Laser-Assisted "Smart" Liposuction Part 2

In last month's article, I discussed the principles of SMART Liposuction. I pointed out that this new technology uses a LASER positioned at the end of a treatment wand to break up fat cells. Once broken up, the liquefied fat can then be suctioned away. Another great advantage that Smart Liposuction possesses is that the heat produced by the LASER system can tighten the areas treated for fat removal.

As I noted last month, standard liposuction techniques reliably remove fat, but do not produce any skin shrinkage. This can lead to increased skin sag after fat removal. This fact has limited the effectiveness of standard liposuction techniques for many patients.

Over all, one of the most popular sites for liposuction is the hips, thighs, and arms. Here, Smart Liposuction can remove significant volumes of fat while minimizing bruising (the LASER controls the small blood vessels), and improving skin quality. More importantly, with use in selected abdominal patients, skin excisions may be avoided. Most women who have had children can develop significant laxity in the skin of the abdomen coupled with fatty deposition. In most cases, an abdominoplasty or "Tummy-Tuck" is recommended. With the skin shrinking effect of Smart Liposuction technology, in selected patients, this aesthetic problem can be corrected with liposuction alone. Scarring and downtime would be minimized. It would also expand the number of patients who might seek treatment with a less intensive intervention.

The management of fatty breasts in men (gynecomastia) may be significantly changed. The Smart Liposuction technology would more reliably tighten the breasts after fat removal, again minimizing the use of incisions while improving the overall result. Most plastic surgeons prefer to avoid the placement of incisions on the chests of young men for fear that they will remain self conscious about removing their shirts in public. Smart Liposuction could reliably eliminate the need for incisions in the treatment of gynecomastia.

The fibrous fat of the back has been notoriously difficult to treat. The LASER assist of this new technology will make fat removal easier and more reliable. The undulating folds of the back "bra line" fat can be broken up and the skin flattened and tightened.

The use of SMART Liposuction in the face and neck is a very exciting prospect. It opens up new avenues for management of the aging face. First, SmartLipo™ LASER technology can serve as a very effective assistant in the performance of the gold standard incisional facelift. The LASER can ease the operative performance, shorten operative time; and minimize both bleeding and swelling. This could produce a quicker recovery period. However, for more minimal facial changes, Smart Liposuction may be used alone in the neck and jaw line to eliminate minor areas of excessive neck fat while tightening the skin of the jaw line thru very small incisions alone. So, Smart Liposuction could be used in some patients to perform a true "mini" lower face and neck lift that has good staying power.

Smart Liposuction is certainly one of the most exciting advances in liposuction technology to emerge in recent time. It promises not only to improve results in areas commonly treated by standard liposuction, but also to expand and refine the use of liposuction as a reliable body contouring technique. Smart Liposuction is brought to Chattanooga exclusively at The Plastic Surgery Group. For more information visit us at our Website: REFINEDLOOKS.com.