SmartLipo™ Surgery

SmartLipo™ surgery is mainly performed under local anesthesia (loss of sensation without loss of consciousness) by the tumescent, or wet, technique. In this surgery, large volumes of very dilute local anesthetic (a substance that produces anesthesia) are injected under the person's skin, making the tissue swollen and firm. Epinephrine is added to the solution to reduce bleeding, which allows the removal of larger amounts of fat.

The SmartLipo™ surgeon first numbs the skin with an injection of local anesthetic. After the skin is desensitized and numb, the SmartLipo™ surgeon makes a series of tiny incisions, usually 0.12-0.25 in (3-6 mm) in length. Then the area or areas to be treated are flooded with a larger amount of local anesthetic. After this step, the SmartLipo™ laser is inserted. A very small cannula containing the SmartLipo™ laser fiber is inserted into the skin. The cannula is a tube of approximately 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter. Then, the SmartLipo™ cannula is moved back and forth delivering the SmartLipo™ laser's energy to the fat cells, causing them to rupture and easily drain away.

Afterwards, the fat is then extracted with suction through a long, blunt hollow tube called a cannula. The SmartLipo™ surgeon repeatedly pushes the cannula through the fat layers in a radiating pattern creating tunnels, thus removing fat and reshaping the area.

Some newer modifications to the SmartLipo™ surgery include the use of a cutting cannula called a liposhaver and the use of ultrasound to help break up the fat deposits. The person is awake and comfortable during the SmartLipo™ surgery.

SmartLipo™ Surgery Length

The length of time required to perform the SmartLipo™ surgery varies with the amount of fat that is to be removed and the number of areas to be treated. Most SmartLipo™ surgeries take from 30 minutes up to 2 to 4 hours, but extensive procedures can take longer. The length of time required also varies with the manner in which the anesthetic is injected. In some cases, the SmartLipo™ surgeon may divide the treatment into different stages if the patient desires to have several areas treated. For example; in some cases a SmartLipo™ surgeon may treat the hip, thighs and back area first, and treat arms, neck and chin in a different surgery.

SmartLipo™ Surgery Benefits

The SmartLipo™ laser energy also interacts with the skin resulting in collagen shrinkage and therefore skin tightening. Due to the cannula's small size, Smartlipo™ is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The SmartLipo™ laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact, resulting in less bleeding, swelling and bruising, - and a shorter recovery time than conventional liposuction. Because general anesthesia is unnecessary, the procedure is very safe with only minimal side effects. All trough out the SmartLipo™ surgery; a red diode laser provides visual guidance to the surgeon.

Typically only one short SmartLipo™ surgery is needed per area treated. The average amount of fat removed during a SmartLipo™ surgery is about 1 to 3 liters.

After SmartLipo™ Surgery

After the SmartLipo™ surgery, the patient will need to wear a compression garment continuously for two to three weeks. If ankles or calves were treated, compression hose will need to be worn for up to six weeks. The compression garments can be removed 24 hours after the SmartLipo™ surgery. In rare cases when large amounts of fat have been removed; added measures may be taken to help with drainage and healing to prevent fluid build-up.

Mild side effects after surgery can include a burning, prickling sensation on the treated areas after the SmartLipo™ surgery and for up to one month. The patient should expect swelling of the tissues below the area treated for up to six to eight weeks after SmartLipo™ surgery. Wearing the special elastic compression garments at all times will help reduce this swelling and help achieve the desired final results.

The incisions involved in a SmartLipo™ surgery are tiny (they can be compared to a big mosquito bite), but in rare some, the SmartLipo™ surgeon may close them with stitches. These will be removed typically a few days after SmartLipo™ surgery. However, most SmartLipo™ surgeons use no sutures. They rely on dressings to cover the incisions.

After the SmartLipo™ surgery minor bleeding or seepage through the incision site(s) is common. Wearing the compression garment also helps reduce fluid loss after surgery. Blood clot formation after SmartLipo™ surgery is exceedingly rare. The risk of blood clot formation is reduced by wearing the compression garment after the surgery, and with the resumption of normal mild activity soon after a SmartLipo™ surgery. Excess fluid and blood accumulation generally comes from not wearing the compression garments. If necessary, this excess fluid can be drained off with a needle in the doctor's office.

SmartLipo™ Surgery & Pain

SmartLipo™ surgery is virtually painless and requires no downtime. However, for the first postoperative day, there may be some discomfort that will require light pain medication. Your surgeon will prescribe you oral pain management medications to take after surgery.

A SmartLipo™ surgery does not require any hospital time. It is an outpatient surgery. The patient may stand up after the surgery and walk. It is required that after the surgery the patient has arranged for transportation back home. It is also recommended that someone stays with you the first night. Soreness or aching may persist for several days. A person can usually return to normal activity within a week.

Postoperative bruising after a SmartLipo™ surgery will go away within 10 to 14 days. Your SmartLipo™ surgeon may prescribe you with additional medication to help heal the bruising and swelling faster. Postoperative swelling begins to go down after a week. It may take three to six months for the final results to be reached.

Some patients lose sensation in the area that has been suctioned after surgery, but most feeling usually returns with time.

SmartLipo™ Surgery Considerations

SmartLipo™ surgery under local anesthesia considered to be exceptionally safe.

However, like with any surgery, SmartLipo™ surgery risks include:

Blood clots
Excess fluid and blood accumulation
Infection
Shock (if too much fat is removed)
Swelling
Bruising
Perforation (rare)
Damage superficial nerves
Numbness