What’s the Difference Between Smart Lipo and Traditional Liposuction?
By Michele Finley MD | Published on May 25, 2011 | 0 Comments
Even with a normal weight, healthy diet and good exercise habits, stubborn pockets of fat can sometimes remain. For many, liposuction may be the only way to finally achieve the body contours they desire. And for patients concerned about the anesthesia and recovery times associated with traditional liposuction, Smart Lipo offers a safe, relatively comfortable alternative.
According to Michele Finley, MD, a Carmel, Indiana Smart Lipo provider and physician, Smart Lipo offers a number of advantages over traditional liposuction – among them, a shorter recovery time and exceptional versatility. The procedure also offers excellent results, she says, and the ability to contour even the smallest areas of fat that are otherwise resistant to diet and exercise.
General vs. Local Anesthesia
Smart Lipo is performed with the assistance of a specialized laser that liquefies fat cells for easier extraction. One of the biggest advantages of Smart Lipo is that it can be performed in an office setting using only local anesthesia as opposed to in an operating room under general anesthesia. This is possible thanks to a technique known as tumescent liposuction.
Tumescent liposuction involves infusing fat cells with a lidocaine mixture prior to liquefying and extracting the excess fat. This technique reduces bleeding and eliminates the need for intravenous sedatives, narcotic analgesics, or general anesthesia.
Recovery Time
The incisions made during Smart Lipo are so small that no stitches are required and no scars are left behind. This means a shorter recover time and less discomfort than is usually experienced after traditional liposuction. And because general anesthesia is not necessary, patients do not experience the prolonged “groggy” feeling that is common after liposuction performed in the operating room.
“I’ve had patients tell me they felt like they were hit by a truck after their liposuction in the OR,” says Dr. Finley. “For some people, it can take up to a week to get rid of that feeling.”
Versatility and Results
Smart Lipo, Dr. Finley explains, allows physicians to do more “fine tuning” and to target even very small areas that may not be appropriate for treatment with traditional liposuction. Liquefying fat deposits before extraction allows for better, smoother contouring. And in addition to making extraction faster and easier, the laser used in the Smart Lipo procedure provides a skin-tightening effect for even better results.
Smart Lipo can be used on virtually any part of the body and is particularly suited for small areas of the face, neck, arms, abdomen, thighs, and areas of loose and flabby skin including cellulite. “You can use it to target the area under the chin, or bra and back fat, as well as the thighs and love handles,” Dr. Finley says. “It’s very versatile and offers great results.”
Dr. Finley was the first Smart Lipo provider in the state of Indiana, and continues to enjoy the ability to provide very specific, very effective body contouring results using this state-of-the-art technique.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.