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Should I Go for Smart Lipo or Traditional Liposuction?

asked 3 years ago by mariniya in New York, NY
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 1,014 times
Tags: comparison

I am 32 years old and my weight is 132lb. I am exercising regularly and trying to watch what I eat. With all that however, I can not get rid of my belly. Until I was 23 years old, I was fat and lost 50 lbs, but no matter what I did, I could not get rid of my belly. Thus, I decided to go for Lipo. I am not sure which one I should go with. Should it be Smart Lipo or a regular one? Thanks a lot.

23 answers to Should I Go for Smart Lipo or Traditional Liposuction?

Whatever method you choose, it is safer under local anesthesia

I prefer tumescent technique liposuction with the micro canulas under local anesthesia. It is the safest and I feel gives the best results although it is more expensive because of the extra time and work involved. Be sure to feel comfortable with whoever you choose as your doc and that he has years of experience in liposuctions and answers all your questions about all the different techniques available now. Expect to pay about $5000 - 6000 for the tummy but it is so worth it.... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Choose the surgeon for liposuction, not the equipment

Hi Mariniya The skill and training of the surgeon is far more important than the equipment or technique used for the procedure. An experienced, well-trained surgeon can inform you of the anticipated changes with liposuction or whether liposuction should be performed at all. In many cases, the preferred treatment in the abdominal area is a tummy tuck. To obtain this information I would recommend a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck in New York.

Wayne I. Yamahata, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Either Lipo method should work, but research your options

It sounds like you are doing all the right things to control your weight with diet and exercise, so your motivation for Lipo to deal with an area that doesn't respond is good. There is a lot of debate about whether Smart Lipo or any similar technique that uses a laser has any real advantages over traditional Lipo. A lot of the claims made about it, like less invasive or safer, are completely unproven and frankly, don't make any sense. A potential concern is whether the skin in the abdominal... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Not a question of Smart Lipo vs. traditional Lipo

Make sure your surgeon assesses your anatomy carefully, as well as understands the goal of surgery. Do not focus on whether he is using Smart Lipo or traditional lipo, but on what he thinks your anatomy requires in order to give you what you desire. Chances are with the weight loss you describe, you might benefit from a type of Abdominoplasty since your skin elasticity is undoubtedly affected by your significant weight gain and loss.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Smart Lipo or traditional Liposuction

The choice depends on several factors which include: How big of an area? How loose is your skin? For small areas the size of 1-4 average palms (hands), Smart Lipo is a viable option, but I personally do not feel that it really has shown any true benefits over conventional liposuction at this time. It takes more time and generally costs more to treat similar areas. I liken this to painting a wall with a fine brush (could take you hours/days) versus using a paint roller.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Lipo on abdomen

I always tell patients it is not the wand but the magician waving the wand that makes all the difference!

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Your surgeon will make difference, not the equipment

Both are accepted techniques. Qualified and experienced surgeons can make a good result. The instrument cannot guarantee the result by itself, so make sure that your surgeon is comfortable with the equipment to use.

M. Ryan Khosravi, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Traditional Liposuction can produce great results in a well-trained surgeon

Liposuction is a wonderful method used in body contouring. Traditional liposuction with a well trained surgeon can produce excellent results for the right candidate. Smart lipo is okay but in my opinion it does not produce superior results, it adds a step to liposuction and adds more time to the overall procedure. It is best to discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon and to see which method has produced consistently excellent results for him or her. Enjoy your new tummy.... more

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Any liposuction technique can give a good results in qualified hands

I've used SmartLipo, SlimLipo, and VaserLipo, and have obtained good results with all three. I don't know if one is better in terms of smoothness, skin tightening, bruising, or speed of recovery. Consult with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon. And remember, if you have significant loose skin of the abdomen (as might be the case after weight loss), no liposuction technique will produce a good result, and could make things worse with regard to skin irregularities....

Michael D. Yates, MD
Huntsville Plastic Surgeon

Go for consultation for Smart Lipo or Traditional Liposuction

This question CAN NOT be answered over the internet. If you have too much excess skin from the 50 pound weight loss than no lipo of any type can give the result you desire, ONLY a tummy tuck. So please go see 3 boarded plastic surgeons to get opinions. Also photos would help if you want a better opinion from us the inter net docs. Regards.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Lipo, VASER Liposelection, Laser Lipo OR a Tummy Tuck for Loose skin after weight loss

The following phrase : " ...lost 50 lbs, but no matter what I did, I could not get rid of my belly" contains THE KEY to your answer. It ALL depends what you mean be "belly". IF the "belly" is a single localized fat deposit WITHOUT others - ANY form of liposuction can correct it. Despite the dust throwing in the air, I do not know of a single Plastic surgeon (listed on www.PlasticSurgery.org) who does not use Tumescent Liposuction either under local anesthesia, intra more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Smart Lipo might have some small advantages

I recenty adopted Smart Lipo, and every year they upgrade the systems to a "better" one, presumably because of lack of results from the prior models ! At the very best, it may allow the fat to be removed a little easier and therfore cause less bruising. Swelling may also be less for small areas. I have seen no skin tightening of any significance. Houston is no different than any other city, and all but one or two of our SmartLipo doctors are not even surgeons. Chose a good dcotor... more

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

I think Smart Lipo is just a gimmick.

Hi, 1) I don't know a single, high reputation board certified plastic surgeon in New York who does Smart Lipo. 2) The important things are the good eye and the meticulous gentle technique of the surgeon. Ask to see a lot of before and after pictures.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smart Lipo is just another tool for plastic surgeons

SmartLipo is just yet another new device available to plastic surgeons. They come and go like the wind. Rather than being concerned with a specific technology, you should spend your time finding the right fit as far as finding a plastic surgeon. You should be looking for a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience with body contouring procedures. You should meet with him/her and ask to see before/after pictures of past patients. Based on that information, as well as your... more

Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Smart Lipo gimmick or not?

Mariniya, The jury is still out on whether Smartlipo creates any greater skin shrinkage than either traditional or ultrasonic liposuction. It is a great buzz word and uses "laser energy" so the media really latches onto it. The fact remains that no one has compared the two in a head to head manner yet. Neither technology will replace tummy tuck in the treatment of significant skin excess. You would probably do very well with either method, assuming that you do not need skin... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Traditional versus Smart Lipo

Liposuction involves destroying the fat cell with some form of energy and then removing it. Traditional liposuction uses mechanical energy to destroy the fat cell. Smart lipo uses laser energy to destroy the fat cell. Traditional liposuction removes the fat cells using a vacuum. Smart lipo relies on the body to absorb the fat after it has been destroyed. The results of traditional liposuction are seen immediately. The results of smart liposuction are not seen for 6-12 weeks. The real... more

William R. Burden, MD
Pensacola Plastic Surgeon

Smart Lipo does not equal good Lipo

A plastic surgeon experienced with liposuction can achieve equally good results with what ever equipment he is skilled at using. If a plastic surgeon has bought the expensive equipment required to do Smart Lipo, he or she will tell you it is worth the higher price tag. Liposuction results are determined by the skill and experience of the surgeon and not the equipment that is used. Best Wishes Dr. Peterson

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Traditional vs Laser Lipo

We use a combination of power assisted tumescent liposuction and laser liposuction. We do everything under local anesthesia, outpatient. Results with this combined technique are excellent.

Edmond A. Zingaro, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Just as Dr. Yates has said

The technology isn't the issue, it is the skill of the surgeon and the quality and elasticity of your skin that will determine your result. Look up all the answers on Real Self regarding Smart lipo and you will find that it isn't so smart after all!

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Choose your surgeon, let him pick which is best for you

The differences between smartlipo and traditional liposuction has been discussed at length elsewhere in realself.com. My suggestion for you would be to choose a board certified plastic surgeon whom you trust and let him discuss which would be best for you. Currently, you may have trouble finding a board certified plastic surgeon who does smartlipo as this is largely used by non-surgeons and non-plastic surgeons (surprising but true). The qualifications and skill of the surgeon is much... more

York Jay Yates, MD
Salt Lake City Plastic Surgeon

Forget Lipo names, seek a good, experienced surgeon

These names you hear are for marketing purposes. The real question is how much fat remains after liposuction. An experienced surgeon can use either of these with the same results. The idea of these marketing gimmicks is to make one technique sound special so you will go to that doctor. Therefore, choose the doctor--not the technique.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

It is the user mainly

It seems that you could be a very good candidate for liposuction in general. Localised lipodystrophy is a good indication. Smart lipo uses the laser as a modality to melt the fat. I think there are few areas where smart lipo could have a small advantage like the neck area. The main factor in my mind is the plastic surgeon who will be doing the lipo. I have seen complications from all types of lipo (ultrasound, laser, etc.). The key is the user. Liposuction is a relatively simple procedure in... more

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Either Liposuction methods will achieve same results

What you need to make sure of is that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon. Getting Smart Lipo vs traditional Lipo, long term results are not any different. It is just a matter of who will be doing your surgery. The majority of doctors who are perfoming the Smart Lipo procedure are not plastic surgeons so just becareful. Hope that helps.