The changes in both machines and techniques have come so quickly that consumers as well as physicians have difficulty sorting out what is really being done.
We tried the original Smartlipo lasers and protocols and found them no different than tumescent liposuction, except it took longer, was more expensive, and had more possibilities of complications. By my count we were through three generations of machines without the company really defining what they or we should doing.
However, the new machine (SmartLipo MPX) WITH THE NEWER TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED shrink technique does finally seem to make a difference in older patients who have lost elasticity or younger patients needing the "mommy makeover".
Our technique is to begin with normal tumescent liposuction with fine cannula technique and then follow immediately with the MPX under temperature control to create the shrinkage. The operation takes at least half again longer, but the results so far seem to make it worthwhile in selected patients.
Our feeling is that there will be more improvement to come when the technique catches up with the theory.
