SmartLipo is the hottest cosmetic treatment around at the moment.

Maybe it's something to do with the summer - if you're worried about cellulite or excess flab - trying on your swimming costume in front of an unforgiving mirror certainly concentrates the mind!

Since last year cosmetic clinics in the UK and Europe have been flooded with eager clients. And in the US demand for SmartLipo was equally high after FDA approval was granted last November with some clinics opening their doors the very next day.

Six months on with lots of treatments carried out in Europe and the US it should be easier to separate the hype from the reality.  

Here's my quick and easy guide to SmartLipo:

Is it non-invasive? Well…not entirely. The treatment involves a local anaesthetic and a small incision through which a micro sized canula (tube) is inserted. A laser is inserted into the layer of fat just underneath the skin and moved around in slow, fanning movements. The heat it produces destroys the walls of the fat cells, liquefies the fat within them, and seals off blood vessels. Internal bleeding and bruising is minimized compared to liposuction. You may have more than one incision depending on the area being treated.

How is the fat eliminated? The melted fat is released into the bloodstream and then removed and metabolised by the liver like any other fat. The amount of fat taken is limited so as not to overload the liver - but you shouldn't do this if you have any history of liver problems. With liposuction - fat is sucked out at the time of the procedure causing considerable discomfort and bruising internally.

Can you do it in your lunch hour? In theory - yes.  There are reports from patients who have done exactly that.  Many reports in the press focus on the fact that it takes 'only 20 minutes' to get the treatment.  But this is misleading.  If you have only one small area of fat to treat then you may be done in 20 minutes but if you have more fat in different areas - or more difficult to access fat - then it will last much longer - up to 2 1/2 hours.  Ask your Doctor exactly how long it will take for the areas you want treating.

Will there be any downtime? Again reports and hype are misleading.  Minor fat in one localized area could be done quickly without much downtime.  There are reports from people going straight back to work or to the gym immediately afterwards.  But if you have multiple incisions and spend 2-2 1/2 hours being treated it's highly unlikely you're going to want to do anything other than go home and rest.

Will I see immediate results? No - unlike liposuction - the fat is gradually eliminated from the body and this process can typically take around 12 weeks and sometimes longer. The upside of this is you'll look like you just lost weight naturally.  The downside is - you may not get the full results for quite a while.

What about loose skin or lumps and bumps? The amount of fat removed is smaller than for Liposuction and the fat is lost gradually over time rather than being aggressively vacuumed out. As a result there shouldn't be any issues with loose skin or uneven bumpiness. In fact clinics and press reports say the heat applied to the fat cells under the skin actually stimulates collagen production which has a skin tightening and firming effect.  Be aware that I have also read reports recently from people who have experienced visible bumps from fat which has not dispersed properly during the elimination process. 

Will I need stitches? No - the incisions are tiny so no stitches are needed.  Bear in mind though that you may have many incisions depending on the areas you want treated.  There could be soreness and discoloration as the incisions heal. 

Is it safe?  - The SmartLipo equipment has an impressive safety record provided it is used by a trained and experienced operator.  There are virtually no reports of any accidents or infections arising from the procedure itself.

Are there any long term effects?  Since the procedure has only been in clinical use for the last six months it is too early to answer this with any certainty.  Very recently some plastic surgeons have started to voice concerns that the heat generated by the laser may release free fatty acids into the bloodstream that are not eliminated and could be dangerous in the longer term.

Will it get rid of all my excess fat? If you are significantly overweight the SmartLipo is unlikely to be the right treatment for you. SmartLipo works best for fairly slim and toned individuals with stubborn areas of localized fat or cellulite they want to remove (saddle-bags, love handles, the caesarian overhang or upper arm flab). It is definitely not an alternative for dieting and exercise if you are overweight. If your BMI is in excess of 25 you're unlikely to benefit.l

Will the wobbly bits come back? SmartLipo damages or destroys fat cells. You may be surprised to know that your body stopped making new fat cells at puberty. Fat has accumulated because your existing fat cells got bigger. Once the fat cells in the area targeted by SmartLipo have been destroyed or damaged they are highly unlikely to come back. This doesn't mean you can eat as much as you like, take no exercise and expect not to get bigger. You'll just put it on in different places.

Is it cheaper than Liposuction - Yes…but it still costs a lot. Treatment is around $3000-7000 depending on the number of areas treated. You might want to go back to the gym first to see if you can tone up the areas you're worried about. Look at as many before and after photos as possible to decide whether the effect you'll end up with is worth the cost. Also take into account that the treatment is still only 6 months old and costs may come down.

There you have it - twelve key questions that should help you decide whether SmartLipo is the treatment for you.  I'm extremely squeamish and just writing about this procedure is enough to put me off.  But even if I wasn't such a physical coward the thing that would worry me most was the possibility of a long term health risk from free fatty acids in the bloodstream.

Getting a new svelte figure will certainly help you look younger but I'd say give it another six months or even a year to see how safe and effective SmartLipo really is.  In the meantime - you could consider an alternative like mesotherapy - or there's always the old technology - diet and exercise! 

 

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