Smartlipo is laser-assisted liposuction. The Smartlipo MULTIPLEX (MPX) utilizes a blend of 2 laser wavelengths that have different qualities and functions in terms of both fat melting and skin tightening. I have been performing Smartlipo for over 1 year and the results have been very satisfying for both the patients and for me. There have been 2 upgrades in the computer technology of Smartlipo since my purchase of the Smartlipo machine. The upgrades have permitted the use of more energy, a blend of 2 laser wavelenghts for more effective melting of the fat and more directed and precise treatment patterns for skin tightening.
In my practice, when I perform Smartlipo MPX, the first Phase of every Smartlipo procedure involves melting the fat with a special blend of the 2 laser wavelenghts (after infiltration of tumescent salt water solution with Lidocaine as the anesthetic and epinephrine as the vasoconstricting agent to decreasing bleeding and bruising). The second Phase of the Smartlipo procedure involves very specific skin tightening using 5 x 5 cm grids over areas where the skin requires tightening. The skin is heated to temperatures that cause skin to tighten through interactions with dermal collagen. This is what separates Smartlipo from other methods of liposuction.
The fiberoptic cable that permits the laser light to specifically heat the fatty tissues, is changed to wavelenghts of light that heat the dermis and the amount of heat delivered is not only measured, but the heat rise in the skin is also measured directly in the cable. This temperature elevation in the dermis is what assist the skin shrinkage, and it is important that the temperature guidelines be closely monitored throughout the procedure, not only to get an improved outcome over tradtional and other types of liposuction, but also to prevent over-heating of the skin.
This second phase is what takes time, and not all Smartlipo surgeons take the time to effect the result of skin tightening. I focus on this, as I want my patients to have the best chance possible for skin tightening, since this has always been the rate-limiting step in liposuction, since its inception decades ago. I perform the skin tightening portion of the procedure methodically and scientifically, recording temperatures in each section of the grid pattern.
This is why in my practice, Smartlipo has a higher base cost, as it takes longer and uses technology based on specific laser effects on fatty tissue and skin. Higher technology in any field, has higher price tags. It costs more to fly in a high speed jetliner, like a Concord, than an airbus. The very good news is that Smartlipo uses a very thin fiberoptic cable that is almost imperceptible in terms of being "felt" by the patient, so 1 or 2 anatomical areas of the body, for instance, the common combinations of abdomen and hips, the arms and underarm area, the back and flanks, can be treated under local anesthesia.
Therefore, the operating room charges are much less than liposuction under general anesthesia. There is a saving her in terms of the OR fee. If patients want to have more than 2 large areas of liposuction, then general anesthesia is required, as the amount of lidocaine needed will surpass the safe dosage limits for the patient's weight. Anesthesiology fees and higher operating room fees are associated with large volume liposuction of larger areas or combined anatomical areas being done in a single operation.
I base the Smartlipo fees under local anesthesia, on the number of anatomic areas, usually 2, and also the amount of fat that requires treatment and the amount of skin that requires tightening.
Patients are under the impression that Smartlipo in less expensive in terms of the surgeon's fee, however, if a surgeon, like me, focuses a large portion of the procedure on skin tightening in a gird pattern to get the best outcome using the best technology, then the cost may be higher. An individual that has less fat, needs a smaller area of tightening and therefore the OR time may have a lower cost than a patient that has more fat in the 2 anatomic areas, as the fat melting and skin tightening will take longer.
I hope this is a good explanatiion for the potential patient who is considering Smartlipo, so that they understand that there is a price for the laser technology (it is not a gimmick and there is science backing the results of Smartlipo), and the increased time that I spend on heating the skin after melting the fat, to effect skin tightening. The skin tightening portion of the Smartlipo procedure- to be effective takes time -and I am willing to spend the time for the patient to try to give them the best outcome, using what I have found to be the best technology in my liposuction experience of over 20 years.
