WHAT IS THE SMARTLIPO® PROCEDURE?
Smartlipo is a laser liposuction treatment that targets fat cells in areas of the body that do not usually respond well to diet and exercise. This body contouring procedure offers highly efficient fat removal and skin-tightening results with little downtime because of the laser device used.
IS SMARTLIPO® AS EFFECTIVE AS LIPOSUCTION?
Smartlipo combines traditional liposuction with the use of a laser. This offers several benefits that make it a better choice for many patients. The use of a laser in Smartlipo makes fat removal easier. The heat from the laser also helps to seal the blood vessels, reducing the bruising and swelling typically associated with traditional liposuction. In addition, the laser energy helps tighten the skin, which can deliver a better result than traditional liposuction.
WHAT AREAS CAN BE TREATED WITH SMARTLIPO®?
Smartlipo can treat nearly any part of the body that has stubborn excess fat, including the following areas:
- Abdomen
- Arms
- Neck
- Under the chin (submental area)
- Male chest
- Back
- Flanks
- Hips
- Thighs
- Axillae
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING SMARTLIPO® TREATMENT
ARE YOU AWAKE DURING SMARTLIPO®?
Depending on the needs of each laser liposuction patient, treatment is performed under either general anesthesia, intravenous sedation or local anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you are completely asleep. With local anesthesia, you are awake, but the target area is numbed so you do not feel the treatment. With sedation, you are awake, but medication is given to reduce pain sensations while the target area is being “numbed.”
WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURE STEPS?
After the areas to be treated are prepped with antiseptic solution, tumescent anesthesia is placed in the areas to be liposuctioned. This tumescent solution contains saline, local anesthetic and other medications that reduce bleeding and make the procedure more comfortable.
Once tumescent anesthesia has been placed in the area to be treated, a tiny tube containing a laser fiber is inserted through a small incision. The energy from the laser is used to heat the undersurface of the skin to tighten it. The laser is also used to heat the fat deposits, melting them and making it easier to remove the fat. The fat is then suctioned out of the area through a hollow tube called a cannula using a suction device. Dr. Umansky then closes your incisions with sutures and surgical tape, and a compression garment is placed.
CAN I COMBINE OTHER LIPOSUCTION TECHNIQUES WITH SMARTLIPO®?
Power-assisted liposuction is often performed in conjunction with Smartlipo at our La Jolla-based center in San Diego. Power-assisted liposuction uses a vibrating cannula that makes fat removal more efficient. It also allows for better fat removal from areas of fat that are more fibrous in nature, such as the back and the male chest.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING SMARTLIPO® RECOVERY
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO RECOVER FROM SMARTLIPO®?
The Smartlipo laser technology reduces discomfort and bruising and can shorten downtime. Therefore, most Smartlipo patients are often able to return to their normal activities within a few days to a week of treatment. A lot of the swelling should resolve within the first month. However, some areas may have swelling for several months with gradual resolution, revealing additional improvement for months following procedure.
WHEN CAN I EXERCISE AFTER SMARTLIPO®?
While most exercises should be avoided at first, patients are encouraged to go for walks starting as soon as the day of their procedure. Walking promotes circulation, which can aid in healing and reduce the risk of blood clots. Start out with slow, short walks and gradually increase your speed and duration each day as you feel comfortable. After one to two weeks, you can resume more strenuous workouts.
DO YOU HAVE TO WEAR A COMPRESSION GARMENT AFTER SMARTLIPO®?
We recommend wearing your compression garment for about six weeks after your procedure to help speed up the healing process and achieve the best Smartlipo results. It should be worn 24/7 for the first three weeks, taking it off only for bathing yourself and washing the garment. For the next two to four weeks, you can usually reduce the use of the garment, especially at nighttime.
WHAT RESULTS TO EXPECT FROM SMARTLIPO®
HOW LONG BEFORE YOU SEE RESULTS FROM SMARTLIPO®?
The fat removed will be noticeably gone from your body after the surgery. Some bruising and swelling, however, may make it difficult to see your results initially. The improved body contours usually start to become apparent by a few weeks. Most patients are pleased by the results by one to two months postoperatively.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SKIN TO TIGHTEN AFTER SMARTLIPO®?
The skin-tightening effects from the Smartlipo procedure take several months to be fully realized.
HOW LONG DOES SMARTLIPO® LAST?
The results of Smartlipo are designed to be long lasting, and patients generally maintain their more slender body contours for years to come.
Natural weight loss reduces the size of your fat cells, but it does not eliminate the number of fat cells in your body like Smartlipo does. If you gain weight after liposuction, the existing fat cells in your body increase in size. Because there will be fewer fat cells in the treatment area, you will be less likely to gain excess fat in that area after Smartlipo, and fat tends to be gained in a more generalized fashion. Of course, it is recommended to avoid weight gain or weight fluctuations.
SMARTLIPO® FAQs
HOW MUCH DOES SMARTLIPO® COST IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA?
The cost of Smartlipo will vary depending on the size of the treatment area and the amount of fat to be removed. Smaller areas with less fat cost less than larger areas with a higher volume of fat.
After your consultation, we will give you detailed information about the cost of your Smartlipo procedure.
AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SMARTLIPO®?
Smartlipo candidates have areas of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to a healthy diet and exercise regimen. You should be close to your weight loss goal, and you should be in good overall health without any medical issues that could impair your healing.
HOW MUCH SKIN TIGHTENING IS ACHIEVED WITH SMARTLIPO®?
Smartlipo laser liposuction can expand the suitability of patients who may otherwise be borderline candidates for traditional liposuction methods because it provides some skin tightening. While it cannot remove excess skin like a tummy tuck, the skin tightening achieved with Smartlipo provides more skin contraction than traditional liposuction.
HOW MUCH WEIGHT CAN YOU LOSE WITH SMARTLIPO®?
In general, weight loss is not very significant with any liposuction procedure. The goal of the procedure is not to reduce your weight but, instead, to sculpt your body and enhance its shape by getting rid of stubborn fat deposits.
CAN I COMBINE OTHER BODY CONTOURING PROCEDURES WITH SMARTLIPO®?
Yes, you can choose to undergo Smartlipo and other procedures at the same time if you have additional cosmetic concerns. Surgical procedures like tummy tuck surgery and breast procedures can be combined to achieve more dramatic body contouring results. Patients interested in buttock augmentation can use the fat removed during their liposuction procedure to enhance their buttocks with the Brazilian Butt Lift procedure.
Whether performed on its own or combined with another treatment method, Smartlipo can provide excellent results for patients who desire slimmer, shapelier body contours.
ARRANGE A SMARTLIPO® CONSULTATION AT OUR LA JOLLA CENTER
We invite you to contact Umansky Plastic Surgery today to arrange a personal consultation with one of our talented San Diego laser liposuction/mommy makeover specialists, Drs. William or Jeffrey Umansky. They will perform a thorough evaluation of your medical history and aesthetic goals to determine if you could benefit from Smartlipo in La Jolla.
