Difference Between Vaser Lipo, Smart Lipo, and Slim Lipo?

Question

I'm confused with Vaser Lipo, Smart Lipo, and Slim Lipo! Is it more of a doctor's preference? I have had several estimates for lipo and each doctor uses something different.

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

I agree with many surgeons that say it is the surgeon who is the most important factor in the outcome of liposuction. However, many surgeons do not have the knowledge or experience with much of the newer technology, and therefore may not be providing the best advice. SmartLipo Triplex utilizes three separate wavelengths, 1440 nm which liquefies fat (40 times more affinity to fat than other laser on the market ) by what is called the photo-acoustic effect (without heat ). The second is 1320 nm which is primarily absorbed by water and is used to heat the dermal collagen for better skin tightening. The third wavelength is 1640 nm and is mostly for hemostasis ( to seal the blood vessels ) so there is minimal bleeding and bruising afterwards. Although the end result may be similar with a good plastic surgeon, I can tell you from my experience using traditional tumescent liposuction and the SmartLipo Triplex, that for the patient, their experience and recovery is significantly different using the SmartLipo Triplex. Vaser is older technology ( 8 years old ) and utilizes ultrasonic energy to liquefy the fat (not radio-frequency ) before liposuction. It generates quite a bit of heat and can damage the skin if the surgeon is not careful. Slim Lipo, basically utilizes a single wavelength ( actually 2 wave lengths that are very close together ) to liquefy the fat, and is comparable to the older forms of SmartLipo ( about 6 years ago ). In addition, there are other devices like Body-Jet ( water assisted lipo ) that are excellent for treating larger volumes of fat. Look for a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction and knowledge of newer technology and devices.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Vaser liposuction, also known as Vaser #lipo, LipoSelection or Liposuction, is an advanced body #contouring procedure that selectively removes unwanted body fat. An alternative to the harsh techniques of traditional liposuction, #Vaser lipo uses state-of-the-art ultrasound technology designed to gently #reshape your body. There are three types of #Vaser Lipo. Each benefit patients differently depending on their needs.
What distinguishes the Vaser lipo procedure is its ability to differentiate targeted #fat from other important tissues; such as nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. Innovative VASER #technology breaks up fat while preserving these other important tissues to promote smooth #results and rapid healing.
Both Smart and Slim lipo are similar to each other with the use of laser energy with less trauma to the body than traditional liposuction. However, a stainless steel wand is used with Smart Lipo to emit the laser energy  at a higher wavelength which also produces a lot of heat. During Slim Lipo, a fat removing and laser device is inserted through small incisions and releases shorter wavelengths allowing to specifically focus or isolate the tissues which need to be addressed without affecting other areas of the body. Slim Lipo's flexible wand can address more cells with each pass also, which utlizes less energy in the long-run. Meanwhile, Smart Lipo's metal wand is limited in flexibility preventing the ability to target all areas of concern. It also becomes extremely warm as a result of the metal conducting such high wavelengths potentially burning and damage to the area being addressed and neighboring non-fat tissue. Such factors may be the reason Slim Lipo often tends to be chosen over Smart Lipo. 
It's best to begin consulting with a board certified plastic surgery to learn if you are a candidate for liposuction. If so, you will then learn more about which #technique will work best for you and your goals. It is important you select a plastic surgeon who is #board-certified and has a great deal of experience with #vaser #liposuction. Aside from checking board-certification, it is suggested that you look at before and after photos of the surgeons actual patients, and read patient reviews.

Stanley Castor, MD · Answer

VASER, Smartlipo, Slimlipo are all newer machines to do liposuction. All of these machines melt fat before removal. If you visit three different doctors you will get 3 different opinions on which machine is used and better. Which technology is used is not as important as the doctors skill, experience and previous results. I would suggest you use a board certified Plastic Surgeon with experience in performing all types of liposuction

Steven Teitelbaum, MD · Answer

You are asking about the tool your surgeon will use.  What you are getting is LIPOSUCTION, and the differences between these techniques will affect your result less than will the surgeon performing it.
Smartlipo in particular is widely recognized to be a powerful marketing tool and little else.  I've never seen a shred of data on SlimLipo.  Vaser is a recognized method of doing liposuction and there are good published papers on it, but again, it is less important than the surgeon who does it.
 
Find someone certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who is also a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  Interview them.  See their pictures.  Examine their credentials.   When everything makes sense, select your surgeon.  And pay no attention to the method of liposuction that your selected surgeon prefers to use, because in the end it makes no difference.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

For the most part, lipo techniques are like different cars they all get you to where you want to go. I am not sure how much skin retraction you get with the Laser lipolysis machines, but I am not convinced that the results are any better than more traditional techniques.

Vincent D. Lepore, MD (retired) · Answer

Vaser, Smart, and Slim liposuction all add a power source to traditional liposuction. For Vaser lipo it is ultrasound energy and in the case of Smart and Slim lipo it is laser light energy. All three can aid a surgeon in removing more fat with less trauma. They also can aid in tightening or improving skin tone to some degree, but they should not be considered a subsitute for an abdominoplasty or neck lift when skin laxity is more severe. I do use Vaser and Smart lipo in my practice on those patients where the tissues are more dense (male chest, flanks, back) and where the energy suce may help skin tone (abdomen, neck, and arms).

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The Vaser Lipo uses ultrasound to break up the fat and liquefy the fat for easy removal. SlimLipo and SmartLipo use a laser to liquefy the fat before removal.
All three technologies work--the MOST IMPOTANT THING IS THE SKILL OF YOUR SURGEON. A highly skilled and experienced board certified plastic surgeon can get a good result with any sysytem.
There are very significant technical differences between the machines which are important to the surgeon.
The vaser using radiofrequency is more powerful and uses a stiff metal probe placed beneath the skin. If not used properly skin burns can occur. Because of the rigidity of the probe treating around curved body contours and in thin skin can be difficult if not dangerous. Generally, Vaser is most useful for very high volume fat removal in more obese people.
Smart Lipo also uses a stiff metal guide to hold the laser fiber and is thus also difficult to use around corners in curved body areas. Smart Lipo uses a 1064nm laser which specifically targets water in the fat, removing fat by first boiling the water in the fat.
I use Slim Lipo laser Assisted liposuction for several reasons. First, the SlimLipo uses a 924nm laser which is specifically absorbed by fat. Fat liquefication using this laser wavelength releases 3-5 times more fat per unit of laser energy than Smartlipo and Cool Lipo.
Secondly, the Slim Lipo laser fiber is inside a flexible quartz crystal and thus can be easily used around the corners of body curves.
You need to find an excellent, experienced board certified plastic surgeon and trust him/her to use the best technology suited for your case.
See before and after photos of Slim Lipo.

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