Laser Assisted Liposuction - Just a Fad?

SmartLipo has enjoyed wonderful success from a marketing standpoint. It is a "hot and exciting" buzzword among those seeking body contouring. Because of its popularity, many surgeons have purchased or leased SmartLipo equipment in order to meet this demand of the patient population. A scientific comparison of SmartLipo versus traditional techniques published in the premier plastic surgery journal found no discernable difference between body areas treated with the two different... more

It is inconceivable to me that Smartlipo would not be beneficial. Certainly ultrasonic liposuction is beneficial. The ultrasonic cannula, which is inserted after tumescence is carried out, melts fat that is then removed (aspirated) by traditional liposuction. In Smartlipo, we are using a very small fiber optic cable that conveys the laser energy, which definitely melts fat on contact. There is no way that this cannot contribute to loss of fat and a better shape. The biggest problem that I... more

Conclusions: No major clinical differences for suction-assisted lipoplasty versus laser-assisted lipoplasty were found. Higher concentrations of free-fatty acids after laser-assisted lipoplasty must alert us to possible hepatic and renal toxicity. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 118: 1032, 2006.)

I initially did not believe in laser lipo. The first generation of laser lipo was weak and could deliver only 6-8 watts of energy. The latest machine delivers 36 watts and does melt the fat. I do have the machine and all my patients been very happy. One thing that you should consider is the operater. Machines and tools are important but your surgeon is more impotant than the tool. A good plastic surgeon will get excellent results with traditional lipo and also with laser lipo. The advantage... more

I used to think there was nothing to Smartlipo or laser liposuction, until I tried it. For anyone who has done a lot of liposuction, they know the feel of how a cannula moves through various tissues in the body. Having performed extensive ultrasound, power-assisted and traditional suction lipectomy, my hand can feel the difference with Smartlipo. Each type of liposuction has it place and is useful for different indications. The Smartlipo cannula moves very smoothly through the subdermal... more

Laser Lipo was always one of the modalities of liposuction (Ultrasound, mechanical etc...and not a super technique that will make other modalities obsolete. The areas that the laser Lipo might have some additional benefits are body areas requiring skin tightening in addition to some Lipo on a small scale. The neck seems to be the best example. Trying to place the laser Lipo above other technologies in general is not a fair statement. The key is the user.

Smart Lipo in my opinion is much more expensive than other forms of liposuction, and in North Texas, is performed mostly by wannabe plastic surgeons. I have not seen any benefit over tested liposuction techniques.  It is also my opinion that the laser liposuction machines are a marketing ploy. Enough said

The hype surrounding laser assisted liposuction procedures is not unlike the same hype that surrounded ultrasonic liposuction, a procedure which is now defunct. Implying the the laser's thermal energy is capable of causing better skin shrinkage is the same erroneous claim that was made by the ultrasonic advocates. No studies have scientifically shown this benefit to the patient. For good reason, the newer laser assisted devices don't want to do these studies because when formal... more

That's what they claim but it has yet to be proven. I have had one patient who went to another surgeon who offered this technology about two years ago and she was dissatisfied with the results. It is slightly more delicate but that's not always good and it may not be sufficient and will take more time. I know that doesn't make all that much sense but let me give you a simple example which will help to clarify. You have a standard size room that you want painted. Do you want to pay for... more

I think it is a great marketing tool and nothing more. The skin tightening component really doesn't show anything to me in the pictures that I have seen of long term follow-ups.