What is the difference between Smart Lipo and regular Liposuction?

The only difference between Smart Lipo and regular liposuction is that you add the use of a low energy laser after infiltration with tumescent solution prior to suctioning out the fat. It does not remove more fat. It does not improve contouring. These are performed (and therefore improved by technique) when aspirating the fat. It is not less traumatic. Analysis of the aspirate shows more blood product is found in laser-assisted liposuction (Smart Lipo, Slim Lipo) than in regular liposuction aspirate. The only way you have significantly less trauma, bruising, swelling, and downtime is to have less surgery (i.e. inferior work performed). As for the laser tightening your skin, your skin will tighten with ALL liposuction modalities, it just takes longer with regular liposuction (usually starts in 2-3 months).There is one other difference. Your wallet will be lighter for adding laser assist to your liposuction procedure. The laser machinery is expensive and the companies put a lot of money into their marketing and advertising propaganda.

Good Question! I usually recommend Smart Lipo to patients who have limited fat areas with mildly loose skin who are adamant that they do not want traditional liposuction or an abdominoplasty( tummy tuck). These patients could also have traditional liposuction but because the skin is a bit looser than I would like to see, I would use this technology as it gives a better skin tightening effect. However it is not a replacement for a tummy tuck or some other type of procedure depending on the area. Selection of the appropriate candidate and realistic expectations are paramount in achieving a happy patient. So to answer your question a surgeon would need to know what areas you want corrected, photos of the area, your age, health, weight, previous weight loss or gain, pregnancies etc.  These factors all need to be evaluated before you can have a reasonable answer. William Aiello, MD  Orange County CA