 2 of the above steps:
This technique uses only the first 2 steps above and rather than removing the cell fragments and oils, these components are absorbed by the body. This technique of laser guided liposuction is usually reserved for areas of very thin fat such as the face and neck or where skin tightening alone is all that is required.
Who should consider Laser Liposuction?
When considering Laser Liposuction surgery as an option, the best candidates typically have one or more of the following conditions:
- Excess fat in mild to moderate amounts
- Mild to moderate skin laxity
Skin starts loosing collagen and elastin from about age 35. Resultant skin laxity may not be conducive to liposuction alone. Other candidates may have superficial problems in the skin such as cellulite, dimpling, scarring from previous surgeries—all of which may be improved by Laser Liposuction.
- Abdomen
- Thighs
- Knees
- Arms
- Neck
- Face
- Male Breast Excess
- Back rolls
During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. Pictures may be taken of you, especially if the areas that will be treated are on your posterior aspect (back, buttock, etc.). This will help your plastic surgeon to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved. A determination of the elasticity of the skin will also occur.
A discussion concerning your ideal weight and realistic weight will most likely occur. Plans such as future pregnancies, etc. may be discussed.
You should come to the consultation prepared to discuss your medical history including previous surgeries, past and present medical conditions, allergies and current medications. It is important for you to provide complete information. High blood pressure, thyroid problems, diabetes, etc. should be reviewed as these medical conditions may increase some risks associated with surgery.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended to stop smoking well in advance of surgery since smoking can impair the healing process. Certain medications that increase the risk of bleeding such as Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and some vitamins/homeopathic regimens should be discontinued before undergoing liposuction surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with additional preoperative instructions. Laser Liposuction surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. If this is the case, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to stay with you for the next 24 hours. If you are undergoing large volume of liposuction, it may be suggested that you be hospitalized even for one night.
Your Laser Liposuction surgery may be performed in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility or office-based surgical suite. Medications will be administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Frequently, local anesthesia and intravenous sedation are used for patients undergoing Laser Liposuction surgery, although general anesthesia may be desirable in some instances. For your safety during the operation, various monitors are used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
When surgery is completed, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. You will most likely be wearing a compression garment, usually used to help “shrink” the skin. Concerning postoperative pain, many patients state that the area feels sore, as if they underwent a vigorous work out. You probably will be permitted to go home after a short period of observation, although some patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility.
The amount of time it takes to recover from Laser Liposuction surgery varies greatly between individuals.
First few days: Due to the extensive nature of this process in many layers of the tissue, there will be skin swelling. A compression garment is used after Laser-Guided Liposuction to reduce such swelling. Also helpful is massage and other specific technologies that are used afterwards.
Normal activity can be resumed after 1-2 days. There may or may not be any stitches to be removed.
Beyond the first days: Strenuous activity and sports are reserved for after 3 to 4 weeks after the Laser Guided Liposuction. After this time, wearing a garment is optional and the skin stimulation will be more evident over the next several months.
Swelling confined to the superficial layer of the skin can last up to approximately one month. Also, there can be a delay in the ability to see an improvement in skin laxity, since the process does not tighten the skin immediately as some lasers do, but rather Laser Liposuction works through a process of stimulation of the fibroblast cells in the skin to over time manufacture more collagen and elastin which makes the skin plump and tight respectively.
Scarring: There are two types of scarring to be considered in Laser Guided Liposuction. The actual incisions that are made and any scar tissue that forms under the skin form the process itself. Fortunately, due the extremely small nature of the canula ( the tube placed under the skin) and the laser fiber, surface incisions are among the smallest of any type of liposuction. Also, for the same reasons, there should be minimal disruption under the skin to cause significant scarring there as well.
There are 2 aspects of improvement being observed after the procedure: reduction of fat and improvement in skin tightness. The tissue will appear smaller from the removal of fat fairly early. There will not be much visible change in the skin in the first month. This change, relying on the new production of collagen and elastin after laser-guided liposuction, will start to increase in the second month and continue to improve for many months afterward.
The subject of risks and potential complications of surgery is best discussed on a personal basis between you and your plastic surgeon, or with a staff member in your surgeon's office. The risks in most surgeries are similar. Some of the potential complications that may be discussed with you include:
- Contour irregularities
- Fluid collection (seroma)
- Infection
- Inadequate removal of fat
- Continued skin laxity
- Need for further surgery
- Blisters, burns
- Scarring
Blisters, burns and scarring are associated more specifically with Laser-Guided Liposuction since it uses an energy source. This risk should be minimized by the surgeon constantly monitoring skin surface temperature to prevent the excessive rise in temperature.
You can help minimize certain risks by following the advice and instructions of your plastic surgeon, both before and after your Liposuction surgery.
Laser Liposuction surgery cost can vary widely as reflected in the Cost Data posted on RealSelf.com for Smart Lipo. A surgeon’s cost for Laser Liposuction may vary based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used, as well as geographic office location.
- Surgeon’s professional fee
- Facility fee
- Anesthesia fee
- Medications
- Surgical garments
- Medical tests
- Cannula: A hollow tube attached to a high-vacuum device used to remove fat through liposuction. The plastic surgeon manipulates the cannula within the fat layers under the skin, dislodging the fat and "vacuuming" it out.
- General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
- Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
- Local anesthesia: A drug injected directly to the site of an incision during an operation to relieve pain.
- Superficial Syringe Liposculpture: Use of a syringe to withdraw fat, instead of vacuum suctioning pumps, allows for less blood loss and speedier postoperative recovery. Superficial syringe liposculpture is performed on the layer of fat just beneath the skin.