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How to Choose the Right Liposuction Procedure?

asked 2 years ago by smpj in nyc
Latest answer by John Philip Connors III, MD
Question viewed 880 times
Tags: fat reduction

I have been to personal trainers, gyms and nutritionists. I have lost weight but I have fat that won't go away above my belly button and below.

I have seen drs who use both traditional Liposuction and Smart Lipo and ones who only support traditional. I have seen one of (supposedly) best drs in NYC who seems to despise Smart Lipo. How do I know which is right for me?

15 answers to How to Choose the Right Liposuction Procedure?

+1

Rght Lipo procedure is the with doctor you're most comfortable with

Every doctor does Lipo and there are so many different techniques. If a doctor does enough Lipos then he will be good at that technique and he will tell everyone that is the best. What matters is the relationship you have with your doctor because he is the one who will have to see you through the whole procedure and afterward take care, or any touch ups if they are needed. Safety is a big concern so do not go to any Lipo doctors who do Lipo under general anesthesia. It just is not worth the... more
David Hansen, MD

Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

+2

Choosing the right Liposuction procedure

To paraphrase Billy Joel; "Welcome to the Age of Jive". 2 comments - Unlike, Nascar, Indy 500, Tour De France, The Olympics etc, Plastic surgeons do NOT line their OR tables side by side, compete for the title by operating on identical patients and then have these patients judged by an impartial jury which then awards "the best in class" to each winning surgeon. This simply does not happen. While New York Magazine and other similar magazines in different cities throw... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Artist and their Canvas

Great question and I hear the same questions and concerns just about everyday. I too use traditional liposuction. I am not opposed to NEW technology, but I need to see in our respected surgical journals convincing evidence based studies that demonstrate a significant advantage of Laser assisted liposuction over traditional liposuction. As of today, I am still awaiting the convincing data...but I do know it may be coming! Every artist picks the medium and technique that works BEST for them...thi more
John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser versus traditional liposuction

I have always found it hard and avoided criticizing techniques or technologies which I have not had experience with. Therefore, I have tried very hard, and at times at great expense, to stay on the cutting edge of plastic surgery. I have experience and access to Vaser, Lipolit, Smart Lipo and the Accuscuplt laser. I can assure you that the newer generation laser and especially the Accusculpt 1444 nm wavelength laser melts fat. Whether that gives you a better result depends on the... more
W. Tracy Hankins, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Smart Lipo is just a gimmick.

Hi! There is no science behind Smart Lipo. In general, I recommend avoiding any procedure with a brand name or a catchy title. Too much marketing. I don't know any experienced, respected plastic surgeon in New York who uses Smart Lipo. But remember, it is not your job to know what is the best procedure. It sounds like you are a good candidate for liposuction of the abdomen. It's the surgeon that matters, not the machine. So pick a plastic surgeon you trust (ask to see lots of before... more
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choosing the right liposuction procedure

Sorting through all of the marketing hype and competing claims about liposuction options has gotten a lot more difficult in recent years. Laser-assisted liposuction was ushered in with a lot of hype as being "less invasive" and "safer" even though by definition it is more invasive and carries additional risk. What really makes a difference here is the experience of the surgeon, not the technology.
Richard Baxter, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choose an experienced liposuction surgeon, not a name.

 What is important in liposuction is an experienced liposuction surgeon, not the technique used. Catchy names mean nothing! What is important is how much fat is removed and how much is left behind!
Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Choose the surgeon and not the technique

Liposuction results are more dependant on the person doing the procedure than the technique. Some of the techniques that you are hearing about now days are more marketing hype than actual results. If you are talking with a board certified plastic surgeon that regularly does liposuction you will be in good hands. You would have to do a residency in plastic surgery to be able to make the full educated determination on which liposuction technique is best. Find a good surgeon and discuss you... more
Marcus L. Peterson, MD

Saint George Plastic Surgeon
+1

Experience in all types

This is a very common question and as a plastic surgeon who only does body work, I have the advantage of experience with all the different types of liposuctioning. What I tell patients is that the various types of liposuctioning are like different golf clubs in your golf bag. You can play the entire hole with one club but you will do much better if you have at least a wood, an iron and a putter. Each type of liposuction techniques has its positives and negatives. All have the problem of... more
John P. Stratis, MD

Harrisburg Plastic Surgeon
+1

The key to liposuction is the surgeon and your skin elasticity - not the "technique" used

 The best results from liposuction come from going to the best surgeon and letting them use what they think is the best technique.  The other element that is critical is your own skin elasticity because no technology (ie Smart lipo) can overcome poor skin elasticity no matter how much they might promise.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction is not about machine, but the surgeon

DearSmpj Liposuction is so not about the machine, it is all about the surgeon. There is a lot of marketing dollars pushing laser based liposuction. These are basically publicly traded companies that are whipping up marketing hype for these hideously expensive lipo machines. Lets face it lasers are so Star Wars. Doesn't just sound sexy to say you're having laser liposuction? These companies get it and they figure that plastic surgeons (not known as the best business men) are... more
Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD

Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon
+1

Pick the bette surgeon - forget about Smart Lipo

You've already answered your own question. You said that you went to one of the best plastic surgeons in NYC. That's what you want: "one of the best..." Pick the best doctor and don't focus on the technique. If any technique were really shown to be superior, that doctor would be using it. The doctor you saw who you said "despises" smartlipo is one of many excellent surgeons who feel that way. Why such strong feelings? Because smartlipo has never been shown to have one... more
Steven Teitelbaum, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Which Liposuction is right for you?

You are the type of patient that we all would love to see. You have worked with diet and exercise and have obtained a good result, and now you need help with a small area on the abdomen. Traditionally, you would do very well with a tradition liposuction operation--either with standard liposuction, Tulip liposculpture, Vaser, or in some individuals hands--ultrasound liposuction. I do not do Smart lipo, mostly because it is a very expensive modality--with very moderate results. However, from... more
Richard Greco, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon
+1

No one knows

Smart Lipo (and other laser lipo techniques) deliver light energy to the fat and connective tissue that is converted to heat. The heat supposedly causes the connective tissue and skin to "contract" a bit as well as disrupt the fat cells. The fat is then removed by aspiration. Proponents of the technique claim this heating leads to better results. I have used conventional, ultrasonic, and laser assisted liposuction. In patients with loose skin I have employed the laser but I cannot... more
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Abdominal rejuvenation

Hello, You might want to see a plastic surgeon for general advice. Some patients who figure their problem is entirely correctable by liposuction and go to doctors who only do Liposuction end up being unhappy with the result. A few consultations for opinions is never a bad idea. Many different types of doctors offer Liposuction these days. Your "Liposuction technology" question is debatable as well. Having performed Smart Lipo and Vaser Liposuction, I rarely see enough of a... more
John P. Di Saia, MD

Orange Plastic Surgeon

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