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As more women and men want to look and feel better about themselves, body contouring and lipo-sculpture continue to grow in popularity, making liposuction the most popular cosmetic surgery performed today.
SmartLipo™ is the first and only laser-assisted liposuction system available meeting this need. It provides a revolutionary and minimally invasive procedure for the removal of fat using a high-powered laser to sculpt body contours and tighten skin* with less downtime and side-effects.
How does the SmartLipo procedure work?
A very small cannula, or tube, approximately 1.0mm in diameter contains the laser fiber and is inserted into the skin. The cannula is moved back and forth as the laser’s energy is delivered directly to the fat cells, making them rupture and easy to drain away. In addition, as the laser energy interacts with the dermis it results in skin shrinkage or tightening.
Due to the small size of the cannula, SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed under local anesthesia. The procedure causes less bleeding, swelling and bruising, resulting in a quicker recovery time than conventional liposuction methods since the laser causes small blood vessels to coagulate immediately on contact. Because general anesthesia is not used, the procedure is very safe with minimal side effects.
Who is a good candidate for the SmartLipo procedure?
If you have areas of fat that will not respond to diet and exercise, then you’re a candidate for SmartLipo. Ideal candidates are in good health, of normal body weight and have realistic expectations for the procedure’s results.
What body regions can be treated with SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is a great adjunct to traditional liposuction procedures, though it does not replace conventional liposuction. It is ideal for treating small areas of the face, neck, arms, breasts (gynecomastia), abdomen and areas of loose and flabby skin ( floppy skin).
How many treatments will I need?
For most patients, typically only one treatment is required. The session may last from 45 minutes to one hour for each area treated.
Do I have to do anything post-treatment?
After the treatment you will need to wear a compression garment for several days to several weeks, depending on the body area being treated. Rest is recommended after the procedure and activity may be resumed gradually. Refrain from hot tubs or strenuous exercise for 2 weeks.
Does SmartLipo treat cellulite?
The procedure will improve the body’s shape and may improve cellulite to a certain degree.
When can I expect to see results?
Results can be seen as soon as a week with continued improvement over several months.
Does laser-assisted liposuction produce lasting results?
Yes! Adults do not create new fat cells. When a person gains weight, the fat cells expand. The SmartLipo procedure permanently removes the fat cells. Should you gain weight, most fat will be deposited in areas where the procedure was not performed.
*Aest. Plast. Surg. 26:335-339, 2002
What is Power Liposuction?
Power liposuction (or PAL which refers to power-assisted liposuction) is a new technique in which a motorized cannula removes body fat in a significantly safer, faster and less traumatic fashion than the traditional physician-held wand-like device.
What are the advantages of Power Liposuction over the traditional technique?
In a multi-center study performed at the Juva Skin & Laser Center by dermatologist Bruce E. Katz, M.D. and Plastic Surgeon Michael C. Bruck,M.D., it was found that power liposuction was more precise and took 40% less time to be performed, there was a 50% reduction in post-operative pain and there was a 40% reduction in bruising and swelling which significantly sped up the recovery time.
The end result was a greatly enhanced safety profile for the liposuction procedure!
Are there any differences in the pre-operative evaluation compared to traditional liposuction?
No. The same pre-operative evalution and lab tests are requested.
Is there any additional charge for Power Liposuction?
No. The fees for Power Liposuction are the same as traditional liposuction.
Will I recover from Power Liposuction faster than from the traditional liposuction?
Yes. The recovery time from Power Liposuction is almost half the time as the traditional procedure. Most people return to work two days after the procedure.
What about general anesthesia during Power Liposuction?
Because of the revolutionary approach to Power liposuction, our patients are completely awake during this surgery. It is performed under local tumescent anesthesia and you will actually be asked to stand up at the end of the surgery to be sure that the results are all symmetric! This is a much safer approach than the traditional procedure performed under general anesthesia.
How much bruising and swelling do I have after Power Liposuction?
There is about half the amount of bruising and swelling compared to the traditional approach and most patients recover from the surgery in about half the time.
How soon can I return to work after the liposuction procedure?
Most of our patients take off the day after the procedure and then return to work the next day. This is assuming that your job does not require any major physical exertion. If this is not the case, then we recommend several more days of rest before returning to work. Most people can resume their normal exercise regimen two weeks after the procedure.
What about the likelihood of a touch-up procedure being required after Power Liposuction?
Because Power Liposuction is much more precise than the traditional liposuction, the need for touch-up procedures is much less likely. The improvement in technology is likened to sculpture performed with a fine carving knife instead of a hammer and chisel.
Can Power Liposuction Lead to Increased Breast Size?
A study conducted at the JUVA Skin & Laser Center and reported in the February 2003 issue of the medical journal, Dermatologic Surgery, documented that thirty-four percent of women who had undergone power liposuction reported an increase in breast size after the procedure. Of these women, thirty-two percent reported an increase in breast size of at least one cup. Women in the remaining group noted that their breasts had become firmer and fulller. The observation of breast enlargement after power liposuction was associated with power liposuction being performed on the abdomen, hip, and thigh areas.
If you have any further questions about Power Liposuction, please contact our office.
Treatment options to improve the appearance of cellulite have until now, been limited. The latest technique, called subcision, is now available at JUVA. The superficial skin dimpling seen in cellulite is the result of the tension placed on the skin from the fibrous bands that course through the fat. Subcision involves inserting a specially designed needle into the fat to release these tethering bands. The process is done under local anesthesia with minimal downtime.
Juva offers the latest technology available for the treatment of acne. This treatment, a type of "photodynamic therapy" involves the use of a medication that is taken up by bacteria in the oil glands and converted into a light sensitive substance. This substance selectively absorbs the laser light, detroying the bacteria, ultimately improving acne without the side effects seen in systemic therapy.
Radiesse is a new injectable product for filling of folds and lines. The advantage of this new product is the potential for a long lasting effect.
Radiesse consists of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in gel (carboxymethylcellulose). Because calcium hydroxylapatite is a normal constituent of bone, it should not elicit a chronic inflammatory of immune response. Additionally, the gel carrier doesn't require allergy testing such as required with collagen.
Calcium hydroxylapatite has been used in humans for a long time in prosthetic implants in dental, facial, and orthopedic surgery. Animal studies and use of the injectable product in vocal cords and bladder neck areas have shown that the product remains soft without new bone formation when injected into soft tissue. The longest term studies come from Italy suggest that Radiesse shows promise as a new agent for facial contouring with no serious side effects and reasonable efficacy and durability.
Radiesse is approved by the FDA for non-cosmetic uses, but approval for cosmetic use is expected in the near future.