SmartLipo is by far the most sophisticated type liposuction available today. It is a method that offers terrific results with less trauma and less downtime. SmartLipo procedures may offer less downtown as well as less cost since usually done under local anesthesia (while patient awake)
SmartLipo uses laser technology to melt and liquefy the fat within the fat cells. In addition, it smoothes and tightens the skin to decrease the looseness that one sometimes sees with traditional liposuction. It can be utilized alone to treat smaller areas of fat, such as below the chin, or in combination with liposuction to remove larger areas of fat such as in the abdomen, flanks and thighs.
Over the years, liposuction has evolved into being one of the safest cosmetic procedures performed today. Liposuction was originally invented by a gynecologist in Italy in the mid 1970s. Initially it involved using a “dry” technique, but this resulted in excessive complications, such as blood loss and shock. The technique improved when the “wet” technique was developed in the early 1980’s. Further refinements in the late 1980s lead to development of the “tumescent” technique which is the safest method to do liposuction today.
Tumescent liposuction is performed by instilling dilute solutions of lidocaine and epinephrine into the fatty areas of the areas to be treated. This fluid anesthetizes the areas to be treated, plus it decreases bleeding very significantly. The procedure can thus be performed while the patient is awake with minimal discomfort and quicker recovery. Many people can return to work and normal activities within one to a few days.
Once the tumescent fluid had been infused into the fatty areas, the fat could be destroyed by many methods. Several different techniques developed over the years from the 1990s that could be used to dissolve or destroy the fat in these areas. Simple mechanical disruption, high frequency ultrasonic waves dissolution, or laser lipolysis can all be utilized to break or disrupt the fat cells and allow the freed fat to be suctioned using very thin tubes called cannulas. Most of the time these procedures are combined to provide the best results for removal of the fat, for improved skin smoothness, and to tighten the skin.
SmartLipo was the first laser to be approved by the FDA to be used for fat dissolution and removal with tumescent liposuction. Introduced in 2007, this laser technology utilizes a 1064 wave length that targets red blood cells and thus results in less blood loss. In addition, it produces a burst of energy as it enters the fatty tissue that dissolves the fat so it can be removed by suctioning. This improves the safety of the procedure by being able to melt the fat without heating the tissue excessively. Smaller areas of melted fat can actually reabsorb into the body and may not even need suctioning for optimal results.
Other laser technologies include the CoolLipo laser lipolysis which uses the 1320 wavelength and the ProLipo which uses the 1319 wavelength. These produce fatty dissolution by heating the water within the cells and exploding them. The liquid fat can then be removed in a similar fashion with cannulas. All these techniques normally utilize tumescent fluid to provide the anesthesia, to decrease bleeding and to decrease infection.
By utilizing the tumescent technique, these liposuction procedures can be performed in an office-based setting while the patient is awake. No longer is it a requirement that patients be put to sleep using general anesthetics nor do they need to be admitted to the hospital for the procedure. Moreover, these new techniques, especially SmartLipo, allow patients to return to normal activities more rapidly than when the older methods were used. It is safer and provides improved results for smoother and tighter skin.
Post-Operative Care
With SmartLipo, you will begin to recover as soon as the procedure is finished. You will first be escorted to a recovery room, where Dr. Hyman will review the procedure and give you instructions on how to take care of your wounds. You will generally be able to return home within two hours after the SmartLipo procedure. You will need to follow your doctor’s recovery instructions precisely, and he or she may prescribe minor pain medication.
You will also may receive compression bandages that are key to the recovery process in some areas of the body. They encourage healing by preventing the affected tissues from shifting after the SmartLipo procedure. Following surgery, Dr. Hyman will suggest ambulating in the following days to promote circulation but limited to only minor activity. In the days after, remember to not take any anti-inflammatory medicines or blood thinners like Aspirin. In addition, it is recommended that you do not smoke for a few days after the procedure as well as two weeks prior.
You will heal from SmartLipo in several stages. First, minor bruising and numbness may occur right after the procedure. These side effects should disappear within days, if not hours, of leaving the recovery room. The swelling will go down within a week. At this time you will be able to resume normal activities.. However, once the swelling is gone, your recovery is finished and you will be able view the SmartLipo surgery’s final results.
After your SmartLipo procedure, Dr. Hyman will schedule postoperative visits. During these follow-up visits, he will examine you to make sure they are healing well. It is critical that you keep your appointments as you recover. Doing so will ensure that you heal without scarring and/or infection. Most patients’ skin is completely back to normal within three months of the SmartLipo procedure.