Smartlipo™
In the past, traditional liposuction has been a great way to remove unwanted fat and achieve better body contour. However, one of the major drawbacks has been that the skin of the treated area would not contract and tighten enough. Now, with the use of Smartlipo, skin tightening can be addressed in a new way, at the same time as liposuction. The internal laser can be used to stimulate tissue, inducing collagen production, resulting in skin tightening. This technology has totally changed the way that body contouring of the abdomen, arms, and thighs can be done, eliminating the long scars that were once needed to achieve the kind of skin tightening many patients desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does Smartlipo work?
Unlike traditional liposuction, which has been available for years and is used to treat large areas of the body where fat deposits have become prevalent, Smartlipo is a laser-assisted lipolysis system that is ideal for treating small areas of unwanted fat. Also, recovery from traditional liposuction surgery is usually slow, bruising is extensive, and the results can be less than what was hoped for. The Smartlipo Laser Body Sculpting System is a powerful yet precise laser that permanently destroys fat cells by melting the fat, while instantly coagulating blood vessels. This results in significantly less bleeding, swelling, and bruising than conventional liposuction. As a result, the recovery period is much shorter. The energy emitted by the Smartlipo laser also stimulates the tissue, inducing collagen production.
How much does the treatment cost?
Smartlipo is a precise, surgical treatment. Without an individual consultation and a complete evaluation of the area or areas to be treated, it is not appropriate or possible to provide an accurate estimate for the procedure over the phone. This is absolutely a circumstance where the physician/surgeon needs to actually see the prospective patient first to give an accurate quote.
How many treatments are required to achieve the desired results?
The destruction of fat cells is permanent; thus, only one procedure using the Smartlipo Laser Body Sculpting System is necessary to achieve the desired results in any given area. There are exceptions to every rule; however, unless the prospective patient has many areas on his or her body where he or she wishes to eliminate unwanted fat, a single procedure to each desired area should provide excellent results.
Can anyone have this treatment?
The best candidates for the Smartlipo procedure are men and women who are not significantly overweight and who have only small areas of troublesome, localized fat deposits, such as love handles, flabby upper arms, excess neck or facial fat, or unwanted fat on the lower torso.
Does it hurt?
Depending on how many areas will be treated during the procedure, it is possible to have Smartlipo with nothing more than local anesthesia. Some people will request oral pain medicines and antianxiety medicines to help relax them during the procedure. Patients are usually able to converse with the doctor during the procedure because while undergoing a Smartlipo procedure, patients are awake, not sedated as in traditional liposuction. For those patients who are anxious about the procedure, there is always the option for IV and/or general anesthesia.
What part of the body can be treated with Smartlipo?
All areas of the body can benefit from Smartlipo. When used to treat the neck instead of a neck lift, this is referred to as Precision TX. The ideal areas include the arms, abdomen, upper back and flank area, and inner thighs. These areas are particularly suited because the skin in these areas tends to be a little thinner with less natural tendency to tighten after liposuction.
Potential Risks and Complications
One of the benefits of Smartlipo vs. traditional liposuction is that it has been shown to have significantly fewer complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are certain risks, such as scars, infection, bleeding, asymmetries, postoperative discomfort, and adverse reaction to anesthesia. Although significant complications are uncommon, patients should understand that any surgery, performed for any reason, has risks and should not be taken lightly.
Dr. Mancoll prides himself on his ability to communicate with his patients and tailors each discussion to the patient’s individual needs. Dr. Mancoll and his staff will spend time helping you understand your procedure. You should feel free to ask questions at any time, and if you don’t understand the information, we will be more than happy to go over it again.
Recovery
One of the great benefits of Smartlipo™ is the quicker recovery time compared to traditional liposuction. Although patients are given prescriptions for post-op pain control, rarely do patients need medications beyond the first few days. Bruising and swelling is common in all types of liposuction, but with Smartlipo™, it tends to be less. After a Smartlipo™ procedure, patients wear special compression garments to help skin contract smoothly to the body’s new contours.
There are no restrictions after having a Smartlipo procedure. Patients are free to be as active as they are comfortable being.
Results
The results of Smartlipo™ are amazing. Patients can see noticeable changes immediately. All body contouring procedures require up to 6 months until the final results are fully achieved; bruising, swelling, and skin tightening effects all need time.
We welcome you to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John S. Mancoll by calling Mancoll Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery at (757) 305-9185 or filling out our online contact form. Dr. Mancoll has been voted by his peers as one of Coastal Virginia’s Top Plastic Surgeons. He is devoted to helping each individual patient achieve the best results possible.
