What is SmartLipo?

Bruce Katz, MD answers: What is Smart Lipo?

Can someone explain what is Smart Lipo? how is smartlipo different from normal liposuction surgery?


Bruce Katz, MD
18 days ago

SmartLipo is the first laser-assisted liposuction system available meeting this need. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat using a high-powered laser to sculpt body contours and tighten skin with less downtime and side-effects.

It’s different from traditional liposuction because we use a very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0mm in diameter contains the laser fiber and is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth as the laser’s energy is delivered directly to the fat cells, making them rupture and easy to drain away. In addition, as the laser energy interacts with the dermis it results in skin shrinkage or tightening.

Due to the small size of the cannula, SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The procedure causes less bleeding, swelling and bruising, resulting in a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction methods since the laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact. Because general anesthesia is not used, the procedure is very safe with minimal side effects.

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More answers to What is Smart Lipo?

A: Smartlipo is laser-assisted liposuction

David Shafer, MD
9 months ago

Smartlipo is laser-assisted liposuction. The newest version is Smartlipo MPX. This machine actually has two lasers build in. One is better for melting fat and the other is best for tightening the skin.

In most cases, the procedure can be performed while you are awake. The laser portion of the procedure is performed first which melts the fat. The suction portion is then performed to remove the melted fat.

Smartlipo is usually best for small areas. If you are looking for total body liposuction or for large areas, then it is best that we perform traditional liposuction under general anesthesia. I hope this is helpful.

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A: SmartLipo is still a surgical procedure

Arnold S. Breitbart, MD
6 months ago

SmartLipo uses a laser to help melt the fat and tighten the skin. Like traditional tumescent liposuction, local anesthesia fluid is first injected. This makes the area numb during the procedure, and makes suctioning of the fat easier. This may be supplemented with sedation anesthesia if the patient desires, depending on the extent of areas being treated. 

Also, like traditional liposuction, small incisions are used and the fat is suctioned using a small tube or cannula. 

With SmartLipo, an additional step is used, where a laser is used to treat the fat and overlying skin, resulting in some melting of the fat (which makes the suctioning of the fat easier), and increased tightening of the overlying skin. 

SmartLipo is just another tool that the surgeon can use to facilitate liposuction, and has the added benefit of getting more skin tightening than traditional liposuction.

SmartLipo, like traditional liposuction, is a surgical procedure, which should be performed by a surgeon with extensive training and experience with liposuction, and not by just any doctor who has taken a weekend course in liposuction.

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