Everything You Need to Know about SmartLipo
More than 200,000 men and women chose to have liposuction in 2015 alone, making it one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in the country. Whether you’ve lost a significant amount of weight, experienced a pregnancy, or just can’t seem to lose small pockets of fat in stubborn areas, liposuction can be a very effective solution. However, many people wish to achieve the results that liposuction can offer, but are hesitant to undergo an invasive surgery for a variety of reasons. In some of these cases, SmartLipo may be a great minimally invasive alternative. Here’s what you need to know about this innovative procedure. (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
What Is SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is actually a laser treatment designed to heat fat cells in order to more quickly and efficiently remove them from the body. The laser disrupts the cell membranes and the cell contents are removed by suction. SmartLipo offers minimal discomfort and a much shorter recovery time than standard liposuction, but is still considered a surgical procedure. Additionally, it can also have a skin-tightening effect that traditional liposuction can’t offer. (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
How Does It Work?
During a SmartLipo procedure, a small tube with the SmartLipo laser attached to it is inserted underneath the skin. There, the laser can heat the targeted fat cells, causing them to release their contents, which are then suctioned out of the body. And because the laser also stimulates collagen production and the tightening of the skin, SmartLipo can also result in a tighter, more toned body contour. (American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
What’s Involved in a SmartLipo Procedure?
A typical SmartLipo procedure takes only a few hours, using local anesthesia, rather than general anesthesia, which is typically used for traditional liposuction procedures. Because it’s a minimally invasive procedure, most men and women find that they feel only some light pressure during treatment. (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology)
What Recovery Period Can I Expect?
One of the great benefits of choosing SmartLipo over traditional liposuction is that SmartLipo requires minimal downtime. Most people are able to return to their normal daily activities within 1 to 2 days following their treatment, although some mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness may last for a few weeks. Still, the recovery following SmartLipo is significantly shorter and the symptoms are typically milder than those following a traditional liposuction procedure. (Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology)
What Results Can I Expect?
Most people will gradually notice their results during the weeks and months following their procedure, with their final results appearing within 3 to 6 months. You should notice improvements in the tightness of your skin, as well as a smoother, leaner, and better contoured overall look. (Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology)
Why Choose Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology for SmartLipo?
Although SmartLipo is a minimally invasive treatment, it is still a surgical procedure. Thus, it’s important that you choose a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon to ensure the safest and most effective results. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil of Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology in Pittsburgh is highly qualified and experienced in his field. After having received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Dr. Heil then completed a five-year integrated residency training program in General Surgery and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as a fellowship in Micro Surgery and Thrombosis Research from the University Medical Center of Pittsburgh, one of the country’s top plastic surgery training programs.
In addition, Dr. Heil has also been selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, reflective of his being considered by his peers and the Castle Connolly physician-led research team as among the top 10 percent of plastic surgeons in Pittsburgh. Dr. Heil is dedicated to providing a comfortable, relaxing environment at our state-of-the-art facility, and provides thorough and comprehensive consultations to each patient. For more information about SmartLipo, or to schedule a consultation, please contact Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology at 724-264-3608.
The Bottom Line
Thanks to advancements in laser technology, SmartLipo is now a popular, safe, and effective enhancement to liposuction procedures. That said, however, it may not be the best solution for everyone, so it’s important to work closely with a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Heil at Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology to make sure that you choose the right procedure to fit your unique needs. Keep in mind that neither SmartLipo nor traditional liposuction are weight loss tools. Instead, they can be good solutions for treating stubborn pockets of fat that don’t seem to respond to diet and exercise alone.
If you think that you may be a good candidate for SmartLipo or liposuction, set up a consultation at Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology today to discuss in detail your goals with Dr. Heil. He can help you to better determine which procedure may be right for you, and will guide you through each step of the process of achieving your sleek, toned, new look.
