Liposuction Vs. SmartLipo ~ Which is Better? Doctor Answers, Tips

+1

Liposuction

Having performed both procedures. I truely feel that Smart Lipo Triplex is vastly superior. The procedure takes longer but, is done under local anethesia. The laser under the skin does tighten the skin. The laser into the fat melts the fat allowing more to be removed for better sculpting. The built in heat control make the procedure extremely safe

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

drbray.com

+8

Is Smart Lipo better than Liposuction?

Hi there- Your outcome and safety depend on finding a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon- NOT on the machine used... There is an abundance of information on this question already available on RealSelf, and I highly recommend you read as much of it as you can. A pattern will quickly appear to you. In general, you should be very worried when any professional spends their time and energy telling you why the machine they are going to use is so important to your outcome. Think about how silly this is.. more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

+7

Smart Lipo vs Traditional Liposuction - What is best?

As with many of these questions and topics there are usually no easy and simple answers. First it is important to understand the differences. The biggest differentiating factor is that SmartLipo uses a high energy laser to emulsify or destroy fat cells. Then the lipid that is released from the cell is reabsorbed or can be removed with a special suction cannula. Traditional liposuction works by applying suction to a hollow metal cannula or tube which pulls the fat into the tube and the sharp... more

Braden Stridde, MD
Federal Way Plastic Surgeon

psplasticsurgery.com

+6

Smartlipo vs. Traditional Liposuction

The choice between smartlipo and traditional liposuction depends on your objectives. Smartlipo is for: 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, if the goal is to remove substantial fat deposits or... more

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

+5

Liposuction vs SmartLipo - Facts vs Fiction

Since Drs. Illouz and Fornier first brought liposuction to the United States in 1982, when I was beginning my residency, there has been really only two game changing developments in the use of liposuction. The first was the addition of Tumescent fluid dilution, a very dilute concentration of Lidocaine and Adrenaline in a saline solution to expand the area to be treated. This dramatically diminished bleeding, the need for extensive fluid replacement, and for patients to donate their own... more

William F. DeLuca Jr, MD
Albany Plastic Surgeon

www.delucaplasticsurgery.com

+5

Smart lipo is all marketing

Liposuction has become mainstream and is one of the most common procedures Plastic Surgeons do. "Smart Lipo" is a new gimic to allow more advertising and promotion. The most important thing is the skill of the surgeon, not the machine they use. My liposuction machine has been working for years and is great. I went to the exhibition of the "Smart Lipo" machine only to find out that I would need to spend over $140,000 to get a machine to replace one that is working well.... more

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

+5

Smart Lipo: The Newest Device Is Not Always Best

The explosion in medical aesthetic technology has resulted in a market that is literally flooded with new products, devices and procedures, like Smart Lipo, all claiming to be the ‘latest and greatest’ or the ‘next big thing’. A great deal of dedication (and caution!) is required to sort through all of the new (and often not-so-new) technology which is marketed simultaneously to aesthetic professionals and to the public. I have not seen a single study that shows... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

+5

Talk to several patients

A common question is which is better - traditional liposuction or smart liposuction. If fact, both procedures are good - it all depends on the desired results, patient's body composition, and the skill and experience of the surgeon. My recommendation is to go to a few consultations and ask to talk to former patients who have undergone either of the procedures. David Shafer, MD New York City

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+5

Wow, lots of different ideas, but what are the facts?

#1 - Tumescent anesthesia - describes the infiltration of fluid into the area to be suctioned. The fluid has a local anesthetic as well as adrenaline to reduce bleeding and prolong the anesthetic effect. Almost everyone is using tumescent anesthesia, whether you are a plastic surgeon or not. Whether you do it under general anesthesia or not is unimportant. Many doctors choose to perform it under general anesthesia because it hurts to inject the large volume of tumescent fluid. Some doctors... more

Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

+5

Tumescent Liposculpture with Microcanulas will beat them any day of the week!

Dear dscheffter, Any doctor can be good at any procedure if they do enough of them. Tumescent liposculpture with microcanulas is the golden standard now days. Smart lipo can do fine but can also cause some unwanted puckering of the skin or permanent nerve or skin damage. The amount of skin contraction from the microcanulas verses laser liposuction would be a good study to see if there is one which is better than the other. I suspect not. Traditional liposuction with the medium to... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

+5

Find a plastic surgeon who does both....

One can imagine that if you only have one technique to offer, then you might advertise it as best. The docs (often not plastic surgeons) who offer smartlipo and tell you to "make sure you are having tumescent lipo done" are clearly missing the point here. How can the dermatologist who answered this thread say that smartlipo is the better procedure? Some people are going to benefit from Smartlipo and some people are going to benefit from traditional liposuction. You need to find a... more

Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

+4

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... more

Brent Moelleken, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

+3

Smartlipo versus traditional liposuction

We have been using the Smartlipo technique for the past three years and are very impressed with the results. So much so that now even patients who could benefit from traditional liposuction will opt to do the Smartlipo in order to be able to return to regular activities more quickly. The compressive garment needs to be worn for 4 weeks for a traditional liposuction versus only 2 weeks for Smartlipo

V. William Papanastasiou, MD
Montreal Plastic Surgeon

+3

There are no documented benefits of SmartLipo for liposuction.

Hi. Tumescent liposuction has by far the best track record for safety and excellent results. In New York City, that's what the expert plastic surgeons use. SmartLipo is mostly about marketing with no evidence.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

+3

Smart Lipo vs traditional Liposuction

Smart lipo uses a very small tip to delivery the laser energy. Sometimes that can be advantageous in a small area while other times it can be quite tedious. Imagine painting a room with an artist's fine paintbrush versus using a roller brush. You might get alot of detail but it would take forever, right? Guess who pays for that? Also because it tends to be less of a surgical procedure, it can be performed by physicians other than surgeons. The claims about skin contraction really are... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

+3

Smart lipo is not proven to work at all, maybe harmful

At least at this point, SmartLipo is nothing more than a smart brand name. There is emerging market of laser assisted liposuction and it is currently under investigation. There is at least some concern than laser energy can release some potentially harmful products into the blood stream. It appears to be no better than currently time-proven liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction procedures. These have been used for years with minimal complications

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

+3

Don't go to a doctor who is not board certified in Plastic Surgery.

Any doctor can legally do any procedure in his or her office. Hospitals will generally limit privleges to procedures that the doctor has been trained to do. Only Plastic surgeons have adequate training to assess and treat all areas. They are also more able to treat any complications adequately. If in doubt ask if the doctor can do liposuction in a hospital.

Rodney A. Green, MD
Cleveland Plastic Surgeon

+3

Either can work well, but it depends on the surgeon

Smart lipo is simply a relatively new technology in which laser heat is applied to the fat, blood vessels, and the undersurface of the skin in combination with traditional liposuction techniques. The idea is that it can cut down on bruising, perhaps create a more even and symmetrical final result, and tighten the skin. In some circumstances, it can be performed without a general anesthetic or even IV sedation, and for this reason, many practitioners who are not Plastic Surgeons (ie... more

Shahram Salemy, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

+2

Smart Lipo vs. Traditional Lipo

There are some similarities and some differences between Smartlipo and traditional liposuction. Traditional liposuction is typically used for larger areas where alot of volume needs to be removed. Smartlipo is typically better for more concentrated areas of fat however the benefits of smartlipo compared to traditional liposuction are with Smartlipo no general anesthesia is required and can be done under local anesthesia. My patients often drive themselves to and from the procedure. With... more

Jennifer S. Landy MD
Tampa Ophthalmologist

+2

Liposuction vs. Smart Lipo

Thankfully, there are many options available for liposuction. Although tumescent liposuction is tried and true, some patients may require additional procedures with laser energy or ultrasound energy to emulsify and destroy fat cells during the procedure. I employ all three methods in my practice based on individual characteristics. All three procedures can acheive outstanding results.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

+2

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... more

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

+2

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... more

Richard Gentile, MD
Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

+2

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.

James C. Grotting, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

+2

Smart Lipo is part gimmick.

Hello, In the last year I worked with a marketing group and did about 150 Smart Lipo procedures. I have done "regular" tumescent lipo for over ten years. The difference is pretty small in the average patient, but the cost difference can be substantial. It may work better than "regular" lipo in redos or in "Lipo only" gynecomastia reductions. Be careful in trying to compare here.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

+2

Bravo to the previous posts!

I agree with almost all of the previous posts and would summarize as follows: The physician performing the procedure is more important than the technology behind the surgeon. Whether you burn/ damage the fat with a laser before removing it or simply remove it does not matter a bit in my mind. Either procedure requires a significant amount of artistry and experience to do well. Most physicians (but not all) currently using the smartlipo are nonsurgeons. They were sold the smartlipo machine... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

+2

Try to get more details from your surgeon.

Many new trends exist for liposuction. Ultimately, you can get wonderful results with any technique, but be careful, because you can also get less than satisfactory results with any technique. Firstly, I would submit to you to try and seek liposuction with a Board Certified plastic surgeon, certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery. A good place to start is at surgery.org, the website for The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Ask your surgeon if they feel they perform... more

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

+2

It's not the wand but the magician using it

It's not the machine that will give you a better result, it is the artist using the machine. Go with the doctor who has been trained better, has more experience, and has great results. Also, make sure that the doctor you choose can treat your complications as well.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

+1

Liposuction Technique Success Rates?

Thank you for the question. Most well trained experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will agree that it is not the tool that makes a difference but the “fool behind the tool”. On the other hand, surgeons looking for a “gimmick” will make claims that there “miracle technology” has better success rates. Choose your surgeon, not a specific technology, carefully. Best wishes.

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

+1

Smart Lipo

I recommend you see 2-3 Board Certified Plastic Surgeons and at least one who offers Smart Lipo or another laser option. Do not be swayed by one brand of laser for liposuction. The claims are frequently overstated. The surgeon is the ultimate important factor in this. The surgery is a success because of the surgeon and his or her training and experience. see video

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD
San Francisco Dermatologic Surgeon

www.elitemdspa.com

+1

Liposuction vs. Smart Liposuction...

Liposuction and Smartlipo are performed to remove unwanted deposits of fat cells. Recovery time for both lipo and Smartlipo is about the same - only a few days out of work depending on how many areas are treated. Smartlipo uses a laser to break up and dissolve fatty tissue beneath the skin, can cause contraction of some skin, and is targeted to smaller areas on the body. Traditional liposuction is targeted to larger amounts of fat on the body... more

Shain A. Cuber, MD
Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

+1

Traditional Liposuction versus Smart Lipo. Which is Better?

In recent years there have been many new technologies, which fall into two categories of either laser-assisted liposuction such as Smart Lipo, or ultrasonic liposuction such as Vaser. Along with these new technologies are aggressive marketing efforts which are alarming to me because it means that patients are trusting the machine instead of the doctor. It is more important how well the sculpting is done and less important what tools are used. Remember, it is the sculpting that... more

David Amron, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

+1

Warmth and tenderness after Smart Lipo

The skn and fat are thinner here than most of the body. The laser-assisted liposuction you underwent might have created a panniculitis, or inflammation, of the fatty layer. You should see your doctor to determine if a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent could be beneficial.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

+1

Traditional lipo vs Smart Lipo

Smart Lipo is not so smart. It hurts longer because the fat in the protective sheaths around nerves is also melted. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons already has reviewed the subject and decided that there is no long term difference in skin tightness. Check out my blog post below about a patient who had smart lipo, and a video explaining why I prefer Tumescent with small cannulae.

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

+1

Liposuction vs SmartLipo - Making a fair decision

Please refer to my answer to What is Smart Lipo?, which goes into detial on this subject. Many differing opinions can be confusing. Read it and these answers and you will have all you need to make a fair decision.

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD
Montclair Plastic Surgeon

+1

Smart Lipo vs Traditional Liposuction

There is no scientific evidence that the so called (smart liposuction) gives better results that traditional liposuction. The skill of the plastic surgeon and attention to details is what makes the difference.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

+1

Liposuction and SmartLipo compliment one another

Liposuction is a superb technique to help people achieve shape changes with minimal downtime and risk. In particular, tumescent liposuction is the gold standard by which other fat removal techniques are measured. SmartLipo, as well as other laser assisted liposuction procedures, such as ProLipo Plus, SlimLipo, and others, are adjuncts to the liposuction procedure that can help your doctor achieve a more pleasing result. Not all lasers are created equal, and not all liposuction surgeons are... more

Michael S. Kaminer, MD
Chestnut Hill Dermatologic Surgeon

+1

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.

Bahram Ghaderi, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

+1

Go with the Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

As all the other plastic surgeons mentioned here, I would recommend you go with the one who is a board certified plastic surgeon. You will find that most of the plastic surgeon would tell you there is no difference and that smartlipo is just a gimmick. I also agree and fully believe that the same results can be achieved in my hands with traditional lipo as can be achieved with smartlipo. So be careful who you choose for your plastic and cosmetic surgery. Good luck.

Farbod Esmailian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

+1

Potential better result with the more qualified physician

It is understanding that it might be confusing which technology is the best one to go with. Instead of choosing the technology, I would suggest you choose the physician who is most qualified. Physicians who are plastic surgeons and who are board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons are usually the best trained and most experienced. To be a plastic surgeon who is Board certified by the ASPS they have at least 6 years of training and experience in surgery, with 3 years... more

Andrew Y. Kleinman, MD
Westchester Plastic Surgeon

+1

Liposuction is not Smart or Dumb

Smart liposuction generally costs a lot more for a lot less, and is usually done by non-plastic surgeons. I feel it is a marketing gimic to capture cosmetic patients. I would save your money, and go to a plastic surgeon who is experienced at the procedure, and management of liposuction patients.

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

+1

If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is...

You've gotten a lot of opinions on this thread, from real, board-certified plastic surgeons and non-plastic surgeon cosmetic practitioners. If you decide to have a procedure performed with a fancy device, make sure you understand that there is no magic to plastic surgery. The old adage applies: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Many non-plastic surgeons are spending big bucks buying hot new machines in an attempt to break into the cosmetic market. Make sure you feel... more

Anthony Youn, MD
Detroit Plastic Surgeon

+1

Decide which doctor youlike best.

The different techniques and machines involved in surgery may enhance the results however they are still operator dependent. The skill level of each surgeron varies. Decide which doctor you trust more and go with him or her. My suggestion is not to base your decision on the technique.

Charles Perry, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

+1

Laser lipo vs. Lipo

Unless you have a very small, soft collection of fat, you will need some form of more traditional liposuction. Laser lipo can be combined with traditional lipo for enhanced results.

Edmond A. Zingaro, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

+1

Find out if one is doing true tumescent and then go with them.

Smart Lipo is simply a laser that is done along with another method of fat removal. While I perform Smart Lipo and like it very much, it alone is not the only thing that you need to evaluate when having a procedure done. The method used along with it to collect the fact is more important, if anything, than what is done along with it. If you want quick recovery time and less bruising as well as less risk with the procedure, you need to make sure that the Smart Lipo doctor is doing the true... more

Joel Schlessinger, MD
Omaha Dermatologist

www.LovelySkin.com

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Liposuction Vs. SmartLipo ~ Which is Better?