Question
Liposuction vs. SmartLipo - which is better?
I have been to two doctors, one wants to do smart lipo and one is a plastic surgeon and saids smart lipo is not as good and performs only traditional liposuctions. How can I decide which is the best choice?
Answers (24)
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1
23 days ago
Not sure SmartLipo has advantages
Now that most practitioners are ending the "SmartLipo" procedure with regular old lipo to remove the liquified fat, I'm trying to figure out why that's better than just doing standard tumescent lipo to begin with.
I have yet to see convincing photographic results to show that SmartLipo produces more favorable skin tightening tahn standard lipo.
Without doubt, the technique has been insanely marketed and hyped up before there has been any meaniingful data to support the claims. In my community, very few (if any) board-certified plastic surgeons use it.
2
1 month ago
Expert or lease holder ?
People practicing proprietary techniques such as Smart Lipo are lease holders. They have leased or bought a machine from a company. There are extravagant claims about the effectiveness about this technique (skin tightening, less recovery, greater fat removal).
I have reviewed the data of skin tightening with representatives of the company, and remain thoroughly unconvinced of unpublished "studies" performed by doctors with a financial relationship with the company.
I challenge doctors who are touting a procedure on this forum to indicate their financial interest in the company they are touting. That is the requirement of the ASPS and ASAPS before presenting material. That way patients will know they are hearing an opinion from a doctor who has a financial interest in the company, and make their decisions accordingly. Many of the physicians doing research for laser companies have received honorariums for speaking, subsidized rates on the machines they use, and have received patient referrals from the company.
Objective studies or hype? You decide.
3
4 months ago
High technology offers advantages
We currently perform SmartLipo, Vaser Lipo and Tumcescent Lipo, none of which require general anesthesia. As you see from reading some of the responses if someone does not have the technology they will call it a gimmick and others tell you to see specialists such as themselves for procedures because they are better. Biased physicians who do not answer your questions should be avoided.
SmartLipo and now about six other brands of Lipolysis lasers do have advantages in doing small fat deposits, minor touch ups and revisions. Usually, when done, you are getting a small dose of conventional lipo as well. Vaser also adds ease and quicker recovery to the procedure. If you are interested in minimally invasive techniques for quick recovery do seek out a lipo doc who embraces advanced technology.
4
5 months ago
Results depend more on surgeon than liposuction type
As previous surgeons have noted, studies have been performed comparing the two techniques. One study compared patients who had "smart" liposuction done on one side, and traditional liposuction done on the other by the same surgeon. There was no appreciable difference in the results.
More important is your surgeon's experience with the technique.
5
5 months ago
Lipo vs Smart Lipo
This has been studied and there is no difference. Smartlipo is more marketing than medicine. One comment I heard is that the only thing "smart" about smartlipo is the word "smart" in it. So, as most of the board certified plastic surgeons have stated here, the traditional liposuction in the experienced hands will give you the same result. Be careful of marketing that is all sizzle and no substance.
Comment on this
2 posts
24 Jan 2009
Im about to have "smart" lipo on my outer thighs. I don't need drastic results. For someone like me, which is better?
143 posts
4 Oct 2008
There is a new technique available which I believe will make both SmartLipo and conventional liposuction nearly obsolete. It is called SlimLipo. The SlimLipo device uses a 920 nm wavelength administered with a clear flexible rod. This wavelength appears to be very good at selectively melting fat. It also delivers a second wavelength that is very good at causing tissue contraction of the loose skin that is present after removing the fat. The SmartLipo uses a different wavelength that works by heating the water that is present in the fat. The heat generated by the SmartLipo does not appear to be selective for fat which may increase the risks of damaging overlying skin. Conventional liposuction does not use a laser to remove fat. Instead, it uses a high powered suction to remove fat with a hollow tube called a canula. This technique seems to cause more bruising and longer recovery.
11 posts
8 Oct 2008
Do your research! SmartLipo definitely provides excellent results with less down-time than 'traditional liposuction' or even tumescent liposuction (which is probably what the plastic surgeon that you went to wants to perform). Just look at the satisfaction stats on this website. SmartLipo takes longer to perform properly than traditional liposuction. Traditional liposuction with microcannulas can come close to SmartLipo for results, but the skin-tightening effects of SmartLipo cannot be matched by basic liposuction. At our office, we use the TriActive device before and after liposuction (SmartLipo and tumescent) to help improve outcomes and healing. Ultimately, you need to make sure that the physician you go to performs many different techniques and can guide you to the one that is right for you. To quote a quote, "If you only have a hammer, everything looks like a nail." Finally, beware of the bait-and-switch ... many physicians have sold patients on SmartLipo and/or traditional liposuction with microcannulas and then perform the procedure as a 'lunchtime' procedure in 90 minutes. They 'pass' the SmartLipo through and/or use a few microcannulas then switch to standard cannulas to finish quickly. Make sure you get what you want AND need. Good Luck
4 posts
4 Feb 2009
I agree with much of what has been stated in the other posts, but not entirely. There is a degree of marketing "gimmick" with SmartLipo and there are, indeed, many non-surgeons performing these procedures. The skill of the surgeon is still the most important factor in the determining your results. I disagree that one must be a board-certified plastic surgeon in order to be skilled in liposuction. Any physician who is a board-certified surgeon possesses the technical skill and medical knowledge to learn and safely perform liposuction. The results one attains, however, are often more related to the non-technical side of the doctor: how good is his or her "eye" in getting the proper result. Some of that comes from experience and some is just innate. Look at before-and-after pictures and see if you can interview a former patient if you want to know how good your doctor is. As for SmartLipo, I prefer to lump all these laser-based units together; at least 6 or 7 companies now manufacture laser lipolysis units. Each new machine touts its own advantages over older models. The truth is, they all work to melt fat before it is removed. One additional benefit of laser lipolysis over standard liposuction is that of improved skin tightening. The temperature of the skin is carefully monitored and brought close to 40 degrees centigrade. This causes shrinking of the collagen fibers in the deep layer of skin and encourages growth of new collagen, which has the result of causing skin tightening over the next several months. Laser lipolysis, in my opinion, is best used as an adjunct to standard liposuction to improve skin tightening or for treatment of smaller body areas, such as the chin and neck and upper arms. I would be somewhat wary of physicians who are not surgeons and whose only tool is a laser-based unit.
6 posts
9 Nov 2008
Traditional liposuction is usually performed by plastic surgeons under general anesthesia. The anesthesia is the riskiest part of the procedure and as a result, speed is of the essence. So large cannulas are utilized to quickly aspirate large volumes of fat. Unfortunately these larger instruments and time constraints can lead to poorer results. Traditional lipo is best done when another procedure such as a tummy tuck is done at the same time. Smartlipo utilizes tumescent anesthesia which is done while awake using smaller cannulas. It takes longer and is more precise. The laser also adds a tremendous component of skin tightening not seen seen in traditional lipo. In general, Smartlipo is safer, offers better results and skin tightening and is the future of liposuction. Plastic surgeons have not embraced the procedure due to the cost of the laser. A properly trained physician can perform this procedure as well any plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Make sure you meet your doctor and check his background and results. There are good and bad doctors in all specialties. The funny thing is that many physicians who don't use Smartlipo, will still espouse the use of lasers to tighten facial skin! Why does it tighten the face and not the tummy? Heating the skin with a laser will tighten the skin anywhere on the body.
3 posts
18 May 2009
any body has comment how to maintain after lipo selection.