Smartlipo™ in Fredericksburg, VA
Liposuction is consistently one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed in the United States each year, and with good reason. For patients who want a less invasive procedure that removes fat deposits and tightens the skin, our board-certified plastic surgeons offer Smartlipo™. This laser body sculpting procedure is available at our fully accredited facility in Northern Virginia.
Learn how Smartlipo™ can help you achieve your body shaping goals through innovative technology and techniques. Call 540-371-7730 or contact us today for a consultation.
Smartlipo™ is ideal for the following areas:
- Neck
- Jawline
- Arms
- Breasts
- Bra roll
- Abdomen
- Love handles
- Saddlebags
- Inner and outer thighs
- Knees
Smartlipo™ is an innovation in liposuction technology that uses laser energy to liquefy fat cells and firm the overlying skin. The tiny Smartlipo™ cannula contains a laser fiber that destroys or “melts” the fat cells, which then get gently suctioned away. The heat energy also causes collagen fibers to retract, which results in tissue tightening and firmer skin in the treated area.
Before and After Gallery
View Our Smartlipo™ Photo Gallery
This heat energy can also disable sweat glands in patients suffering from excessive sweating. These properties make Smartlipo™ an excellent choice for fat removal in patients who would have a less-than-optimal result from standard liposuction because of diminished skin elasticity.
What You Should Know About Smartlipo™
Your plastic surgeon will use tumescent fluid as local anesthesia for your procedure. The tumescent fluid reduces bleeding and bruising and also shortens recovery time. Inserting the small Smartlipo™ cannula requires small incisions.
Most patients require only one 45- to 90-minute treatment to achieve the contour they desire for a particular area. Smartlipo™ can be an ideal stand-alone procedure or a complement to traditional liposuction.
Whether performed on its own or used to enhance standard liposuction, Smartlipo™ is an excellent option. It achieves a slimmer, firmer appearance that can make a significant difference in how you feel about your body.
To learn more about why Plastic Surgery Services of Fredericksburg chose Smartlipo™, click here.
Smartlipo™ Recovery
The laser energy causes immediate coagulation of the blood vessels in the treatment area, which results in decreased bruising and bleeding. Since Smartlipo™ is gentler than traditional liposuction, the recovery is generally shorter and more comfortable.
Most patients can return to light activities and non-strenuous work within two to three days. Typically, results will be evident within a week but will continue to improve for three to six months.
Smartlipo™ Before and After Photos
Visit our gallery for actual results – laser liposuction before-and-after photos.
For information about laser liposuction cost, including discounts and financing options, visit our fees and financing page. We treat patients from Fredericksburg, Richmond, Fairfax, and beyond.
Fredericksburg Smartlipo™ FAQs
How long is recovery after Smartlipo™?
Immediately after Smartlipo™, you will go home and can perform mild activities. Prolonged recovery is not necessary, with minimal downtime required. Smartlipo™ reduces trauma and discomfort. Most patients can return to work one to two days after surgery. Some can return the same day, depending on the treatment site.
Does Smartlipo™ require anesthesia?
Because this procedure is less traumatic on tissue, patients don’t require a potent anesthetic, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction or complications resulting from general anesthesia. Smartlipo™ requires only a local anesthetic because of the smaller instruments and quicker procedure. Patients experience less bruising, more uniformity, and better cosmetic results.
Will Smartlipo™ help with sagging skin and cellulite?
Smartlipo™ can help with cellulite by disrupting fat cells in the treatment area. The Smartlipo™ laser will break the septa bands, which case a dimpling effect. It will also promote skin tightening through tissue coagulation in the treatment area.
Are Smartlipo™ results permanent?
Yes. The fat cells removed by any liposuction do not come back. The natural aging process produces body changes, but Smartlipo™ benefits will always be evident.
What happens if I gain weight after Smartlipo™?
If you gain weight, you will do so proportionally. Though it’s possible to gain weight in the treated area, it’s not to the same extent as before the procedure.
How long will it take for the Smartlipo™ incisions to heal?
Sutures can usually come out within a week and heal entirely within two to four weeks. The incision sites become less and less visible over three months to a year.
How long will it be until I see Smartlipo™ results?
Best results vary among patients and depend on age, areas treated, fat removal, and individual healing speeds. Some patients see immediate improvement, while others experience swelling that keeps them about the same size until swelling subsides.
Young patients tend to heal quicker with less discomfort. Still, best results take longer because young patients tend to retain fluid longer than older ones. There is no way to accurately predict healing speed or how quickly you’ll experience the results. Most patients reach 80% of their ultimate goal within one to three months after their procedure.
How many areas can you treat with one session of Smartlipo™?
The areas we can safely address at one time depend on your height, weight, and your surgeon’s decision. While there are variations, here are some general guidelines:
- If you are thin, you can have up to eight areas treated during one session.
- If you are of average weight and height, we can treat up to six areas in one session.
If you are heavy, obese, or tall, you can get up to three areas treated in one session.