Jennifer S. Landy MD

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 Smartlipo you are gently melting the fat with a laser fiber which is much less traumatic to body and results in less swelling and bruising which lends to a much quicker recovery time then with traditional liposuction where you are manually breaking up the fat.

In addition, Smartlipo will give you a skin tightening effect so you are not left with loose saggy skin after removing the fat. I have had great results with Smartlipo but you should consult with your doctor to determine which procedure may be best for you.

The recovery time from a blepharoplasty procedure may vary from patient to patient however it is typically between one to two weeks. The majority of swelling and bruising is usually resolved by two weeks. There is typically no discomfort following a blepharoplasty so the downtime is mostly related to swelling and bruising. Depending on whether just the upper or lower eyelids are done or all four eyelids are done will also factor into the recovery time. Doing all four eyelids may result in a slightly longer recovery. However, I typically tell my patients that in one to two weeks their swelling and bruising should be resolved.

Typically, after traditional liposuction, fat is removed but there is not a skin tightening effect other then contraction from scar tissue formation. However, with some of the newer liposuction techniques that utilize a laser or ultrasound device there is a skin tightening effect that occurs. The laser is able to stimulate your own collagen and produce a skin tightening effect. You should discuss with your doctor options for liposuction and some of your decision making process will depend on your age, your skin tone or laxity and amount of fat to be removed. An individual consultation is always paramount to getting an optimal result.

There are many factors that would go into your decision of wether to have traditional vs. laser liposuction such as amount of fat and skin laxity etc. However the advantages of laser liposuction over traditional are less downtime and a quicker recovery, less trauma to the body, can be done without general anesthesia and you will get a skin tightening effect from the laser. To know what your best options are you should always have a consultation with your doctor.

Typically, bruising lasts between one and two weeks however each individual heals at a different rate. If you are taking any blood thinners or anti inflammatory medications you should discuss with your doctor about stopping them prior to the surgery to reduce the amount of bleeding and post operative bruising.