November 13th 2006 It's official! The FDA has just approved the New Lipo/SmartLipo/Laser Lipo liposuction procedure!
New Liposculpture Method Overview
Liposculpture Method Name: Laser Lipolysis (SmartLipo)
Type of anaesthesia: Local Anaesthesia
Length of stay after liposculpture: None
Recuperation: 2 days
SmartLipo (watch the video)
SmartLipo is one among a range of power-assisted liposuction techniques. It is a minimally invasive technique for removing localized subcutaneous fats. The SmartLipo laser bursts the membranes of the fat cells when it comes into contact with it. A fiber-optic laser delivers this laser under the skin.
Suction of Fat
The fats are transformed into an oily sludge-like substance (lysate). A low-power suction pump is then used to suck out the lasered material out via a suction pump. This markedly accelerates recovery time.
Ideal areas for treatment
- Chubby cheeks
- Tummy area
- Love handles
- Flabby arms
- Thighs
- Buttocks
- Double chin
Advantages of Laser Lipolysis (SmartLipo)
a) Minimal downtime
- almost like a lunch-time liposuction, you can even return to work the next day although we advocate at least 2 days rest post-procedure
b) Minimal discomfort
- unlike traditional liposuction, the pain and bruising is much reduced
c) Less traumatic, almost normal skin
- the cannula used in laser lipolysis is much smaller than in traditional liposuction, the scar is almost not visible after a few months
d) Safety
- less anaesthetic drugs is used and less bleeding is expected in laser lipolysis, increasing the safety factor
Frequently asked questions
Who is a suitable candidate for laser lipolysis (SmartLipo)?
SmartLipo is ideal for anyone of a medium to a slightly large size who wants to contour his or her body. It can treat areas such as the face, chin, arms, waist, thighs and hips, too.
How long does the procedure take?
On average, the procedure takes 2-3 hours per session.
What is the long-term outcome like for most people?
Like traditional liposuction, you will need patience to see the final results. The full effects may not be evident for six months to a year. The more fat that you had removed, the longer it will take to achieve optimal results, because the skin has to adapt to a more radical change in shape.
Do I have to stay in the hospital?
Laser lipolysis (SmartLipo) is performed as an in-clinic procedure under local anaesthesia. You will not be required to stay in the hospital, recuperation is best done in the comforts of your home.
What if I've already had regular liposuction?
Laserlipolisi with SmartLipo may be extremely
handy for revisiting areas of the body previously treated
with traditional liposuction. “With previously
treated areas, if you wanted to further sculpt or
contour without going in again with liposuction, then
the SmartLipo is a good idea,” she observed. “It’s also for
areas anywhere on the body that have overlying skin
laxity, especially if you’re a relatively thin, fit, and
healthy person looking for additional toning
and tightening.”
What is the main advantage of SmartLipo/ Lipolysi?
The main advantage of SmartLipo
will be its two pronged attack. SmartLipo tightens
the skin as it removes the fat, which typical liposuction
doesn’t do.
Initial studies have seen skin tightening (shrinkage) of about 40%.
I've got a port-wine stain on my face. Can SmartLipo help?
As an additional application, SmartLipo may soon
be added to the armamentarium for port-wine stains
(PWS) and other indications. “As the port-wine stain
lesion progresses, there is soft tissue overgrowth under
the PWS lesion,” noted Dr. Yeo. “This is hard to remove
with a conventional vascular laser. I inserted the
SmartLipo tip through the hypertrophic tissue under
the stain. Surprisingly, that induced debulking for the
lesion. No other conventional laser can do this. I also
used SmartLipo for venous malformations. and for
minor facial lifting on five patients. I did minor facial
lifting, without fear of damaging facial motor nerves
because they are too deep to be effected by
the technique.”
Can SmartLipo /Laser Lipolysi work on areas that regular Liposuction can't?
Yes, because the aiming beam at the tip of the fiber (laser) lets you know exactly where
you are at all times, which allows the plastic surgeon to be very
precise. As a result, SmartLipo is very
useful in areas not suitable for standard techniques,
such as the face, neck, back and knees.
Photos courtesy of
Roy Geronemus, M.D.
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