The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

SmartLipo [TM] - Thursday, October 16, 2008

Because liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, several ways of performing it have been developed. SmartLipo uses a laser for body sculpting, which makes it different from all other liposuction procedures.

Medical lasers are very safe, efficient and precise. The laser used for SmartLipo is small and its energy penetrates the skin without burning it, to disintegrate the unwanted fat cells beneath the skin.

The SmartLipo Procedure

Only local anesthetic is needed. A small cannula between one and two millimeters wide is inserted through a correspondingly small incision. It contains the laser and your cosmetic surgeon moves it around to deliver the laser energy to the treatment area. It ruptures the fat cells and at the same time seals any small blood vessels in the area.

Your surgeon removes the liquefied fat through the same small incision, and any remaining in the body will drain away naturally via the lymph system.

Advantages of SmartLipo

Because of the laser use and the small incisions you will have:

• Less bleeding
• Less bruising
• Less discomfort
• A shorter recovery time

Results are permanent in the sense that those fat cells are gone forever. However too much caloric intake could expand remaining fat cells in the same area or other areas, and you would be gaining weight with somewhat different contours than previously.

SmartLipo might be a good option if you have worked on diet and exercise and have come close to your ideal weight, but still have certain areas which refuse to slim down. It was approved by the FDA in November, 2006 and has proved to be a very safe, popular, and effective way to recontour your body.

For more information about SmartLipo and to speak with one of our surgeons, please contact our cosmetic surgery office.