Power assisted lipo or Smart Lipo?

Question

What form of Lipo is better and works well smart lipo or power assisted Lipo?? I've gone to a few consultations and usually they were for smart lipo and yesterday went for a consultation and they brought up power assisted Lipo..

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Tickle liposuction, ilipo, vaser liposuction, cool sculpt, smart lipo, 3D Lipo, 4D Lipo- there are so many technologies out there, no wonder patients are confused.
The good news is that there is not one technique that is necessarily better than any other. The gold standard is the plain old liposuction cannula that people see in all the you tube videos. Now, there are technologies like laser (smartlipo) and vaser (ultrasound) that might help melt the fat before removal, but the reality is that good results can be obtained with any technology. This is what the studies have shown and what our plastic surgery societies (ASPS and ASAPS) stand by. The gold standard is simple cannulas without any lasers, ultrasounds or tickling devices.  And I say this, despite the fact that I use Vaser and Power Assisted Liposuction.
The most important consideration is the surgeon's experience. So my advice is to check your surgeon's qualifications, see before and after photos and get recommendations from family and friends. Realself is also a great research tool.
Don't get caught up in all the hype. Find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has experience and who you are comfortable with.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi roxieqt143,

The decision between Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) and Smart Lipo (laser-assisted liposuction) hinges on various factors, including your specific goals, the areas you want treated, and the amount of fat to be removed. Both methods have their unique advantages and are effective, but they cater to different needs and outcomes. Power Assisted Liposuction utilizes a vibrating cannula to break up fat cells, which is then suctioned out. This vibration allows for a more efficient fat removal process, often with less physical effort from the surgeon. It’s especially effective for removing larger volumes of fat and can be a good choice for areas with denser fat deposits. On the other hand, Smart Lipo uses laser energy to liquefy fat before it’s vacuumed out. The heat from the laser can also promote skin tightening, making it a great option for those who are concerned about skin laxity after liposuction. This method is known for its precision and is often used for more detailed body contouring.

Your choice should depend on what you're aiming to achieve with the liposuction. If your primary concern is removing a larger amount of fat or if the target areas have dense fat, PAL might be more suitable. However, if you're looking for more precise contouring and are concerned about skin laxity, Smart Lipo could be the better option. It's also important to consider the surgeon’s expertise and experience with each technique. A surgeon who is skilled and experienced with one method may be able to achieve better results than with a method they are less familiar with, regardless of the technology’s inherent advantages. Ultimately, the best approach is a personalized one, tailored to your body's needs and your aesthetic goals. Discuss these options thoroughly with your surgeon, considering their recommendations based on their assessment of your specific case. Remember, the success of liposuction isn't just about the technology used but also about the surgeon's skill and your body's response to the procedure.

Sincerely,

Dr. Katzen

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for writing,I consider liposuction devices as tools in a tool box. I choose the tool I need at the time I need it and often I use a few devices during the same operation based on what results I want. Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonMember: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryMember: American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Garrett M. Crabtree, MD · Answer

Both of these are simply adjuncts to liposuction. I Frequently use PAL because it reduces workload and fatigue on the surgeon. I have not found laser to contribute  appreciably to the final results. The most important aspect to consider is the experience of the surgeon. Make sure that you consult a surgeon with extensive experience performing the procedures that interest you. Garrett Crabtree MD

Robert Whitfield, MD · Answer

I incorporate BodyTite with PAL to give more tightening in the area being treated.  the most common areas I treat this way are are the love handles, abdomen, and inner thighs for women and the love handles in males.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for the question. In short, both treatments you mentioned are very distinct in what they do and both are worth mentioning in terms of what they accomplish:  Power-assisted lipoplasty is designed to lessen the work and time on the surgeon, secondary to its reverberating head. Smart lipo is a pre-treatment of the liposuction area in question which introduces energy in the form of heat and produces an added value of soft-tissue retraction.  In my practice i utilize PAL on all my lipoplasty cases in conjunction with Vaser.  Thats the standard for my practice and it produces exceptional results.

Pravin Reddy, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question.
If your goal is proper body contouring vs treating localized fat pockets, PALS is the better option.  In fact, a skilled surgeon can achieve high definition body sculpting with PALS while using a SAFE lipo technique (not possible with SmartLipo) to reduce the chance of contour irregularities.
Be sure you are getting advice from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with regards to your body contouring needs.  The majority of Plastic Surgeons do not use SmartLipo.
I hope this answer is helpful.

Praful Ramineni, MD · Answer

Although you will find differing opinions, there is no "best" type of liposuction.  Smart lipo tends to work well for office based procedures and may require less anesthesia as it tends to be less traumatic (and may have some minor additional skin tightening).  I find that Power assist (PALS) works well in patients who require large volume liposuction as it cuts down operative time (especially when it is performed as part of a combination procedure, and there is a desire to keep operative time under 6 hours to decrease complications).  You will no doubt find surgeons that are of the opinion that one type is better than the other, however there is no hard data that shows this.  The tool is only as good as the surgeon using it.  I would make sure you look at the credentials of the various surgeons you have seen and make sure you choose a plastic surgeon who is board certified by the american board of plastic surgery.

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

There are many different forms of liposuction today that are available. In my opinion, the painter is far more important than the paintbrush in this regard. I use power assisted liposuction, Vaser, as well as laser liposuction. I think they all have their role in modern plastic surgical body contouring. The laser method seems to work better on more defined and smaller areas. Vaser and power assist make the operation a little less fatiguing for the physician, more thorough for the patient, and I think a little less traumatic since the machine is moving while you're moving the machine. Hope that's helpful.

Stanley P. Gulin, MD (retired) · Answer

Both techniques work well. What is more important is the skill and knowledge of the plastic surgeon performing the procedure. Each plastic surgeon has his preference as to what works best for him. Be sure to consult with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

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