Smart Lipo

Innovative and advanced, Smart Lipo is less intrusive, quicker to perform and more permanent and safe than other techniques.

What is Smart Lipo (& Smart Lipo with Aspiration)?

Smart Lipo is the brand name of a liposuction technique generically known as laser-lipolysis.  Smart Lipo is considered one of the most innovative, advanced methods of liposuction.  It uses a powerful micro laser embedded in a 1mm-thick fibre-optic cable (cannula) which is inserted through miniscule incisions in the skin into the fatty deposits. 

The laser breaks down these fatty deposits, which are melted and then absorbed and eliminated through the body’s own natural metabolic processes via the kidneys and liver.  This secretion takes place both during the intervention and in the couple of months following.  Smart Lipo with Aspiration means that the liquid fatty deposits are removed by vacuum pump at the time of treatment, allowing you even more instant results. 

Smart Lipo is considered a less intrusive, quicker to perform and more permanent and safe than other liposuction techniques. Its key differentiator is that it destroys only fat cells, leaving other cells (nerves, blood and connective tissue) in tact and healthy.   Smart Lipo also stimulates the production of collagen from within the skin cells, so you are far less likely to have sagging skin following the procedure. 

The intervention can be carried out under local anesthetic and lasts up to two hours (depending on the size of the areas treated).  As it gives rise usually to only minor bruising (there are no painful sutures or side effects of general anesthesia to get over), it is has a far quicker recovery time.  Most people find they are able to return to a normal routine and even go back to work within a day of the procedure.  

Remember, liposuction does not replace the need for exercise and a healthy diet, and it cannot remove cellulite (orange peel skin). It is also not a solution to obesity.  Its effects are considered permanent though if you don’t have significant weight fluctuations following surgery. 

Several Liposuction techniques* have been developed over the years and you will need to find out which suits you best.  Generally, whichever is chosen, it is a highly-successful intervention.  Liposuction can be carried out with other cosmetic surgery procedures such as a face lift, breast reduction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). 

Why you might consider Liposuction

A good candidate for any form of liposuction is someone who has repeatedly tried to shift stubborn, localised, fatty deposits to no avail despite trying sensible exercise regimes and following a healthy diet.  Fat build ups in certain areas of your body can also be a hereditary characteristic.  

Smart Lipo is advised for people who have ideal, healthy Body Mass Indexes (BMI) of < 30. 

If you are considering any form of liposuction, you should ideally be 18+ so that you are better able to have a mature, realistic understanding of liposuction techniques and their likely results.  Age is not a factor as such.  But, older people with less elastic skin may find the benefits of liposuction somewhat reduced.  Smart Lipo is ideal as it stimulates collagen production thereby offsetting the problem of sagging skin following the procedure.

Ideally too, you should be in general good health, apart from the excess fatty deposits you carry, and preferably be a non-smoker (or be prepared to refrain from smoking before and immediately after the operation). 

You are a good candidate for liposuction if you:

• have tried successive regimes of dieting and exercise but failed to reduce localized fatty deposits
• see yourself as having excessive fat in localised areas, which is out of proportion to your overall body mass, frame and figure
• are not obese and are in general good health, apart from the localised, excess fatty deposits
• are not planning to lose excessive weight post op (it is important to tell your surgeon about any diet or exercise regime you are planning). 
• Have good skin condition and elasticity

All forms of liposuction have a high rate of success in removing, permanently, stubborn fatty deposits, so long as post-operative instructions are followed over the long term. 

But how you consider your body image after liposuction will be determined by your pre-surgery expectations.  And liposuction can only remove a given amount of fat per area treated so it may not produce the ‘ideal’ body image you have in mind. 

Patients who have tried other methods to reduce fat – such as exercise programmes and suitable diets - may be more satisfied with their results, physically and psychologically. It is wise to understand the limitations of liposuction. 

Liposuction does not:

• Remove or reduce ‘orange skin’ cellulite-induced dimples
• Prevent excess fat and lax skin caused by significant weight fluctuations in the future.
• Cure obesity

The Consultation

It is important at consultation with your surgeon that you establish your aims for undergoing liposuction.  You need to explain clearly what physical and any psychological effects you expect to gain from the procedure. 

Importantly, you will need to talk about your diet and any exercise regimes, your general health and well being, and possibly too any hereditary aspects which might underlie the cause of the fatty deposits you wish to remove. 

There are various liposuction techniques, other than Smart Lipo which uses laser technology.  You and your surgeon need to assess your wishes and the nature of the localised fatty deposits in order to establish which method is best suited to you. 

Be candid throughout the consultation and honest about any emotional issues relating to your proposed liposuction.  As with all cosmetic procedures, it is important you think through the implications of undergoing liposuction and its effects on your well being, both immediately and longer term. You will need to be clear about the after care required and what you can do to retain your enhanced body image. 

What to expect from the surgeon

Be prepared to supply information on and/or discuss:

• Your expectations of the surgery
• Any medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Any previous surgery
• Any family history that may be relevant such as hereditary characteristics of body frame, instances of obesity, and so on 

During the consultation, your surgeon is likely to:

• Assess your general health
• Evaluate any health conditions
• Examine the localised fatty areas and draw on your body to indicate areas to be treated. 
• Discuss the likely results of your liposuction procedure
• Discuss the value of and any complications possible with liposuction
• Take photographs for medical records
• Talk about the type of anesthetic used, its effects etc.

You may be asked in preparation for surgery to:

• Take or stop certain medications or adjust your current medications
• Have certain lab tests or further medical evaluation
• Refrain from smoking in advance of surgery
• Avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding

Questions you should ask

It is important that you are fully informed of the after care, any possible complications and the likely results of your Smart Lipo procedure.  You will also need to know how the procedure is carried out – this is particularly important as there are various liposuction techniques possible.  Ask too about what incisions are made and where any scarring, pain, swelling or other discomfort may arise.  Below is a checklist of some key questions to ask:

• How is Smart Lipo be performed? (see ‘Smart Lipo: what happens during the procedure?’
• Where are incisions made and why?
• How do I best prepare for the operation
• Do I need assistance in post-operative care?
• What results can I expect?
• What side effects or complications may occur? 
• What discomfort will I have? 
• How will the area treated look immediately post op (bruising, swelling etc) and in the longer term, over six months to a year?
• Are there any activities or environments I should avoid while I recover?
• Following the operation, how much exercise can I take and when can I start?  
• What other cosmetic procedures can I consider in conjunction with liposuction?
• What instructions should I follow after the operation?