Newport Beach Plastic Surgery | Dr. Hendrick's Blog

Say goodbye to long recovery times, large incisions and higher complication rates. Smartlipo, a new advancement in liposuction technology can provide individuals with the targeted fat removal they desire without the downtime.

Smartlipo is an innovative body contouring technology that uses a small laser fiber to literally melt fat from area of the body. The incision, unlike traditional liposuction, needs to be only 1 to 2 millimeters to allow the laser under the skin. The laser disrupts the structure of the fat cells in the body causing them to be liquefied and to be excreted naturally by the body. The procedure usually last about 45 minutes to an hour for each treatment area.

The differences between traditional liposuction and Smartlipo are:

Traditional Liposuction: Most of the time, the patient is required to go under general anesthesia. The fat is vacuumed out of the body with a 4 -5 millimeter tube. Because of this, loose skin can remain in the area that is treated. Also, because the fat is being forcibly sucked from the treatment area, it is often traumatic to the surrounding tissues. Visible scars can be left behind from where the tube enters the treatment area and stitches are often needed. Recovery times vary, but are usually about a week.

Smartlipo: Smartlipo treatment areas can usually be treated with local anesthesia. Because of the laser, the procedure promotes collagen growth in the treatment area which helps to improve the unattractive loose skin that can occur with traditional liposuction. There is less trauma to the surrounding tissues, virtually no scarring, no need for stitches and a patient can usually return to work in just a few days.

Smartlipo has been featured on ABC News, and in People Magazine as a way to achieve the fat-melting fantasy.

Keep in mind that Smartlipo is not for everyone. Smartlipo is not a treatment for obesity. The best patients are those who are healthy, but have some areas that are resistant to diet and exercise.

How do you know if Smartlipo is right for you?

Contact me for a confidential consultation. I have performed hundreds of surgeries and can help you make an informed decision. For more information, visit my Smartlipo website where you can view before and after photos and read frequently asked questions.

Additional Resources:
View our Smartlipo Video
(Video link on Home Page)
View our Liposuction Myth Blog Entry