SmartLipo - Machine

1st Generation

Manufactured by Cynosure and approved by the FDA in 2006 - The first generation of SmartLipo consists of a 1,064nm wavelength laser. The short pulse width breaks down fat cells through a photomechanical effect. Little (if any) fat is reabsorbed into the body. The laser output helps reduce the treatment time because of the higher energy power, and the ThermaGuide and SmartSense delivery system channel the energy wavelengths in a uniform way with added protection, thermal sensing and motion control technologies for safer and reliable body contouring results. The laser coagulates blood vessels underneath the skin, resulting in less instances of trauma, bleeding and bruising, as well as quicker recovery time.

The most effective use of SmartLipo is for smaller fat deposits on the neck, face, arms, back, knees, mons pubis, and gynecomastia. Areas with flabby and loose skin are also helped by SmartLipo.

Procedure

Each SmartLipo session lasts for 1-2 hours, dependent upon the body region and wanted outcome. Patients usually need one treatment per designated area of the body. The amount of areas on your body to be treated depends upon your weight and height.

For procedures using SmartLipo technology, patients only need to undergo local anesthesia because of the liposuction’s application on small areas. A small metal cannula tube (1-2 mm thick, similar in size to a pen tip) is placed underneath the patient’s skin to insert the laser tool and the numbing local anesthetic. The laser energy is focused through the cannula tube via a fiber and moved back and forth onto the fat cells to be eradicated, making them rupture and become liquefied. The altered fat is then suctioned from the body by a hollow cannula. The small blood vessels are immediately coagulated, improving the effect of hemostasis for less bleeding and body bruising. The laser energy on the dermis acts to shrink the skin.

Meanwhile, the laser is used to heat and shrink collagen bands, inciting new collagen production through tissue coagulation, also known as injury. The laser helps break septa bands responsible for dimpling due to fat deposits. This cellular damage tightens the tissue, and the energy is evenly distributed into the fat tissue.

Candidates

The best candidates for Liposuction include those that are in good health (to minimize risks and complications), exercise regularly, have realistic expectations for the treatment’s results, and have areas of fat that cannot be removed through diet and exercise. Areas that can be contoured with SmartLipo include the arms, midsection, waist, buttocks, thighs, and abdomen. The procedure is good to reduce post-pregnancy fat and other areas of the body resistant to diet and exercise.

Recovery

A small amount of patients may need a sporadic painkiller to manage discomfort, and the soreness disappears within 1-2 days. Minimal bleeding, bruising and recovery time means that patients treatment can go back to work within days and resume normal physical activities within 2-3 weeks. It is recommended that you have 24-48 hours of rest. Any slight swelling will go away after the anesthetic fluid is absorbed into and eliminated from the body.

Because SmartLipo uses tiny punctures, you will have to wear a compression garment (one full week and on a part-time basis for one week) during downtime to accelerate the open drainage of anesthetic solution at a faster rate, which reduces pain, bruising and swelling. Incisions (about 3 millimeters thick when first administered) should heal within 2-4 weeks with no scabs, any marks will disappear between 3-12 months. You should see results immediately, and final tightening of the contours should be visible over the course of several months.