Liposuction vs. Smartlipo: Which Is Right for You?

If flab is standing in the way of you feeling confident and content with your body, you may be considering various body contouring procedures to help get rid of those unwanted pockets of fat. While less-invasive procedures like Smartlipo are gaining in popularity, Dr. Carlos Chacon believes that tumescent (traditional) liposuction remains the classic choice for a reason.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgery that pulls out fat cells from a specific part of the body. Dr. Chacon will administer anesthesia and inject sterile salt water into the body. He makes small incisions in the skin and then uses a small tube known as a cannula to suction out the salt water and fat cells from your body. He is careful to “sculpt” the body during the procedure to ensure it has attractive contours. Those fat cells are gone permanently, provided that you maintain a steady weight moving forward. You will probably only need to take a few days off of work, but should continue to wear a compression garment for a few weeks to hold the skin in place and prevent fluid buildup and swelling.

What Makes Smartlipo Different?

The main difference is that Smartlipo uses laser technology to melt the fat cells. The doctor still needs to make small incisions to suction out the fat cells treated by the laser. As a less invasive procedure than liposuction, it is gentler overall and the recovery time is less significant. With that said, most Smartlipo patients are still encouraged to wear a compression garment for multiple weeks and to avoid strenuous exercise for at least a month.

Why We Still Endorse Tumescent Liposuction in Most Cases

Ultimately, the results achieved from liposuction are much more dramatic than Smartlipo. While undergoing a less invasive procedure certainly has its perks, if you are serious about removing fat cells from your body to significantly change your contours, then you ought to choose the procedure that is best at doing that. Simply put, when performed by a skilled surgeon like Dr. Chacon, liposuction is very safe and the downtime is rarely lengthy.

Make an Appointment

There is a reason that liposuction remains the most popular body contouring procedure in the United States: it is highly effective. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Chacon to discuss what liposuction can do for your love handles, thighs, back, arms, chin or other areas, please call (858) 633-7546.