Liposuction vs Smart Lipo: What is the Difference?

Excess body fat is one of the most common conditions that people have. It is a persistent condition that tends to remain even after changes in diet and exercise occur. The reason for this revolves around the unique way fat deposits exist on the body. This allows them to continue acting as storage for energy after a person’s body composition has changed.

Liposuction represents one of the more reliable and traditional approaches to removing excess fat. While it can effectively do so, it may come with undesirable side effects while leading to less promising results than patients desire. When it comes down to liposuction vs Smart Lipo, it is beneficial to understand what makes these two similar techniques different before deciding if one may be better than the other for your circumstance.

What is Liposuction?

Liposuction is the process of removing fat cells from certain areas of the body. The liposuction most cosmetic surgeons use today has changed markedly from the days where a large incision was made before fat was “scooped” out of the body.

Modern liposuction relies upon using a tumescent solution designed to prepare the fat for removal while causing the blood vessels beneath the skin to contract. This reduces damage to the underlying tissue while making the process of liposuction less uncomfortable. Fat is removed by suction using a small incision in the area where fat is removed.

The advantage of traditional liposuction over other non-invasive treatments is the fact that it can remove more fat in a shorter period. The need for recovery is offset by the greater impact that it can have on the contours of the body.

What is Smart Lipo?

Smart Lipo is similar to tumescent liposuction, but it incorporates a probe with a laser on the tip. This probe is inserted before suction of the fat occurs. The laser light introduces energy into the surrounding fat cells, which in turn further liquefies the fatty tissue. This makes removal easier and ensures that a more even gradient of fat is removed, which in turn can make the results of liposuction more favorable.

Liposuction vs Smart Lipo for Fat Removal

Smart Lipo represents an improvement over traditional liposuction, especially when more sensitive areas need to be contoured. The heat induced during Smart Lipo acts to cauterize the blood vessels, which results in faster healing.

Another advantage of Smart Lipo is the fact that it results in more natural contours. The heat acts to tighten the skin where the liposuction procedure occurred, which in turn can eliminate the need for further cosmetic surgery after the fat has been removed.

While Smart Lipo represents a marked advancement in liposuction, it may not be for every patient. Certain qualities may make a patient better suited for other procedures. So when it comes to liposuction vs Smart Lipo for your fat removal, this will be decided during a consultation at The John Bull Center for Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Medispa in Naperville. Contact us today to schedule your appointment to learn more.