St. Louis Laser Liposuction FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

Smart lipo is a form of laser lipo. Smart lipo was the first system to come out. Nowadays, there are at least 7 companies with their own version of smart lipo. All of these systems are classified under laser liposuction. They are all minimally invasive and the techniques are almost identical. Each laser company will tout their advantages over each other.

There are no head-to-head studies to compare these different technologies so the short answer is that no one can say they are the best. In general, given a good system and given an experienced surgeon, you should have good results if you have the right indication for the laser lipo. The right indication would be mild to moderate fat deposits with mild laxity of skin.

Laser liposuction through methods such as the Zerona have not been proven to work. Non-Invasive liposuction is a great idea, but it has proven to be a disappointment to those who have tried it. The promise of fat that is heated and removed by the metabolism is only that: a promise. In reality, laser alone does not remove fat or cause the body to remove it. Liposuction, when performed by a well-trained and aesthetically-minded surgeon will give superior results compared to mesotherapy or other non-invasive alternatives.

Whether it is performed as laser-based liposuction, VASER liposelection, or standard liposuction, the results should be comparable. Energy-based systems, such as laser and VASER, are designed to cause some tissue tightening that could help the final appearance. As for the final cosmetic result, however, they are all about the same. I perform both laser-based and traditional liposuction. The honest truth is that the energy-based systems like smart lipo and cool lipo could give tightening on top of the body-sculpting effect of liposuction but it is not proven.

Yes and no. If you are too overweight, then liposuction in general is probably not the right answer for you. That being said, if your physician says ok, then your weight becomes a factor in how much fat can be safely removed in one session. There are fluid limits that need to be followed to have a safe and smooth procedure.