Smart lipo vs regular lipo for skin elasticity and fat transfer?

Question

If someone was interested in getting liposuction in multiple areas with different skin elasticity and was also interested in fat grafting, would it make sense to get smart lipo in an area with slightly looser skin, and regular lipo in an area with good skin elasticity for fat grafting? Could this be done at the same time?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

When considering liposuction options and fat grafting, it's important to understand how different techniques may affect skin elasticity and the quality of fat for transfer. Here’s a breakdown to help guide your decision:

Smart Lipo vs. Regular Lipo:
Smart Lipo: This technique uses laser technology to assist in fat removal and is often touted for its ability to tighten skin to some degree. It might be beneficial for areas with slightly looser skin, as the heat from the laser can stimulate collagen production and improve skin tone.
Regular Liposuction: Traditional liposuction involves mechanically suctioning out fat without the use of laser technology. It’s often preferred for fat grafting because it preserves the viability of fat cells better, which is crucial for successful fat transfer.

Skin Elasticity Considerations:
If you have areas with looser skin, Smart Lipo could potentially offer a dual benefit of fat reduction and skin tightening. However, the degree of skin tightening can vary from person to person.
Regular liposuction is typically recommended for areas where fat grafting is desired, as it typically yields a higher quality of fat for transfer.

Combining Procedures:
Combining Smart Lipo and regular liposuction in different areas of the body is possible and can be done during the same procedure. However, this decision should be based on a thorough assessment by your surgeon, who can evaluate your skin elasticity, fat distribution, and overall health.
Discuss your goals and concerns with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can tailor the approach to your specific needs and ensure optimal outcomes for both liposuction and fat grafting.

Ultimately, the choice between Smart Lipo and regular liposuction should be guided by the specific characteristics of the areas being treated and your desired results. A personalized consultation with a qualified surgeon will provide the best plan tailored to your individual needs.

Ayham Al-Ayoubi, MD, MS, DLO RCS · Answer

With the Smartlipo treatment the patients have significant skin tightening especially if the surgeon uses the Smartlipo Trpilex system. This system has the ability to introduce enough laser energy, heating the skin and the fat within safe parameters, which will give the skin a tightening effect.The Smartlipo Trplix has a special safety future called the ThermaGuide temperature sensing cannula measuring the temperature sub-dermally near the treatment site. This information is relayed back to the laser.Therefore, the patient will have very tighten skin after the Smartlipo due to the thermal effect of the laser energy & even the areas which have lose skin can be treated with the Smartlipo to give tighten skin with or without fat reduction.Mr Ayham Al-Ayoubi Facial Plastic & Laser Surgeon

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

The idea behind smart lipo (laser lipo) is to heat up the tissues beneath the skin in the hope of tightening it up during a lipo procedure when there is mild laxity. The problem with lasers is that they don't work very well in this regard. So they were replaced with radiofrequency technologies which work better to tighten up the skin as well as the subcutaneous tissues. The best known devices are the Renuvion/J-Plasma and the BodyTite. They're not magical, they're not for everyone, and they only work well if the liposuction is done expertly at the same time. You would require a consultation to determine if these technologies would offer you any benefit in the areas that bother you. If you have mild tissue laxity, these technologies are an option. If you have more laxity, they are not effective. Fat grafting can certainly be done at the same time. The fat is harvested before any heating of the tissues is done so as not to damage the fat cells.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

There are various non-invasive modalities claiming to tighten skin (laser, radiofrequency). However, they are very limited, if not ineffective in “tightening” your skin; they are not a magic wand for sure. We rely heavily on your inherent skin elasticity and retraction of your skin in the context of liposuction. This is why it is not uncommon to perform mini-skin tucks at the same time of liposuction of the abdomen.

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

In order to ensure the viability of fat cells during fat transfer one must used only traditional or power assist liposuction. Smart Lipo or the use of the laser device will simply melt all the fat and leave nothing but oil. This oil has no live tissue and will result in a very poor outcome of fat transfer. Smart Lipo will also not improve on the skin accessory as all the data have shown that it really does not tighten the skin. I hope this helps and good luck from New York City Plastic Surgery, Leonard Grossman MD.

Smart lipo vs regular lipo for skin elasticity and fat transfer?

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Answer: Smart lipo

Answer: Smart lipo

Answer: Type of liposuction to be used for fat transfer

Answer: Type of liposuction to be used for fat transfer

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Smart lipo vs regular lipo for skin elasticity and fat transfer?

Answers (6)

Answer: Smart lipo

Answer: Smart lipo

Answer: Type of liposuction to be used for fat transfer

Answer: Type of liposuction to be used for fat transfer

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.