SmartLipo™ Liposuction: What to Expect
The Center For SmartLipo and Plastic Surgery is one of the first cosmetic medical centers in the United States to offer the SmartLipo™ fat removal procedure. Dr. Durvi Patel offers this safe liposuction technique for men and women in our Philadelphia, PA medical spa. Liposuction is one of the most popular fat removal procedures in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 200,000 liposuction procedures were performed in 2020 alone.
Getting the body you want is relatively easy with SmartLipo liposuction. Whether you want to get back to your pre-pregnancy shape or get rid of stubborn bulges that just won’t go away, our physicians can help. It is best for people with a little bit of excess fat and loose skin.
SmartLipo™ Process
Laser liposuction uses power-assisted liposuction equipment. For the SmartLipo procedure, Dr. Patel will first make small incisions. Second, we gently insert a very small cannula (tube) containing a laser fiber into the skin. Then, we move the cannula in a back and forth “fanning” motion that delivers laser energy directly to fat cells. This maneuver causes fat cells to burst as they come in contact with the laser fiber.
We then gently suction the fat out of your body. The heat the laser emits immediately coagulates the underlying blood vessels. Thus resulting in less bleeding, swelling, bruising, and a faster recovery time. Most patients say that the process is painless. Surrounding tissues will also tighten as part of the thermal heating and coagulation process.
SmartLipo™ revolutionized laser-assisted lipolysis. Originally pioneered in Europe, SmartLipo was the first laser-assisted liposuction treatment on the market. It received FDA approval in November 2006 and quickly became the leader in laser-assisted liposuction. SmartLipo utilizes a unique laser that both liquefies fat cells and destroys them. Simultaneously, it tightens the skin for much smoother results rather than traditional liposuction.
How do I Prepare for a Liposuction Treatment?
Before we begin, we will go over all aspects of the procedure with you and steps to take before and after your treatment. Below are some steps you will take to prepare for SmartLipo at The Center For SmartLipo and Plastic Surgery.
- You will take blood tests three weeks prior to treatment.
- We will help you arrange for transportation to and from the office.
- We will prescribe medications if needed prior to treatment.
- Eat a light breakfast/lunch the day of the procedure.
- If you take a blood thinner (baby aspirin, coumadin, plavix, etc.) please let us know. This affects your care and post-surgical treatment.
- No aspirin, ibuprofen (i.e. Advil, Aleve, Motrin, etc), steroids or anti-inflammatory medications other than Tylenol within two weeks of the procedure. Also discontinue all multivitamins, St. John’s wort, Ginko Biloba, Fish Oil and Omega–3 Fatty acids two weeks before.
- We recommend that you refrain from all alcohol consumption one week prior to treatment.
- Drink large amounts of water (1–2 quarts per day) for one week prior to your procedure.
- Please bathe the day of the procedure and do not apply any creams or make-up.
- Wear comfortable clothes.
Benefits of SmartLipo™ Liposuction
One of the greatest benefits of SmartLipo compared to traditional suction-assisted lipectomy is that we perform the procedure under local anesthesia. You will be completely awake. Because SmartLipo is minimally-invasive, it fits conveniently into most people’s schedules. You can be back to work within a week after having the cosmetic surgery procedure.
- Minimal bruising and no stitches.
- Little to no downtime.
- No costly general anesthesia.
- Great for the entire body including smaller areas of concentrated fat. Such as the abdomen, hips, back, legs, thighs, knees, arms, chin, and neck.
- You may see results after a single treatment. However, you will see final results about 3 months after the treatment. The treated area will continue to improve in the next few months.
What is the cost of SmartLipo™?
The cost of SmartLipo can range from $1,500 to $10,000 based on different factors. The most significant factor is whether or not you have insurance. Because SmartLipo is a cosmetic procedure, your medical insurance might not cover it. If you do have insurance coverage for the procedure, the co-pay and deductible may be high.
The cost of liposuction depends on a number of factors, including geographic location, facility quality, surgeon experience, and the method itself. In general, the average cost for a traditional liposuction procedure in the U.S. is between $4,000 and $12,000.
SmartLipo Treatment Areas
SmartLipo is quickly becoming a popular treatment for those looking to reduce fat in certain areas of their body. The most common treatment areas for SmartLipo include the abdomen, hips, thighs, arms, chin and neck. So if you’re looking for a non-surgical option to reduce stubborn fat in these areas, SmartLipo may be just what you need!
With this procedure you can get rid of unwanted fat cells in these areas and achieve a smoother contour with improved skin tone. Learn more about the treatment areas we can help you with below.
Chin Liposuction
Chin liposuction is a great way to get rid of stubborn fat in the chin area. With this procedure, you can finally get rid of that double chin and achieve a more contoured look. It is a minimally invasive procedure with minimal downtime. So, if you are looking for an effective and fast way to slim down your chin, then chin liposuction may be the right option for you. To learn about our chin liposuction treatments, see Chin liposuction.
Arm Liposuction
Arm liposuction is a great way to contour your arms. With the help of an experienced surgeon, you can get the arms you’ve always wanted without having to worry about dieting and exercising. Arm liposuction is becoming increasingly popular among men and women who want to look their best. To learn about our arm liposuction treatments, see Arm liposuction.
Face Liposuction
Face liposuction is a procedure that involves the removal of unwanted fat from the face. It can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin, while also creating a more contoured and youthful look. Our team can treat specific areas of the face such as the cheeks, chin, jawline and neck.
This procedure can help to improve your overall facial aesthetics and give you a more defined look. With face liposuction, you can achieve a slimmer and more youthful looking face in just one treatment session!* To learn about our face liposuction treatments, see Face liposuction.
Stomach Liposuction
Stomach liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that can help you achieve a slimmer and more toned midsection. It is an effective way to remove stubborn fat from the abdomen area that diet and exercise may not be able to address. The procedure involves removing excess fat from the stomach through tiny incisions.
Our cosmetic surgeon can contour the body for a more sculpted look, or to reduce the size of your stomach for health-related reasons. Stomach liposuction can produce dramatic results with minimal downtime, making it an attractive option for many people. To learn about our stomach liposuction treatments, see Stomach liposuction.
Neck Liposuction
Neck liposuction can reduce the appearance of a double chin, jowls and a turkey neck. This procedure is minimally invasive and typically requires only local anesthesia. The recovery time is usually short, with most people returning to their normal activities in just a few days.
Neck liposuction can help you achieve a more defined jawline and smoother neck profile. Thus making it an ideal choice for those who want to look younger and more refreshed! To learn about our neck liposuction treatments, see Neck liposuction.
Thigh Liposuction
Thigh liposuction is a popular service that we provide to reduce the amount of fat in the thighs. Transform your legs to look better with this procedure, as well as to reduce the size and shape of your thighs.
With this procedure, you can get rid of stubborn fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise alone. By removing these fat cells, you will see an improvement in your overall appearance, confidence, and feel beautiful. To learn about our thigh liposuction treatments, see Thigh liposuction.
Abdominal Liposuction
Our cosmetic surgeon can remove excess fat from your abdomen area using the SmartLipo procedure. This procedure can improve the shape and definition of your stomach area for a more toned look. It can also reduce bulges that are resistant to diet and exercise. Abdominal liposuction can be a great solution for those looking to sculpt their body and make it look more attractive.
Leg Liposuction
Leg Liposuction is a procedure that can help people get the leg shape they desire. It’s a safe and effective way to remove stubborn fat deposits on your legs, improve body contour, and reduce unwanted bulges that make your legs look heavy. get the sleek, contoured legs that you want using SmartLipo at The Center For SmartLipo and Plastic Surgery.
SmartLipo™ FAQs
Is the SmartLipo procedure weight loss surgery?
We can use the SmartLipo procedure to treat specific areas of fatty tissue such as in the abdomen, thighs, and buttocks. However, it is not a quick path for total weight loss. It does not always result in long-term weight loss. Consider it a supplement to exercise.
How much fat will SmartLipo remove?
You can expect 50–80% in fat reduction after recovery from one treatment. We remove fat that you can pinch in an area, leaving you with a slimmer and more youthful body contour.*
How many SmartLipo treatments will I need?
Most patients, only require one treatment. SmartLipo for obese patients may require more than one visit to be safe. The amount of SmartLipo treatments you can get will depend on the amount of unwanted fat you have, and if you get other treatments such as tummy tuck surgery.
Am I an ideal candidate for SmartLipo™ liposuction surgery?
In general, SmartLipo is ideal for patients who are in good health and within 25 pounds of their ideal weight. These patients have one or more body areas of local fat deposits where diet or exercise has had little to no effect. They motivate themselves to permanently get rid of these fatty areas.
With any cosmetic procedure, it is important to have realistic expectations. Our doctors will consult with you before the procedure to make sure SmartLipo is right for you. We will give you an idea of what your individual results may look like.
What should I expect post-procedure?
After the procedure you will need to wear a compression garment for at least two weeks. Our staff and plastic surgeons in the greater philadelphia area will help guide you through your recovery process. We will give you post operative instructions to follow so that you have the best experience.
What’s the difference between SmartLipo and Tickle Lipo?
The main contrast between SmartLipo and Tickle Lipo is the method of treatment. Tickle lipo uses ultrasonic liposuction instead of a laser. The results are similar, but you may feel more discomfort after getting tickle lipo. Recovery time may also be longer than SmartLipo.
*Results may vary