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Reviewed by Dr. David E. Berman, MD, FRCSC
The SmartLipo™ Procedure
First, your surgeon will mark the areas to be treated. Next, he/she will inject a tumescent fluid containing a local anesthetic. The tumescent fluid numbs the area, helps to control bleeding, and makes suctioning a little easier. Intravenous fluid replacement is not necessary in this procedure.
After injecting the tumescent fluid, your surgeon inserts the laser fiber into a very small tube, just 1.0 to 2.0 mm in diameter, called a cannula. He/she then places the cannula under the skin through a small incision just large enough for the cannula to fit. Your surgeon moves the laser back and forth across the treatment area while firing the laser. The laser melts fat cells resulting in liquid that is easily suctioned out thorugh the cannula along with the excess tumescent fluid. The laser also seals the blood vessels causing them to coagulate right away. This results in less bleeding, swelling, and bruising. The laser may also affect the collagen in the skin causing it to tighten and shrink. It may take several weeks to months for the skin tightening to become apparent.
SmartLipo™ can be used on any location that traditional liposuction is used. SmartLipo™ can also be performed on areas that are difficult to treat with traditional liposuction because the SmartLipo™ cannula is quite small. Areas such as the neck, knees, arms, stomach, love handles, legs, thighs, the area above and lateral to the breasts which bulge above the bra and other trouble areas can now be safely and easily treated.
For most patients, only one treatment is usually required. The total length of your session will vary depending on the number of areas you have treated and the size of each area. A SmartLipo sesion can take between 1- 3 hours. SmartLipo™ procedures are generally safe with minimal side effects.
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