While both traditional liposuction and SmartLipo are effective at removing unwanted fat, there are some key differences. CoolScupting has proven to be substantially less effective than Smart Lipo and other forms of liposuction. CoolSculpting results tend to be unpredictable and only remove a minimal amount of fat. The average CoolSculpting treatment only helps patients lose a few ounces of fat, while the average Smart Lipo treatment removes about 6 pounds of fat from the treatment area.
While liposuction recovery is easier with Smart Lipo, patients should still expect some post-procedure side effects, such as pain or numbness. Through small incisions in the skin, local anesthesia is injected into the areas to be treated, laser energy is applied under the skin and the fat is removed with regular liposuction cannulas. Liposuction is usually performed on areas of the body that are known for their fat deposits, such as the abdomen, hips, thighs, and buttocks. Since Smartlipo can be performed on almost any area of the body, there are very few cases where I choose to perform traditional liposuction instead of Smartlipo in my patients.
Smart Lipo works in a similar way to liposuction, in that adipose tissue is removed from the body for a slimmer appearance. In addition to removing fat, Smart Lipo also stimulates collagen production to tighten the skin and increase elasticity. That's the only way to evaluate your eligibility for a lipo or a tummy tuck (or even a combination of both). The main benefit of SmartLipo compared to lipo is additional skin tightening, which is usually translates into a better final result.
With that caveat, flying one day after a SmartLipo procedure is usually fine if it's the ONLY treatment being performed. While smart liposuction and traditional liposuction are effective at removing persistent fat, there are some key differences. It is worth noting the laser part of Smartlipo, which promotes the formation of collagen and tightens the skin in the treated area. SmartLipo uses laser technology, making it possible for people with darker skin tones to discolor (although it's rare).
We have seen dozens of patients with a saggy abdomen after SmartLipo even though they were told that their skin would tighten.
