Smart Lipo: Melting Away Fat, Literally

Have you ever wished your love handles could melt away like ice cream on a hot, sunny day? If you have, or if you just find yourself thinking about ice cream a lot in general, a new procedure called Smart Lipo has come to your rescue. As with most new procedures, lasers are involved. And what’s more, they zap and liquefy your fatty cells. So pick up the phone, make a Smart Lipo consultation, and set lasers to stunning.

What is it?

Smart Lipo is a laser-assisted form of liposuction that aims at reducing small, localized pockets of fat. The versatile procedure can be used on many areas of the body including the face, neck, jowls, arms, back, belly, thighs, waist, and hips. Furthermore, it is considered an ideal solution for reducing male breasts, known as gynecomastia.

The procedure itself only requires some small incisions and is relatively less invasive than normal liposuction. Basically, the surgeon will use local anesthetic to numb the areas being treated, at which point the laser will be inserted into the skin and heat fat cells, which then break down into liquid fat. From there, a small incision will need to be made in order to insert a cannula (basically a tiny tube) which will extract the newly dissolved, liquefied fat cells. In scenarios where the treated area is very small, the body will simply absorb the liquefied fat and excrete it through the liver, eliminating the need for cannulas.

Recovery can be marred by a limited amount of pain, but is overall considered to be a lot more manageable than the downtime involved with traditional liposuction. Because the incisions made during the procedure are so small, they do not require any stitches. Also, the use of the laser makes bleeding, swelling, and bruising less likely, as the laser closes off small blood vessels under the skin. However, any bruising or swelling that does occur will likely diminish within 2 to 3 days. Also, depending on where you’ve been treated, your surgeon may request that you wear a specialized compression garment to help you heal faster and discourage any possible swelling.

Generally speaking, patients can return to work 24 hours after the procedure, though it is recommended that they avoid strenuous exercise and hot tubs for at least two weeks. Results can be seen after about a week, but it can take several months before optimal results will be reached.

Who needs it?

Ideal candidates for Smart Lipo are patients who practice good health, ideally eating right and exercising. I know what you’re thinking, “If I ate healthy and exercised, then I wouldn’t need Smart Lipo in the first place.” Point taken. Still, some people’s bodies have a harder time responding to exercise, leaving problem areas that won’t tone up no matter how hard they try. These are people that are considered ideal for the procedure because chances are, they’ll continue to maintain a healthy lifestyle after the surgery. This is important because nothing is stopping someone from gaining back the fat that they paid to get melted away.

In other words, if you have serious weight issues, you may want to bypass Smart Lipo and shoot for traditional liposuction, which will provide much more drastic results. That being said, Smart Lipo works well in conjunction with liposuction, as it tightens the skin and targets smaller, more specific areas of fat. Still, the average person will benefit from Smart Lipo as it will tighten and tone specific areas. However, it’s up to you to keep it that way.

Benefits

One of the biggest benefits to Smart Lipo is that the laser being used to dissolve fat cells will also stimulate the production of collagen, the protein that strengthens skin and keeps it looking firm (you know, the stuff that Joan Rivers injects into her face). Otherwise, compared to traditional liposuction, Smart Lipo is a breeze as it doesn’t require stitches, has a shorter recovery time (two days as opposed to seven), and leaves reduced scarring and bruising.

Risks

Certain medical conditions can prevent people from experiencing the joys of Smart Lipo. These conditions include: diabetes, liver or kidney disorders, heart conditions, blood disorders, and autoimmune disorders. A consultation with your surgeon will be made prior to the procedure, where you will go over your medical history and discuss any medications you may be taking.

The bottom line

Smart Lipo is not a miracle worker. Still, if you have specific problem areas that don’t respond to exercise and eating healthy, Smart Lipo is a relatively painless solution.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.