Smart Lipo: Q&A

Ask a Question

SmartLipo vs. Lipo; What is Recommended?

I am stuck on smart lipo or traditional. I want the best results and alot of fat taken out. I am 5'1 and 148lbs. I am afriad of being put to sleep for the procedure. I was told that you can take more fat with traditional? Also, I want fast healing because I am going to Punta Cana July 4. Is it true that the fat can come back in the same area? Which do you think I should have? Thank you

Tags:

5 ft 0 in to 5 ft 3 in 130-149 lbs comparison expectation pros and cons

Comment on this

14 Doctor Answers | Asked by leelee39 in Washington, DC

Doctor Answers (14)
Community Comments (0)

Smart lipo or traditional lipo?

Like most things, the most important factors relating to the result is the skill and experience of the person performing the procedure. In art it isn't the paint or paint-brush, it's the skill of the artist. In a recent article in the Dermatologic Surgery Journal the various types of liposuction were compared on every level and the traditional lipo was superior. Adding an ultrasound or laser adds to the complications. It is not necessary to heat or... more

Smart Lipo vs. Traditional Lipo

The best result for large volume fat removal is traditional liposuction. Smart Lipo involves the use of a laser and is good for small volume fat removal. Smart LIpo is slow and therefore makes it difficult to remove large volumes of fat in a reasonable amount of time. Skin contraction may be accomplished with the Smart Lipo Laser or a Vaser (ultrasonic liposuction). Any type of liposuction may be performed without general anesthesia. However, to remove large... more

Smart, smarter, smartest lipo: know the facts

A few points of clarification will help you sort throught the often misleading marketing hype around "smart lipo" and other laser-assisted liposuction procedures vs other forms of lipo. First, any technique of liposuction can be done without general anesthesia, and if general anesthesia is chosen it is safe when done by a qualified professional. Many patients choose an in-between option known as IV sedation plus local (tumescent.) Second, the supposed benefits of better skin... more

SmartLipo vs Traditional Liposuction

As a general rule, one can typically can take out more fat with traditional liposuction but the quality of the result is also very much determined by how well your skin retracts. If your skin is somewhat loose then traditional liposuction does not give great results, and can even look worse when larger volumes are removed. This is where SmartLipo has it's greatest benefit in that it produces better skin tighting. In a situation such as yours I would use an ultrasonic technique... more

SmartLipo vs Other Lipo: it doesn't matter

If you want the best liposuction results, you should be looking for the best surgeon, not for a particular machine. There is no scientific study out there that I am aware of that shows SmartLipo to be superior to any other lipo in terms of results. In the hands of a bad surgeon even the best tool will fail to give you what you want. (not to imply that SmartLipo is superior... the only thing that is smart about smartlipo is its name) Sincerely, Martin... more

Smart lipo or regular lipo

Have regular liposuction 6 weeks before going on vacation. Here's what you need to know. liposuction will change contour. If you do not eat to your new shape, the fat will come back, usually somewhere higher on the body. It can come back in the same area if enough fat cells remain there. you should wear a compression garment for 4-6 weeks afterwards. Eating less and getting more exercise are the key to a good result after liposuction laser liposuction... more

Liposuction goals

You have mentioned two goals which could be contradictory, depending on when you have the procedure. Tumescent liposuction will produce an optimal result in terms of fat removal. Anesthesia is safe and necessary when performing a large liposuction in terms of surgical control. So long asyou have the procedure relatively soon, there should be no problem in healing by the time of your planned vacation but if you did not intend to have the lipo until June, then this would be a consideration. more

Smart versus traditional

For those of us who started right out with the Smartlipo And really understood it It was always a combination of the 2. The laser is an adjunct to the regular suction method. if you are taking out of any kind of volume you always use a traditional methods after the laser otherwise you would leave a large pool of melted oil which will take a very long time to heal.

SmartLipo vs. Lipo

You answered the question in your goals. For the best results for alot of fat removal, then traditional liposuction is the preferred choice. Smartlipo is best for a small, localized area. If you have the procedure fairly soon you should be able to be sufficiently healed by July 4.

Type of liposuction

It sounds to me, with your height and weight, that you are looking to liposuction for weight loss. If this is true, you are making a mistake will likely end up disappointed. Liposuction removes only a few pounds here and there, in areas unresponsive to weight loss. If you have lipo for weight loss, you will only have maybe 10 or 12 pounds removed. And if you don't have a healthy diet and exercise routine, you will gain that 10 or 12 pounds back and it will... more

It's the surgeon that matters, not the liposuction machine they use

Choose the surgeon that has the best qualifications and recommendations, and that you felt comfortable with. marketing surgery by touting the machine one uses is misleading...would you choose your carpenter because he said he used a certain brand of saw???? do your homework and trust your instincts and common sense to pick the best surgeon for you....and then trust that surgeon to use whatever tools he/she needs to get the nicest results for you

Bruce K. Barach, MD

6 reviews

Schenectady Plastic Surgeon

drbarach.com

Smart lipo?

There are many different liposuction techniques on the market. The thing to keep in mind is that they are all marketing -- the maker of every different machine (whether it is smart lipo or vase or power-assisted or tickle lipo) is trying to tout their machine as the best. However, no machine can make up for seeing a qualified board-certified surgeon who performs the procedure in a safe and accredited facility. Liposuction for smaller areas can safely be performed... more

Chose a doctor with proper training and experience

Good results can be had with either method. I prefer Smartlipo, sometimes in combination with Vaser, because I feel it gives the most consistently smooth results and is better tolerated when using local anesthesia. You may need multiple sessions if you are using only local anesthesia so you should consider i.v. sedation or general anesthesia.

Can Lipo really be "smart"?

Best results in liposuction stem from proper patient selection, technique and experience, not the tools. Tumescent anesthesia can be delivered while you are awake but may be uncomfortable with longer procedures and multiple treatment areas. Traditional liposuction is more efficient for large volumes, but it is equally important to know how much fat to leave behind in order to achieve smooth results. Full healing can take up to 6 weeks depending on the degree... more