Can Smart Lipo Be Used if You Are Overweight?

Question

I have been exercising for 2 months and eating a healthy diet. It seems like most of my fat is in my belly. Could Smart lipo be used to get a jump start on where I need to be?

Joel Schlessinger, MD · Answer

Liposuction and SmartLipo typically won't result in any weight loss.  In the patients I have performed this on who were overweight to begin with and were using it to 'jump start' their program, I have had dismal results.  The problem is that if they aren't motivated prior to surgery, they probably won't be after surgery. 
My recommendation is to go back to the diet and exercise and make sure that you can end up losing weight on your own (no crutches like phentiramine/etc) and if you can get to within 10% of your goal weight and still have areas that are needing improvement, then SmartLipo is an option.  Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Smart Lipo is good for stubborn areas of fat, but lacks body contouring and shaping. For best results, I recommend a hi-definition procedure like VASER liposuction, which can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, if there is skin laxity. I use VASER HI-DEF with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi-definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

You should try to maintain your healthy diet for several months, or even a year or so, before considering liposuction. You may find that diet alone can help reduce your fat.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

Two points:
1. I believe that people are preprogrammed to lose weight from certain areas before others. If your "problem area" is your abdomen, you could likely lose 30 or 40 lbs without seeing much change in this area. You would see it in your thighs, hips, buttocks and even breasts. This often leads to frustration and abandoned diet and weight loss plans. Levelling the "playing field" by doing liposuction on your problem area might allow you to continue to see the changes you seek and encourage you to continue diet and exercise.
2. I don't think smartlipo does anything that traditional liposuction doesn't do. The side by side comparison of patients treated on one side by smartlipo and the other by traditional tumescent lipo show no difference in bruising, swelling, recovery or ultimate result. Like so many other things in plastic surgery its as good as the person on the other end of the cannula.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

It is hard to give you good advice without direct examination  or viewing pictures.

I think you have a good understanding already that liposuction surgery is not meant as a weight loss “program” and is ideally done for patients who have isolated diet and exercise resistant adipose tissue in specific areas. The overlying skin of these areas ideally demonstrate good skin elasticity. In other words, these procedures are best done when patients are close to their long-term stable weight.

I would respectfully suggest that you continue your healthy lifestyle and  relatively slow weight loss;  see a well trained board-certified plastic surgeon when you are closer to your long-term stable weight.

Best wishes.

Theodore Katz, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Yes, you will get your best results from any form of liposuction when you are closest to what is your ideal weight.  
However, I find a small group of patients who are overweight (mildly) but are happy with themselves just want to address liposuction in a specific area of bulging.  
It may be appropriate under these circumstances to consider any form of liposuction - laser, Vaser, SmartLipo, etc.  Remember that any weight loss after this can result in changes that may require an additional procedure.

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

smartlipo is best used on relatively small areas that would be benefit from fat removal. i think it is important that you see a board certified plastic surgeon. this way, if you have too much fat to be removed by Smartlipo, he has the necessary skills to be able to recommend ultrasonic or regular liposuction. if you are just seeing a dermatologist who  does Smartlipo, they will not have these offer techniques available.
david berman md
plastic surgeon
northern Va

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It is an extremely rare case where liposuction should be done before you use natural methods of diet and exercise to get to within 10-20 lbs of your ideal weight.  2 months of exercise is not long enough to bail out and have liposuction done.  
Remember that liposuction is surgery, not just a "procedure," and carries all the risks of surgery.  It is not for weight loss and it is not a quick fix rather than having to do the hard work of diet and exercise.  
Watch "The Biggest Loser" on TV and get inspired!! You too can do it...

Can Smart Lipo Be Used if You Are Overweight?

Answers (8)

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