Nowadays, more and more people want to look and feel good about themselves, the popularity of body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to soar.
Catering to the needs of people who want to get rid of unwanted fat is a state-or-the-art lipolysis system called SmartLipo.
Employing the use of high-powered laser, SmartLipo offers a minimally invasive fat-reduction procedure without the side effects of traditional techniques.
What is SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is a revolutionary liposuction technique which involves the use of laser to destroy fat cells. This new method provides a faster, safer and more cost-effective way to eliminate fat.
How does it work?
A calibrated laser is used to liquefy fat deposits through the top layers of the skin. The energy emitted by the laser causes the fat cells to rupture; the resulting oily substance will then be removed by the cosmetic surgeon through a tiny incision in the skin.
The laser can also seal blood vessels as it acts on the fat, as a result swelling, bleeding and bruising will be lesser than with traditional liposuction.
How is the SmartLipo procedure performed?
SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure and can be done under local anesthesia. On average, a single session will take up to 2-3 hours, depending on the area treated. The laser fiber is introduced into your skin through a very small canula approximately 1-2 mm in diameter.
The canula is moved back and forth as the laser emits energy to the fat cells, this will cause cells to rupture and drain away easily. The laser also affects the dermis, your skin’s inner layer, and results in collagen shrinkage. Additionally, the laser seals your small blood vessels immediately on contact, promotes lesser swelling and bruising, and a faster road to recovery than conventional liposuction.
Who are good candidates for SmartLipo?
The good news is that almost everyone can be good candidate for this new liposuction technique. If you have areas of body fat that have barely responded to diet and exercise, then you’re a candidate for SmartLipo. Ideal candidates are those who are in good health, of normal body weight and have realistic expectations of SmartLipo.
During your consultation visit, the cosmetic surgeon will assess whether you are a good candidate with respect to your medical health. You should talk to the physician about what you expect from SmartLipo and he or she will let you know what SmartLipo can offer you.
SmartLipo is a recommended technique for those people who don’t have a lot of time to spend in recovery. Patients who have undergone this procedure can typically go back to work in 1-2 days.
What are the advantages of SmartLipo over traditional Liposuction?
The minimally invasive nature of SmartLipo allows patients to enjoy good results with fewer traumas and less downtime. SmartLipo entails the use of laser technology to dissolve and liquefy the fat; moreover, it tightens the skin to minimize the looseness that is usually associated with traditional liposuction. SmartLipo can be used alone in eliminating fats in smaller areas or in combination with liposuction to treat larger areas of fat such as in the abdomen and thighs.
| Conventional Liposuction | Smart Lipo | |
| Anesthesia | Requires general anesthesia, the patient is unconscious during the surgery. | Local anesthesia. Patient is awake throughout the procedure. |
| Pain after the procedure | After the operation, many patients experience significant pain which requires prescription pain relievers. | The local anesthetic is expected to numb the area for about 18 hours. Mild pain can be managed with over-the-counter meds. |
| Downtime | Considerable downtime. Typically takes several weeks before patient resumes to normal activity. | Minimal downtime. In most cases, patients are able to go back to work within a day or two after the procedure. |
| Complications | Possible complications include anesthesia reactions, excessive bleeding and infections. | Very low incidence of complications. Does not involve risks that are associated with general anesthesia. |
| Scars | The large-sized canula may leave permanent scars. | Generally does not cause permanent scarring because the canula is small. |
| Results | No skin tightening effect. The skin may not adjust to the fat elimination leaving patients with loose skin. | The laser dissolves the fat cells and promotes skin tightening on the area that is being worked on. |