Smart Lipo
Laser fat removal (also known as smart lipo, laser lipolysis, laser liposuction or laser lipo) is a very clever cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure that removes fat that is difficult to shift but creates less bruising and pain than normal lipo suction -- and costs less.
Part of body affected: You can have smart lipo on small areas of fat on your face, double chin, neck, upper arms, breasts, thighs, hips, buttocks, and tummy.
Condition addressed: Smart lipo removes stubborn pockets of fat that have not responded to diet and exercise.
Nature of Laser Fat Removal benefit: The cosmetic procedure permanently removes fat cells and sculpts body contours with visibly tighter skin. A key advantage of Smart Lipo is its benefits over other cosmetic treatments, such as liposuction. These benefits include less bruising, swelling, pain and risk all at a lower cost.
For whom Smart Lipo is/not suitable: Laser fat removal is ideal for healthy men and women near or at their ideal weight, but who have small areas of fat that are difficult to lose. Smart Lipo is not suitable for excessively overweight or obese individuals.
Type of cosmetic procedure: Performed under local anaesthetic through a small incision, laser fat removal or Smart Lipo is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure.
Description of the Smart Lipo procedure: Before the cosmetic procedure, your doctor will use a pen to mark the areas of fat to target during the Smart Lipo. After injecting local anaesthetic into the fatty zone, your doctor will insert a small cannula (tube) about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter.
Your doctor will guide the cannula containing a fibre-optic laser through the area to rupture and melt the fat cells. Once the cells have burst, they will start to drain away into the body?s lymphatic system to be excreted naturally.
Potential risks or side effects: There is always a small risk with any anaesthetic, but a local anaesthetic presents significantly less risk than a general one. Side-effects of the procedure are minimal but do include a small scar, light pain, bruising and swelling
Nature and length of recovery process: The heat of the laser will seal blood vessels and promote your body to produce collagen. This will help your skin to tighten, shrink and heal naturally in the months after the procedure. You can start gradually returning to normal activities the day after laser fat removal or Smart Lipo, but you will need to wear a compression garment for two weeks afterwards.
The compression garment helps to contour your shape by collapsing the tunnels created in the fatty deposits during the procedure. Your doctor will also advise you to avoid strenuous exercise and hot baths during the recovery period.
Length of laser fat removal benefit: Within weeks, you will start to see results as the melted fat drains away and out of your system. After several months all bruising and swelling will have completely disappeared and your skin will have shrunk and tightened.
After four months, you can expect to see the complete benefits. For some patients this might take longer depending on how long your body takes to excrete the liquefied fat.
What you can do to extend benefit: Laser fat removal permanently removes fat cells. As adults do not create new fat cells, any extra weight you gain will not be deposited in the area where the fat melted away. This could lead to an uneven appearance. To avoid this, you should strive to maintain your weight through a healthy lifestyle.
Alternative or related laser fat removal therapies: Mesotherapy, carboxytherapy, lipodissolve, male breast reduction, breast reduction, lipo suction