Patients seeking weight loss treatment can achieve effective results with SmartLipo, a laser-assisted liposuction procedure. SmartLipo requires less recovery time and shows more improvement in skin tightening and stretch marks than traditional liposuction. Your doctor can determine your eligibility for this revolutionary procedure during a consultation. Here, the Center for SmartLipo & Plastic Surgery, a cosmetic surgery practice serving the Philadelphia area, describes what you can expect before, during, and after your SmartLipo treatment.
Preparation guidelines
Before your SmartLipo procedure, your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare for your surgery. These guidelines can begin a few weeks in advance, so it is important to plan accordingly. Your doctor will ask you to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, multivitamins, and several other supplements two weeks before your procedure. You should also coordinate someone to give you a lift to and from the doctor’s office for the day of your treatment.
One week before your treatment, you will be asked to drink 1-2 quarts of water per day and refrain from alcohol consumption. On the day of the procedure, you should bathe and avoid wearing topical creams or make-up. It is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing to your appointment.
Procedure plan
Your doctor will likely use a local anesthetic for your SmartLipo procedure. This numbs the affected area, allowing you to be comfortable while still aware of your surroundings. Once you are prepared, the doctor will make a small incision and insert a tube containing a laser.
The tube moves back and forth to burst fat cells, which are then suctioned out of the body. The heat from the laser coagulates blood vessels to reduce bleeding and swelling. The procedure should last for approximately one hour. Effects from anesthesia wear off after a few hours and do not leave you disoriented.
Aftercare recommendations
SmartLipo does not require stitches, unlike traditional liposuction treatment. However, your doctor will ask you to wear a compression garment, depending on which part of your body was treated. This should be worn for about two weeks. It is recommended that you avoid hot tubs, bathtubs, and open water for four weeks after your procedure to prevent infection. Your doctor will likely determine you need just one SmartLipo procedure, but joint treatment options with other body augmentation processes might be possible depending on your aesthetic goals.
Contact the Center for SmartLipo & Plastic Surgery in Philadelphia
The Center for SmartLipo & Plastic Surgery offers liposuction and other body augmentation procedures to patients in the Philadelphia area. Dr. Richard Goldfarb, Dr. Aaron Shapiro, and Dr. Durvi Patel also provide face, skin, and feminine cosmetic treatments. To schedule a consultation with us, contact our office online or reach out to us by phone at 215.240.4667.