More men and women than ever before are seeking body contouring procedures like liposuction to help them achieve their ideal body shape. Although traditional tumescent liposuction continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, many people are now drawn to the added benefits that advanced liposuction techniques like Smartlipo can offer.
If you’re thinking about scheduling a body contouring treatment to help you reach your fitness goals, take a look at this breakdown of what to expect with Smartlipo.
What to Expect before Smartlipo
Before deciding if Smartlipo could be the right liposuction technique for you, you’ll want to sit down with an experienced cosmetic surgeon to discuss your goals and options. Smartlipo is a combination of traditional tumescent liposuction and laser energy to melt fat deposits before they’re removed via suction, as well as stimulate collagen production to provide a tightening and toning effect.
Because of this, Smartlipo can be a great choice for anyone who is looking to treat areas with particularly dense fat, such as the back, thighs or enlarged male breasts. Smartlipo can also help men and women who are concerned about minor skin laxity after liposuction, thanks to its skin-tightening effect.
If you choose to move forward with Smartlipo, your cosmetic surgeon should provide with detailed guidelines to help you prepare for your procedure. These should include things like:
- Coming as close as possible to your ideal body weight
- Avoiding smoking for several weeks before getting Smartlipo
- Adopting healthy eating habits
- Discussing any medications and supplements you’re currently taking with your cosmetic surgeon
What to Expect During Smartlipo
Your Smartlipo session will start with small, carefully placed incisions through with your cosmetic surgeon can insert the lipolysis laser and small suctioning tube. The laser will help to loosen the targeted fat cells, making them easier to remove, and both of these steps can be done using the same incision.
Typically, general anesthesia is used for Smartlipo, although it can also be combined with local anesthesia for improved comfort.
Depending on the size and number of areas being treated, the Smartlipo process can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
What to Expect after Smartlipo
One of the benefits of Smartlipo is that it usually requires a shorter recovery time than traditional liposuction. That said, you’ll still need to take it easy for a few days while your body recovers. The most common side effects immediately following this procedure are bruising, swelling and minor discomfort. To help alleviate these symptoms, your cosmetic surgeon may recommend that you wear a special compression garment for the first 1 to 2 weeks of healing.
Most people feel comfortable enough to return to work within 2 to 4 days after getting Smartlipo. But keep in mind that everyone will heal at a different pace, and the amount of fat removed during your procedure can affect the length of your healing time.
While you recover, you can give your body a boost by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and avoid vigorous exercise. During this time, be sure to follow your cosmetic surgeon’s Smartlipo recovery guidelines to minimize the risk of complications and maximize your results.
Over the next few weeks, you should notice gradual improvements to the contours of your body, with your final results developing over the next several months.
Dr. Andan’s good bedside manner and customized approach ensures that every person who visits New York Surgical Arts enjoys a welcoming and positive experience from the initial consultation to the post procedure period and beyond.
