Is Smart Lipo a Scam? Why Do So Many Plastic Surgeons NOT Do It?

       As someone who recently graduated from Harvard plastic surgery fellowship and as someone who performs hundreds of liposuction procedures each year, I have used ultrasonic, conventional, and smart lipo.  There are elements of each that I do not like.  However, I still think that the conventional liposuction gives great results with the fewest number of complications.   Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Smart Liposuction is a technology that has been well accepted over the last several years.  It has been shown scientifically how the laser can tighten the skin and melt the fat with less trauma and healing time than traditional liposuction.  The technology has also improved over the years as the laser power gets stronger. Some surgeons may not do it because of the significant cost of buying and maintaining the laser.  However, when performed on the proper patient, Smartlipo is an excellent choice for targeting smaller areas like the neck, arms, and thighs. Be sure to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon when scheduling surgery.

A good surgeon will get a good result with each of the several variations of liposuction available. Each method has its own minor advantages and disadvantages.

Smartlipo refers to the laser which melts the fat and also creates some skin tightening. The fat still needs to be suctioned, following the lasering. The neck and arms especially will show the benefits of the laser for tightening.

Smartlipo is a great procedure that can help rid of unwanted fat cells. As more patients want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to grow in popularity, making liposuction the most popular cosmetic surgery.

SmartLipo adds another dimension to body sculpting.  The technology is expensive, but it allows for fat to be melted, and the skin to be tightened safely using thermal sensors.  So seek out some board certified plastic surgeons that use the technique.  With experience and advances in technology, the results can be better for you.  In my own practice I offer traditional microcannula tumescent liposuction, Vaser, and SmartLipo.  They all have a place and are effective tools in the right hands.

Smart lipo is definitely not a scam. There are a lot of doctors that have refused to adopt the new technologies due to their high costs. As a result, these doctors will 'poo-poo' these devices. The one caveat to this is as follows. The smart lipo is a laser that will melt fat and help for the skin to tighten. As an actual liposuction device, the smart lipo is misnamed as it does not perform any of the fat removal, or 'liposuction.' Doctors will use the device to melt the fat prior to its removal, and then use any of a number of types of instruments to suction, or remove, the melted fat. 

I do not think it is a scam. More fat can be removed with better sculpting. There are always laggards when new procedures come along. Also, remember that the equipment  is in the $150,000 range and proper training is time consuming and expensive