Smartlipo® continues to be one of the most popular liposuction alternatives across the country. It’s an excellent option for men and women who want to get rid of stubborn excess fat that doesn’t respond well to diet and exercise.
What is the appeal of Smartlipo? We’ll look at its many benefits and share real Smartlipo before and after results so you can see why so many of our patients choose Smartlipo.
What Is Smartlipo & Why Is It the Smart Choice?
Smartlipo is a laser-assisted surgical liposuction procedure that targets and permanently removes unwanted fat cells (aka stubborn fat!) from areas of the body such as the arms, abdomen, and thighs. Here are just a few of the “smart” benefits of this treatment:
- Reshapes virtually any area of the body
- Melts away and permanently eliminates fat cells
- Zaps fat from areas resistant to diet and exercise
- Stimulates collagen production for tighter skin
- Requires local anesthetic instead of a general anesthetic
Am I a Good Candidate for Smartlipo?
During your consultation, we’ll discuss whether Smartlipo laser liposuction is the right choice for you rather than other body contouring procedures like a tummy tuck or nonsurgical CoolSculpting®. While every patient is unique, here are some parameters I like to consider to help guide our discussion and simplify the decision:
- You are in good overall health
- You are within 25 lbs. of your ideal weight
- You have areas of fat in the flanks, abdomen, arms, or thighs that haven’t responded well to diet or exercise
- You don’t have excessive loose skin
- You can allow a few days for rest and recovery following the procedure
- You are a male with gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) caused by excess fatty tissue
- You have realistic expectations about your results and recovery
Smartlipo vs. Liposuction: What’s the Difference?
While Smartlipo and liposuction are both effective for fat reduction, I tell patients to think of Smartlipo as an enhancement to traditional liposuction. With Smartlipo, I use a laser to suction fatty tissue out of the body with a specialized tube called a cannula.
Smartlipo allows me to use a smaller incision, making it less invasive than traditional liposuction. The laser energy liquefies tissue before it is sucked out, which results in a gentler procedure and an easier recovery with less swelling, bruising, and discomfort.
The laser used in Smartlipo is also quite effective in targeting smaller areas of the body, such as the upper arms. In addition to eliminating unwanted fat, Smartlipo boosts collagen production, creating smoother results than can be found with conventional tumescent liposuction.
Does Smartlipo Tighten Skin?
Smartlipo is excellent for treating unwanted fat and has the bonus of tightening mildly lax skin. However, there is a limit to how much sagginess the laser can tighten. A variety of factors may adversely affect Smartlipo’s ability to tighten the skin, including if you have:
- Significant loose, sagging skin as a result of massive weight loss
- Considerable thinning of your skin texture and elasticity
- Weakening of the abdominal wall muscles
If these conditions exist, you may achieve better results from one of our other body contouring procedures. During your consultation, I can help you determine which treatment is best.
Real Results: Smartlipo Before and After
Our Smartlipo results speak for themselves! These before and after photos featuring actual Advanced Aesthetic patients showcase the versatility and effectiveness of this procedure. View more results in our photo gallery.
Because Smartlipo permanently removes unwanted fat cells from the body, your results will be long-lasting. You can maximize Smartlipo results and maintain your sculpted physique by exercising regularly and adhering to a healthy diet. Also, be sure to follow our recommended Smartlipo aftercare protocol and see us periodically for skin maintenance visits.
Schedule Your Consultation
As a board-certified general surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons with a special interest in advanced aesthetic laser medicine and laser-assisted aesthetic laser medicine, I am proud to offer leading-edge techniques like Smartlipo to my patients in Couer d’Alene and the surrounding area. In fact, Smartlipo is one of the cosmetic surgery procedures my practice is best known for.
If you’re looking for a more toned physique, Smartlipo laser liposuction may be the right choice. To find out if you’re a good candidate for Smartlipo or one of our other body contouring procedures, I invite you to request a consultation using our online form or give us a call at (208) 676-8346 to schedule an appointment.
This post was originally published in March 2011 and was last updated in May 2023.
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