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Overview
Dallas cosmetic laser surgery expert Raúl P. Rodriguez, M.D. is one of the first cosmetic surgeons in Texas to offer the most advanced operation for removing unwanted fat deposits – Smart Laser Lipolysis, or SmartLipo. For patients who have previously shunned liposuction due to the downtime and painful side effects, SmartLipo offers an effective, minimally invasive solution with rapid recovery time and lasting results. The procedure is performed in the comfort of the doctor’s office, which is conveniently located in North Dallas across the NorthPark Center shopping mall on Park Lane.
Many men and women have consistently struggled with trying to lose excess body fat in order to achieve healthy and aesthetically pleasing lives. Though a balanced diet paired with regular exercise works for many, still others see little results despite large amounts of stress and frustration. Until now the best solution for removing such fat was liposuction -- a cosmetic surgery procedure that literally sucks the fatty tissues out of the body and enables a person to effectively lose weight in a matter of minutes.
However, a new procedure is now available that is making traditional Liposuction lose its edge and become less desirable. SmartLipo, or more appropriately Smart Laser Lipolysis, is a revolution in fat removal -- giving realistic meaning to the phrase "It melts fat away."
By using a cosmetic laser to melt unwanted fat deposits, Dr. Rodriguez’ Smart Laser Lipo offers a significantly less traumatic option to conventional liposuction with the added advantage of skin tightening and increased collagen production. Working best on small areas of fat throughout the body such as double chins, saddle bag thighs and fat around the back and bra strap region, SmartLipo is the ideal procedure for stubborn small areas of fat that are resistant to exercise and diet. Dr. Rodriguez can also reduce a flabby abdomen or flabby arms with this new technology.
Photos courtesy of Cynosure, Inc.
What is SmartLipo?
SmartLipo is a remarkable method for removing unwanted body fat through a low-pain, highly efficient process. Instead of the bulky tubes and uncomfortable office visits required of traditional liposuction, SmartLipo utilizes smaller instruments and specialized technology to zap fat cells for contouring and reshaping areas of the body including the abdomen, love handles, backs, thighs, hips, knees, arms, neck, jowls, and chin. The SmartLipo laser is the first and only available FDA approved laser device to rupture the membranes of the fat cells, which allows for the absorption and elimination process of excess adipose cells.
How does SmartLipo work?
Through a special laser similar to that used in cataract surgery, fat cells are targeted and the sound energy literally dissolves the cells on contact. A gentle suction then massages the dissolved fat out of the body. A very small percentage is retained, absorbed into the body, and excreted as waste within 24 hours. Worries about the safety of the laser should be quelled -- the laser can easily differentiate between fat cells and other tissues including nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
SmartLipo Treatment Areas
SmartLipo has the advantage of being able to treat small areas such as face, knees, forearms and the upper abdomen that have previously proven unsuitable with conventional liposuction equipment. With the introduction of laser liposculpture, treatment of small areas are now possible due to the size of the SmartLipo cannulas which are thinner than a strand of pasta, some measuring less than 1mm in diameter. This allows treatment of the localized pockets of fat in previously hard to reach areas and can reduce up to 500mls of fat in a single SmartLipo treatment session, making it ideal for problem areas such as double chins, jowls, love handles and male breasts.
Using the finer, more delicate instruments, SmartLipo can correct irregularities left over from previous Vaser ultrasonic or tumescent liposuction operations in a matter of minutes.
Larger areas traditionally treated with tumescent liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction can be reduced more effectively by melting the fat and tightening the skin prior to aspirating (sucking) the fat.
What will happen during my visits with Dr. Rodriguez?
Prior to your actual procedure visit you will need to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Rodriguez at his Dallas, Texas office near NorthPark Center. During this visit you will discuss your goals for the SmartLipo and your expectations. You will also need to share your medical history and other relevant information. You will be asked to bring all medications and supplements you are taking, including fat burning pills. After your medical examination, Dr. Rodriguez will inform you of the realistic expectations you can achieve based on your initial body state and the lifestyle modifications you plan to make.
It is important to recognize that though SmartLipo is highly effective, it is only appropriate for patients wishing to lose small amounts of fat, or up to about 8 pounds, in isolated areas. SmartLipo will not provide satisfactory results for persons needing to lose significant amounts of body fat -- such patients require alternate methods for weight loss.
SmartLipo Treatment Procedure
The procedure begins with Dr. Rodriguez marking the area for treatment. Dr. Rodriguez will then fill the procedure area with a diluted solution of local anesthetic administered into the fat pockets and surrounding subcutaneous tissues. This anesthetic saline solution helps numb the site and shrink blood vessels, plus it helps to keep you pain free after the procedure.
The optical laser fiber stylet is then inserted underneath the skin through the same small incision created when administering the anesthetic. The laser fiber is inserted into the skin and heats the fat cells to 45 degrees Centigrade, resulting in a breakdown of fat cell membranes and release of liquid fat. The laser itself features a guiding light to monitor the specific positioning of the optical fiber to ensure the exact area of concern receives a concentrated treatment. The laser fiber or cannula is moved back and forth as the laser energy is delivered directly to the fat cells. Using ultra short laser pulses (one ten – thousandth of a second) the localized fat cells heat up until they combust, dissolving into liquid fat oil that drains away gradually via the body’s lymphatic system. In addition to the dispersing of the fat cells, the laser energy stimulates the collagen in the dermis, resulting in skin shrinkage and tightening, adding further benefit to the SmartLipo procedure.
To achieve additional fat removal, a small incision is made in the area and small cannulas (tiny tubes) are inserted to suck out the dissolved fat cells. Dr. Rodriguez is able to develop proportion and balance in the patient’s figure to produce the most attractive overall silhouette using the specific fat dissolving SmartLipo laser. This is why this technique is often described as liposculpture.
The treatment takes about 1 hour per area. More time is necessary if there is an excessive accumulation of fat or multiple areas to be treated. A pressure garment is worn over the procedure areas for one to two weeks.
Why should I choose SmartLipo over traditional liposuction?
Many features set SmartLipo apart from traditional liposuction such as length of visits, comfort, recovery time, and reduced scarring and bruising. Traditional liposuction requires about seven days of down time post-procedure, general anesthesia, additional surgical procedures to touch up what the liposuction cannot achieve, stitches, six weeks of wearing a compression garment, and an unpleasant tube that vacuums out fat. SmartLipo, on the other hand, uses local anesthesia, small laser fibers and thin cannulas for fat removal; leaves little to no noticeable skin scarring; and requires no stitches, only two days of down time and only two weeks for compression garments.
In the advent of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, SmartLipo has emerged as an effective treatment to permanently remove fat cells from the most difficult and resistant areas of the body. SmartLipo, also known as Laser Lipolysis produces significantly less bruising and blood loss in comparison to conventional liposuction, with reduced recovery time and minimal patient discomfort. SmartLipo provides more effective, predictable results than long established liposuction procedures. Dr. Rodriguez has 19 years of experience with all types of lasers and is able to effectively sculpt the body into a new shape with the use of this new laser technology.
Offering a realistic option for clients who would not normally have considered liposuction, SmartLipo literally melts the fat away to fine tune areas where diet and exercise have not been effective. For a treatment that is practically “lipo on your lunch break” for small areas, SmartLipo provides an effective fat removal alternative that is taking the pain out of this most popular cosmetic surgery procedure while offering a visible result with very few side effects.
SmartLipo Results Time
SmartLipo treatment results can be seen as soon as a week following the procedure with continued improvement over a period of several months. The area can seem more streamlined and compact with some clients immediately, but most will start to notice a gradual change over a period of weeks to months as the body continues to process and naturally remove the released fat and the skin continues to tighten. If a 2nd SmartLipo treatment is recommended, a waiting period of no less than 4 months after the first procedure is recommended. The results are permanent, and the fat cells will not return to the treated area; but this must be supported like a weight loss program with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
SmartLipo Risks and Recovery
Recovery time is minimal with the SmartLipo procedure due to the non-invasive nature of the treatment. There may be a slight discomfort and localized bruising where the laser has been inserted underneath the skin. This is significantly less than traditional liposuction surgery that can take months to recover from and may include a minimum 1 to 2 day hospital stay. Infection is extremely rare, and most skin incisions are barely noticeable after a year.
No stitches are required, since the skin openings are so small, but you will have to wear absorbent dressings over the openings for a few days. Patients are advised to wear a special compression garment for up to two weeks after the treatment, as opposed to up to 8 weeks with regular liposuction. Dr. Rodriguez will advise you on follow up visits after treatment.
You can return to work the same day or next day providing your job is quite sedentary. Most patients resume normal activity, including exercise, within a week.
The treatment should not be performed on pregnant or breast-feeding women or on patients with poorly controlled diabetes or high blood pressure, with blood disorders, or with heart or kidney problems. Smoking impairs the circulation and increases risks and prolongs recovery. Smokers should cease smoking at least 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after treatment.
Cost of SmartLipo Treatment
Fees for SmartLipo in the Dallas area are dependent upon the size of the treated area and the number of areas to be treated and can range from $3500 to $4295. After your consultation examination, a more specific costing can be advised.
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