Smart Lipo Vs. Liposuction on Upper Arms and Love Handles Doctor Answers, Tips
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Smart Lipo Vs. 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.

13 Doctor Answers | Asked by picky82
+3

Smart Lipo will add more skin contraction

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 months.
+3

Both should give good results

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.
+2

Smartlipo of the arms and love handles

Based on your information provided and photos you should be able to get a home run result with smartlipo or ultrasonic liposuction . Downtime and bruising, pain, discomfort should be minimal with either procedure. Mae sure your plastic surgeon has a lot of experience in liposuction to get the results you are looking for.

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+1

Upper arms

I think that laser lipo will get you a better result. In my opinion traditional lipo cannot get as much fat nor can it contour as well. Skin tightening will happen to some degree with the use of the laser and of course, it is performed under sedation only. Be aware that a repeat procedure is difficult because of the scar tissue. Flanks are hugely successful.
+1

There is another technology

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 on arms. You might want to find a plastic surgeon who performs VASER lipo. Good luck!
+1

Smart Lipo only as smart as your 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 demonstrate the clear advantage with the Smart Lipo system or other available laser lipo systems. To some surgeons the tool may help them acheive their personal best results, but we cannot... more
+1

Smartlipo- shorter down time

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 or ultrasonic liposuction in a pt, who already has quite a good shape, as you do. Smartlipo, I believe, is especially advantageous when you have already had liposuction to these areas... more
+1

Smart Lipo is just a gimmick.

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 good eye and not quit until the result is right. You can expect very little pain and some bruising for up to 3 weeks.
+1

That is doubtful in my opinion

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. Good results come from good surgeons who know what they are doing and using those tools which they have found to best serve them. It's the surgeon, not the equipment, that will... more
+1

Studies show no difference for method of liposuction

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 Lipoplasty with Suction-Assisted Lipoplasty. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 118(4):1032-1045, September 15, 2006. Prado, Arturo M.D.; Andrades, Patricio M.D.; Danilla, Stefan M.D... more
+1

Smartlipo is probably your answer

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 abdominal area. The recovery from Smartlipo is generally quicker than traditional liposuction. However, every patient is different. I have had some Smartlipo patients go back to work... more
+1

Consider VASER

Hi there- Having used every form of liposuction available, including laser liposuction, I believe the very best option for the areas you mention is the VASER. It is more effective and (I believe) safer than the laser units and much more effective in these areas than liposuction alone. Good luck!
+1

Smartlipo or Liposcution

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.
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