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I don't care for SmartLipo or laser lipolysis. I don't think it has any advantages over carefully performed liposculpture with the PALS (power assisted liposculpture) technique. It is advertised as "new liposuction" with unsubstantiated claims that it is superior to conventional liposuction. I have not seen one single solid study done in this country showing it is superior to conventional liposuction and has a lower complication rate. And it has dangers that are profound, unique to the laser and not found in conventional liposuction or PALS. Any small liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia with satisfactory patient comfort, so no advantage there. With laser lipo techniques, Laser energy is applied below the skin to melt fat. Everybody and their sister from every possible specialty is taking a course and then doing the laser lipo because it is "New" "Revolutionary" and patients who don't know better flock like moths to the light to seek wonder treatments. However laser can also melt nerve sheaths, made of sphingomyelin, a fatty compound. What are the long term effects on nerves? We now know know about the chronic pain disasters from ultrasound liposuction when the energy is applied for too long in one spot. Laser can burn the subdermal plexus, literally the blood supply to the skin. This can burn the skin, change its texture/color or make a hole. Are you better off having "laser liposuction" from somebody who took the course last weekend, or go to a board certified plastic surgeon with 20 years experience with various liposuction techniques? You decide that one. I have personally seen a patient on whom laser lipolysis was performed in the submental area with a full thickness burn to her face along the jawline. She will have a scar for life on her face. This would never have happened from submental liposuction under local anesthesia without the laser. I have seen another patient with terrible irregularities in the upper abdomen from laser lipolysis. So where is the greater safety profile? I know this will be an unpopular post, but I feel it my duty to give the other side to this marketing juggernaut.
To understand laser lipo (smart lipo), you need to understand traditional lipo. Traditional lipo is a two-step process. The first step is the injection of "wetting solution" into the fat. The purpose of the wetting solution is to constrict blood vessels (to minimize blood loss), and to deliver anesthesia into the fat. If large amounts of anesthesia are injected into the fat, the procedure is called tumescent liposuction and it can be done with the patient wide awake. If low amounts of anesthesia are injected into the fat, the procedure is called superwet liposuction and it is done with the patient asleep. The anesthesia lingers after the surgery to provide pain relief. The second step of traditional liposuction is the removal of fat with suction tubes called cannulas. Laser lipo is an extra step added in between the two steps of traditional liposuction in which a specially designed laser fiber is passed through the fat layers and fired to destroy the fat cells using heat energy. It is claimed that this step can soften the fat layers to make suction of the fat easier, seal blood vessels to reduce blood loss, and shrink collagen near the skin surface to enhance skin shrinkage. Most surgeons who use these lasers doubt the first two claims, but find useful skin shrinkage in properly selected patients.
Smartlipo MPX (Multiplex) is a revolutionary liposuction technique that utilizes a YAG laser with two separate wavelengths (compared to Smartlipo with just one) to carefully liquefy fat cells and promote skin tightening. In conjunction with Tumesent Liposuction, it offers a smoother contour with more adequate fat removal. It can also be used alone in areas to promote skin tightening.This laser-assisted lipolysis procedure is performed using a small, two millimeter cannula inserted into the skin. A laser fiber inside of the cannula delivers energy directly to fat cells, causing them to rupture and drain away as liquid. Simultaneously, vessels around the area coagulate, resulting in less bleeding and overall tighter skin tissue.SmartlipoMPX Laser Body Sculpting is best for areas that do not respond to diet or exercise. The perfect candidate is in good health, is of normal body weight and is realistic about what Smartlipo can accomplish.SmartlipoMPX Laser Body Sculpting is ideal for treating areas that are difficult to treat with conventional liposuction: the neck and jaw line, inner arms, breasts in men, "bra fat", abdomen and "love handles", inner and outer thighs and knees.These areas, although difficult to adequately treat with traditional liposuction, are safely treated with the Smartlipo MPX laser. SmartLipo MPX is more versatile than traditional liposuction because we’re able to thread a tiny laser under the skin, targeting localized fat deposits. There is less bruising with Smartlipo MPX, and since the laser stimulates collagen production, the skin is firmer and more taut than with regular liposuction. I have treated many patients with different types of liposuction and am convinced that this technology offers many advantages over conventional liposuction.As with any cosmetic procedure, it is important that the surgeon be a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in the aesthetic procedures you are inquiring about.
This is the most frequently asked question by my patients in my practice.Smart Lipo is less invasive, patients are highly satisfied, and you can return to normal activity quicker.There is less bleeding, swelling and bruising with Smart Lipo. Also, with Smart Lipo, you also have tightened skin from collagen production where lasers are used. This is visible after three to six weeks. Another difference between Smart Lipo and traditional liposuction is that the procedure can be done under local anesthesia instead of general anesthesia, which means Liposuction introduced the world to body contouring. Now Smart Liposuction takes an amazing concept and makes it even better. Whether your doctor uses it to complement traditional liposuction for large areas or to treat targeted trouble spots, Smart Liposuction was the first and is the trusted choice in laser-assisted lipolysis.TRADITIONAL LIPOSUCTION:Under general anesthesia Loose Skin remains where fat is suctioned outSignificant PainIncreased chance of complications ( Based on Touch ups)Resume work after 7-10 daysSMARTLIPOLocal anesthesia Tightened skin from collagen production where lasers are used (visible after three to six weeks months)Less PainLess chance of complications (based on touch ups)Resume work after two days
With Smartlipo, a laser helps melt and loosen fat before removal. Traditional liposuction procedures require the surgeon to manually dislodge the fat, which can cause trauma to the surrounding tissues. The laser energy Smartlipo applies has also been shown to tighten nearby skin, creating an overall improvement in skin tone. For those reasons, Smartlipo is my preferred approach.
SmartLipo is laser assisted Liposuction. Its probably better to research who is doing your procedure. Smart doctors have learned how to use technology to get the desired result. We combine both technology now. Liposuction using Smartlipo permanently destroys & removes the treated fat cells. Adults do not create new fat cells. One of my patients recently had SmartLipo but had poor results and was burned! She said "I didn't know that my cosmetic surgeon was not a Plastic Surgeon" We had to fix her abdomen and other areas damaged by the laser. Cost should not be the only criteria for selecting your Plastic Surgeon. Experience and training matters a lot. Non Plastic surgeons (cosmetic surgeons) tend to charge less than Plastic Surgeon. Below are other criteria to use when selecting a Plastic surgeon.Questions to ask (Answering NO is a big red flag)1) Are you a plastic surgeon? (Do you know difference between cosmetic surgeon & plastic surgeon)2) Are you board certified in Plastic Surgery?3) Will the procedure be performed at a fully accredited procedure room or ambulatory surgery center4) Do you have hospital privilege to perform liposuction or SmartLipo? 5) Do you offer complication insurance (it does happen, it better to be safe)The most important decision is to do your homework well. Any doctor can offer SmartLipo. Its your duty to know who is doing your procedure. Its better to choose a Smart Doctor. Good luck.
Smartlipo is a form of laser-assisted liposuction. The device melts the fat in the area, making it easier to remove with a cannula. The laser energy has also been found to boost collagen production, promoting skin retraction following surgery.
Smart Lipo is a laser that is made by the company Cynosure. There are different Smart Lipo machines on the market. The most recent version of the laser is the Smart Lipo Triplex which is considered their flagship. It consists of three different wavelength lasers all focusing on different elements. The 1064 wavelength focuses on red blood cells and helps with post operative bruising. The 1320 focuses mainly on water content and heats the tissue to assist in tightening the skin. The 1440 wavelength focuses on fat and helps to melt the fat. All three are used to create an end result of tighter skin and less fat in the regions the surgeon focuses on. It stimulates the collagen and cells in the skin to shrink and improve contour.
Smart lipo is performed with laser energy to melt away fat prior to aspiration. An excellent modality. Speak to a surgeon who performs all types of liposuction to understand all of your options. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles
I agree with most other doctors answers here. While I do smart lipo and like many aspects about the laser it is not nearly as important as the judgement, skills and experience of the surgeon. I try to discourage patients from putting too much emphasis on the tool or technique rather than the trust in the surgeon. The smart lipo laser can help to loosen thongs up and emulsify fat as well as thermally help with skin tightening. But it is only a tool and I use it in specific ways on specific patients that may benefit from it. In the right hands it can make slight improvements on results. In the wrong hands it can be a disaster. Nothing replaces good technique and artistry....and that's the way it should be.
The only SmartLipo I would consider as representative of what SmartLipo can do in 2013 is the SmartlipoTriplex. This machine controls the heat delivered under the skin, has a safety cut-off that prevents temperatures that could burn the skin, and has a 1440 wavelength that is a multiple more specific for fat melting than the previous 1064 and 1320. It is faster, goes through tissue in a non-traumatic way with a thin laser cannula, and can soften and break down fibrous or scarred fatty tissue very effectively. In addition, unlike regular liposuction, and better than vaser ultrasonic liposuction, it tightens the skin. You don't get this effect unless you specifically heat the undersurface of the skin to 42-45 degrees Centigrade, but if you do, the skin objectively shrinks. This is great for the abdomen and upper arms, where loose skin after liposuction detracts from the result. The disadvantage is that the technology is quite expensive. I use both Vaser ultrasonic and Smartlipo Triplex. I use the Vaser for large volume procedures in the surgery center, and the Smartlipo Triplex for office operating room procedures, completely under tumescent local anesthetic. Patients come and go without ever being under general anesthesia. The recovery is rapid. There is going to be a tissue recovery phase that takes about the same time, several weeks to months, for any method. When specific skin tightening with the application of heat is done with Smartlipo Triplex, this phase is prolonged. The skin can get quite firm for several months, and there can be some lumpiness. This resolves and you get the benefit of skin tightening. Ladies who have a lot of bulky abdominal fat and loose skin, but who do not want a tummy tuck, can have Smartlipo Triplex and have a nice result, with skin shrinkage. It's not a tummy tuck, but the fat is removed and a nice improvement is achieved without hanging skin in selected patients.
