Laser liposuction is the use of lasers to liquefy the fat cells before they are removed. SmartLipo-Laser Lipsuction is a laser liposuction technique.
Liposuction is designed to reduce the fat of a specific area of the body and not for overall weight loss. The best candidates for SmartLipo liposuction is in good general health and not more than twenty-five pounds overweight.
SmartLipo uses lasers to precisely target fatty tissue that is then removed through a suction tube called a cannula. Many people consider this method to be safer than traditional liposuction methods.
This type of laser lipo does not require general anesthesia like traditional liposuction. A local anesthetic can be used for SmartLipo. This reduces the risk of surgical complications related to the use of general anesthesia.
The laser is delivered to the fat cells through the patient’s skin or with the cannula. The fat is broken down and the ruptured fat cells are removed from the body through the cannula.
Using the laser during the procedure can result in less bleeding than during regular liposuction. The laser can be used to seal small blood vessels to stop bleeding.
A disadvantage of laser liposuction is the risk of burns. If the surgeon does not carefully monitor the temperature, the patient can get burned.
The risk of burns is so common that many cosmetic surgeons will not perform laser liposuction. Instead, they often use either traditional liposuction, called tumescent liposuction, or ultrasound-assisted liposuction.
The ultrasound-assisted liposuction is similar to laser liposuction except that it uses sound waves to break down fat cells rather than a laser. This eliminates the risk of burns.
People who are considering laser liposuction should ask the surgeons who they are considering how much experience they have. Several resources say that a surgeon who is experienced with laser liposuction is often less likely to cause burns.
Laser liposuction isn’t the only medical procedure that makes use of lasers. Eye surgery, dental procedures, and some other types of surgeries use lasers.
The recovery period from liposuction can be lengthy. Some people have to take a leave of absence from their jobs for weeks following traditional liposuction.
Another advantage of laser lipo is the reduction in scarring. Tumescent liposuction often requires larger incisions, so the scars from the surgery are also larger.
Laser liposuction can be performed through small incisions. Depending on what part of the body is being treated with the laser lipo, the surgeon frequently is able to make the incisions in areas that may be less noticeable.
The patient may want to consider SmartLipo if the recovery time is a concern. Some patients return to work as soon as one or two days after the SmartLipo liposuction.
The SmartLipo laser is manufactured by Cynosure. People who are considering liposuction should discuss their options with an experienced cosmetic surgeon.