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Laser Liposuction

My doctor said smart lipo is much quicker recovery and all around better than liposuction surgery Is that true?

Sort 21 expert answers by:
+4

Its not the instrument...Its the surgeon

1.  Every few years there is a "new technique"  for many things in surgery.  The honest truth is that with liposuction the technique with the best proven long term results and safety is good ole tumescent liposuction.  Which is basically injecting saline and sucking out fat.   2.  The results are delivered by the type of instrument used, which is what the instrument company wants you to believe, but by the surgeon doing the procedure. 3.... more
Dev  Wali, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Is "Smart liposuction" a smart idea for you?

Currently there is much hype in the media and plastic surgery advertisements about "smart liposuction". without having shown clear scientific evidence of benefits this surgery is marketed to the public in order to sell a new liposuction machine. Unfortunately, smart liposuction does have higher rate of certain complications than tumescent liposuction and I have not seen any evidence that its results are even as good as tumescent liposuction.
S. Sean Younai, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+5

Cool Lipo and Smart Lipo from a surgeon's view As a...

Cool Lipo and Smart Lipo from a surgeon's view As a Plastic Surgeon that uses liposuction and fat-grafting techniques on a regular basis, I am certainly interested in learning about new techniques that may improve upon "traditional liposuction." As a disclaimer, I must say that I do not have personal experience with laser lipolysis devices such as the Smart Lipo and Cool Lipo devices. I read with great interest the one independent, peer-reviewed study I have seen to date that... more
Nick Slenkovich, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+3

Smartlipo has advantages over traditional liposuction

Conventional liposuction is good for to removing greater amounts of fat and typically requires a general anesthesia. However, since this can sometimes leave behind areas of loose skin. For better skin tightening, laser assisted lipolysis is often a perfect complement. With laser liposuction using Smartlipo MPX, a dual wave length laser is used to remove fat but also tighten the skin by heating the collagen from below. Smartlipo MPX alone usually only requires a local anesthesia, but it... more
Steven L. Ringler, MD
Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+2

Liposuction depends on the surgeon, not the machine

While there have been several claims that "smart" liposuction or laser liposuction is "better" than conventional tumescent liposuction, this has not been proven through scientific study.  The boom of new liposuction machines has mostly been driven by the companies that make these machines and the advertising they have spent on marketing these new treatment options, not patient demand because "traditional" liposuction doesn't work.  The other... more
Jason Brett Lichten, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+2

Smartlipo is still Lipo!

The laser manufacturers have almost outdone themselves with their claims of "quicker recovery, less down-time, less bruising", etc.  In truth, laser-assisted liposuction is LIPOSUCTION--you just add the extra step of applying the laser energy before using the liposuction cannula to remove what has been treated with the laser. In properly-selected cases, laser-assisted liposuction is used to treat small problem areas under local anesthesia in the office.  This may... more
Carmen Kavali, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

Laser Liposuction (SmartLipo, Slim Lipo, ProLipo etc)

With more doctors, regardless of their training performing liposuction, competing for less patient willing and able to pay for liposuction (due to our country's economy), marketing, exaggeration and plain BS run high and often unchecked. ALL liposuction procedure do the SAME first step - fill / puff the fat with an (Tumescent) solution of dilute adrenaline and a local anesthetic. After this step is done- "regular" (Tumescent) liposuction can be done- Ultrasonic (Tumescent)... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+2

Laser lipo gimmicks

I've never been the first one on the block to get the latest and greatest device that's going to change the world of cosmetic surgery. I have colleagues that are. But I'm thankful I never got on this band wagon. Having not actually used Cool lipo but having seen some post op patients in need of revision here's what I know. Standard liposuction uses general anesthesia, for complete patient comfort, tumescent solution to reduce bleeding, small cannulas to minimize contour irregularity and... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon
+1

No difference in results between smart lipo and conventional procedure

A recent paper in the refereed journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found no difference in results between smart lipo and the classic procedure. Tumescent lipo produces fine results without the complications involved in the use or misuse of the laser. The manufacturers of these machines do an excellent job of promoting new methods in their own self interest but there is no evidence to date of improved efficacy.
Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Advantages of laser-assisted liposuction

Laser-assisted liposuction uses a carefully calibrated laser to melt or "liquefy" unwanted fat. The procedure is always performed in combination with traditional liposuction with the superwet tumescent technique of anesthesia. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I've been performing laser-assisted liposuction for over 5 years. While the laser manufacturers advertise or hype the potential skin tightening benefits, this has yet to be proven in the scientific literature. However... more
Jeffrey D. Hoefflin, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Smart is Smart Lipo

Smart lipo is a new technique for liposuction. New techniques usually have a period of intense excitement by media and surgeons, fueled by the promise of better results. It takes time before we get enough experience to know what are the true pros and cons of the technique. We went through this cycle with ultrasound lipo, but ultrasound hasn’t caught on in a major way. It remains to be seen whether Smart Lipo catches on. The word liposuction means literally sucking fat. Traditional... more
Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction Recovery with Smart Lipo

Liposuction recovery depends on several things. First is your basic pain threshold - someone with a very low pain threshold will generally be more sensitive for any given amount of surgery. Second is your desire and motivation for the procedure - the more motivated you are the better the process will be. Most important of all - at least to me - is how much liposuction is being performed. The more fat that is removed - the more discomfort a patient will have after surgery - and this is... more
Jon F. Harrell, DO
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction -Fact and fiction

As a general rule, lipoplasty recovery is not very difficult. The amount removed, number of areas treated, and general health of the individual are more important issues in the recovery process than the form of lipoplasty method. The use of Smartlipo is generally for improving skin tightening in association with traditional lipoplasty. It can be useful for small areas that don't require much tissue removal. I believe that results are tied to the experience and overall skill... more
James M. Kurley, MD
Champaign Plastic Surgeon
+1

The surgeon matters more than the machine

Choosing your liposuction surgeon based on a particular machine they like to use, would be like choosing them based on the brand of scalpel they use.  Surgeons use the tools that they fell will help them get the safest and most consistent results.  I think it makes more sense for patients to choose their surgeon based on their results, not their tools.
Mario Loomis, MD
Middletown Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser lipo

 Laser-assisted liposuction (SmartLipo) uses a cannula with an attached laser light to liquefy fat cells. Once liquefied, the liquid fat is then removed through traditional liposuction incisions using standard liposuction cannulas. Manufacturers of these devices promote “skin tightening” and “decreased recovery time” as the main advantages; scientific studies have yet to show a clear-cut benefit for laser assistance in liposuction.
Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Lipo a possibility for small areas

Laser liposuction may provide a quicker recovery and people are drawn to it because it can be done with local anesthesia, but it is not necessarily a better option than traditional liposuction. If you want to treat just one spot, such as the thighs, it might be a viable option. However, if you want to treat multiple areas such as the thighs, arms and abdomen, that can't be done all at once with laser liposuction. You would require multiple visits to your surgeon. With traditional... more
Deason Dunagan, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is laser liposuction really the revolution my doctor says it is?

Hi there- Generally speaking, you should realize that whenever you are being heavily sold on the machine the provider uses, and the miraculous things it will do for you, rather than on the surgeon's education training, experience, and Board Certification, you should run away from that practice as fast as you can. In my practice, we pride ourselves on staying on the cutting edge- offering the latest treatment options once we become convinced of their safety and efficacy. But even in cases... more
Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser liposcution and other forms

The saying goes, " When you have a Hammer the whole world is a nail." Laser liposuction is one form of liposuction using laer energy to non-specifically melt fat. The idea promoted with this technology is that skin tightening should occur. I am not impressed with the skin tightening. Other forms of liposuction are just as good if not better.
Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Lipo VS Liposuction

There are many advances sice the introduction of Liposuction in 1982. Smart Lipo is the latest, which is a gimmick to part you from your money and feel you got the latest but not necesserly the best. Liposuction depends on the person performing the surgical procedure, not the tools. The same is true for water jet liposuction.
Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser liposuction

Unless you have a very small, soft collection of fat, you will need some form of traditional liposuction.  Not to say that it can't be combined with laser liposuction for some additional benefit.
Edmond A. Zingaro, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Laser Liposuction is a good alternative to traditional liposuction

Laser liposuction is a good alternative to traditional liposuction especially for the following patient types: Patients who have had a liposuction and need one or more isolated areas improved in a cost effective and convenient manner. Patients who are younger and more active who desire to avoid the downtime of a traditional liposuction. Patients who seek natural looking results from a local anesthesia procedure. However, traditional liposuction is still superior for... more
Kris M. Reddy, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon
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