Smart Lipo vs. Traditional Liposuction on upper arms and love handles

I'm 5'2", 110 lbs, and Asian. I had Liposuction on my upper arms in 2004 and never really saw the results I was looking for. Will Smart Lipo on this area and love handles be any better, in results and downtime? I remember awful downtime before and would like to avoid it.

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11 answers to “Smart Lipo vs. Traditional...”

A: Smart Lipo will add more skin contraction

By Barry E. DiBernardo, MD - Montclair Plastic Surgeon

In terms of fat removal, I agree that laser and traditional lipo should get you to the similar place. However, the laser will stimulate cells in the skin to create increased collagen and elastin production which should show better contour not seen immediately, but with improvement over the next several... more

A: Smartlipo or Liposcution

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Both basically do the same thing. The Smartlipo does not create any more skin contraction than standard liposuction. Looking at your photos, I think you can get an excellent result.

A: There is another technology

By Andrew Y. Kleinman, MD - Westchester Plastic Surgeon

There is also VASER Lipo. This technology uses ultrasound to break up the fat cells. This is a safe alternative for eliminating unwanted fat, revealing a smooth new shape with fast recovery. This technology helps to gently reshape your body. There has been great results especially when VASER Lipo is used... more

A: Smart Lipo only as smart as your surgeon

By Peter E. Johnson, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

The truth is that all current available techniques of liposuction are comparable and can deliver comparable results. I have used several systems and can get good results with all. The key is experience and good judgment with proper patient selection. The data we have to review at the present time does not... more

A: smartlipo- shorter down time

By David E. Berman, MD - Sterling Plastic Surgeon

You should have less down time from Smartlipo. i expect my pts to return to work in 2 days and resume exercising in 7-10 days. You may get some or even excellent improvement in your love handles and upper arms or you may not. It is very hard to predict how much improvement a pt will get from either Smartlipo... more

A: Smart Lipo is just a gimmick.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

To picky82, Hi! You look like you should do great with tumescent liposuction using very small cannulas. I don't know why you did not do well the first time. But the machine is ALMOST NEVER the problem. It's who is using the machine. Liposuction is really sculpture. You have to have a... more

A: That is doubtful in my opinion

By Bruce Barach, MD - Albany Plastic Surgeon

There are different tools that different plastic surgeons use to do liposuction. some use ultrasound, others use "PAL" or power-assisted , some use conventional only. i like to use ultrasonic with conventional, but i do not believe that others who use different methods don't get equally good results.... more

A: Both should give good results

By Richard Baxter, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Smart lipo uses a laser to liquefy the fat, which is then suctioned out. Skin tightening is often the biggest issue with lipo of the upper arms. Proponents of smart lipo claim that it produces better skin tightening but this has never been proven in any published study, so either technique should be satisfactory.

A: Studies show no difference for method of liposuction

By Benjamin Van Raalte, MD - Davenport Plastic Surgeon

A study in Plastic in Reconstructive Surgery compared results of Smart Lipo with tumescent liposuction. Patients had one side done by Smart Lipo and the other done by conventional liposuction. There was no difference. A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial Comparing Laser-Assisted... more

A: Smartlipo is probably your answer

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Picky82, Smartlipo is probably your answer. Since you have already had liposuction and did not see the results you were looking for, the Smartlipo MPX may be what you need. In addition to melting the fat, the Smartlipo also helps tighten up the skin. This could give you improvement in your arms and your... more

More answers to Smart Lipo vs. Traditional Liposuction on upper arms and love handles
Orlando - Consider VASER

Comments

picky82
10 posts
22 Jan 2009

Wow, thank all of you so much for your speedy responses. My next question is, how much fat do you think can be extracted (especially from arms)? I understand it's hard to know from bad photos, but I have an athletic build and not much can be 'pinched' when I flex my arm. Thanks doc(s)!

Dorian Martin
3 posts
23 Jan 2009

I am planning on getting traditional lipo done in the next two weeks. I am tall and very fit with just the general problem areas. I have heard good and bad feedback but am concerned about possibly 'bumpiness'? The doctor says recovery time is crucial and I should be fine- but I am concerned about loose skin and if I should hold out for Smart Lipo... any thoughts would be appreciated!

picky82
10 posts
24 Jan 2009

well i dont think loose skin was much of an issue as i didn't have much taken out....in fact, i think that's just the issue: i had very little to take out initially. i do think, however, my surgeon was on the conservative side and i wish i would have done two things differenlty: 1. really explained to doc what i wanted EXACTLY where 2. had more reasonable expectations 3. worn a tighter compression garment post-op. it's jsut so itchy and uncomfortable and i was so eager to take it off--> dumb! i really want to try the smart lipo but so far it seems everyone is saying that nothing beats traditional lipo

View 1 reply

picky82
10 posts
25 Jan 2009

well b/c i am thin already, their xs was actually not that tight. My bad. Otherwise, I'm relaly glad i went through with it initially and YES I will do it again. This time armed with a better idea of what want and what to expect (hopefully) best luck to u!

Dorian Martin
3 posts
26 Jan 2009

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping all turns out well. Hopefully not too much pain!

lotsoques
20 posts
9 Feb 2009

Hi picky82, I was so glad to see your entry. We are exactly the same height and weight and I too am asian. I am planning to get smartlipo in a few weeks and I have been doing a lot of research and asking alot of questions of my surgeon. I also went on a couple of consults and from what I hear, Smartlipo MPX is a good option for our body type. I, myself am looking for contouring, moreso than weightloss. Also, some surgeons do both the smartlipo followed up by traditional lipo to suction out the fat rather than allow the body to naturally absorb it. You may want to ask your potential doctor, what procedure they use and perhaps if they do both like mine does. As my surgery date approaches, I will keep you posted. Best of luck in your decision.

Steven A. Schlosser M.D.
92 posts
21 Jan 2009

Considering your size, I believe that Smart Lipo will provide superior results for you. First off, the recovery period is shorter and less uncomfortable. Secondly skin tightening with Smart Lipo is signicant and allows work in the superficial fat where traditional liposuction does not produce good results. This is the so called "sacred centimeter" that traditional Lipo surgeons are taught to avoid so as not to produce skin dimpling or irregularities. Smart Lipo is a body sculpting procedure. From your pictures, I'd suggest that is what you need if diet and exercise won't do the job alone. Smart Lipo has an 82% patient satisfaction rate which is quite good for any cosmetic procedure. Good luck !

aheron
1 post
5 Feb 2009

Smart Lipo is much better because it destroys fat cells and results in skin tightening. In addition, one can return back to work in 2 days after the Smart Lipo procedure.

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