We all have insecurities. Some of us are concerned about loose skin. Others wish they could turn back the hands of time and reverse wrinkles. However, virtually everyone sees stubborn pockets of fat that just won’t budge regardless of the latest fad diet or strenuous exercise regime. If you can relate to this, we invite you to learn more about Smart Lipo at Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ.
Are Smart Lipo Results Permanent?
The results of Smart Lipo, otherwise known as laser lipo, can be permanent. The fat cells destroyed and eliminated during the procedure are gone permanently. That said, this procedure only removes a percentage of the fat cells in the targeted area. Therefore, if you eat above maintenance in the future, it is possible that you will store excess adipose tissue in the targeted areas.
Note, weight fluctuations are to be expected. However, it is important to try to minimize fat gain. Depending on your body fat distribution, you may notice the contours in the targeted areas change if you gain between five and 15 pounds of fat. Unless you are trying to gain muscle mass, your post-treatment weight should be relatively stable from week to week. We recommend tracking your weight using a spreadsheet and graphing your weight over time with a trend line.
How Much Weight Can I Lose?
It’s important to understand Smart Lipo isn’t a weight loss procedure. That said, it is a fat removal procedure, so some weight will be lost. We can give you a better idea of how much weight you can expect to lose during your initial consultation. Your body fat distribution and body weight will affect how many pounds of fat this procedure can remove.
How Much Fat Can I Lose?
Once we evaluate your body fat distribution and problem areas, we can advise you on how much fat loss you can expect. Thanks to the precision of the laser we use, we can eliminate as few as 25 to 30 cubic centimeters of fat.
On the other hand, we can safely remove between 3,000 and 4,000 ccs of fat depending on your body weight. Since 1,000 cubic centimeters of fat equals roughly 2.2 pounds, you may be able to lose between 6.6 and 8.8 pounds of fat.
What Areas Can I Lose Fat From?
You can use laser lipolysis to remove fat virtually anywhere. As noted above, we can remove a very small amount of fat or a very large amount of fat. Therefore, this procedure can be performed effectively on small areas, like the underarms, chin and knees.
On the other hand, it can quickly and effectively remove unwanted fat from larger areas, such as the flanks, upper thighs, upper arms, abdomen, chest and back. Let us know during your initial consultation where your areas of concern are and we will advise you on how effective this procedure will be in each area of concern.
How Long Does This Procedure Take?
Typically, you can expect your procedure to take one hour per targeted area. That said, the size of the areas targeted for fat removal will affect the duration of your procedure significantly. If you are only targeting a small area, like your underarms, your procedure will be over quickly.
If you are targeting several large areas, such as your back and abdomen, your procedure may take over two hours. You may find your procedure lasts longer than an hour per targeted area if there is a lot of fat in the targeted area that needs to be removed or the fat isn’t close to the surface of the skin.
Is This Procedure Safe?
Yes, this procedure is completely safe for relatively healthy adults who qualify. Your medical history and current health will be discussed thoroughly to ensure you are a good fit for the procedure.
Notably, we use the most advanced laser, the CynoSure Smart Lipo Triplex, to assist the liposuction process. This cutting-edge laser is FDA-approved for safety. Rest assured, if you qualify for this procedure, you do not have to worry about nasty side effects post-op.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Remember, laser lipo is not a weight loss procedure. Therefore, you should be at or near your ideal weight to be considered a good candidate for this procedure. Specifically, it is advisable to be no more than 30 pounds from your goal weight. As noted above, we can remove a great deal of fat at once, and we can remove very little fat.
This is in stark contrast to traditional liposuction. Traditional liposuction is much more effective at removing fat from large areas, like the abdomen and back. However, it is also important to not have too much excess fat in the area targeted by traditional liposuction for fat removal.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
While this minimally invasive procedure is right for most healthy adults, it is not ideal for everyone. Healthy women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating heavily should hold off on considering this procedure. Conditions and medications that may preclude you from this procedure include:
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Prosthetics
- Liver disease
- Heart disease
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Vascular conditions
- Pacemaker or defibrillator
- Benign tumors
- Blood clots or anticoagulant medications
- Medications that increase photosensitivity
How Should I Prepare for This Procedure?
As noted above, we will discuss your medical history and current health during your initial consultation. This allows us to determine whether you are healthy enough to undergo this procedure. Since only local anesthesia is required to keep you comfortable, there is an excellent chance you will qualify for this procedure. Once we determine you are a good candidate, we provide you with an all-inclusive list of guidelines you must adhere to in preparation for your procedure.
One of the most important things to do in preparation for this procedure is to avoid anything that may irritate the treatment area. You should not tan in the 14 days leading up to your scheduled procedure, and you should avoid shaving the day of your appointment. Additionally, you should avoid other hair removal techniques that may irritate your skin, such as depilatory creams or waxing.
How You Should Prepare Your Body for a Rapid Recovery
To prepare your body for a rapid recovery, you should be as nourished and hydrated as possible before your procedure. Try to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily for a couple of weeks before your procedure for adequate hydration.
What Should I Expect After This Procedure?
A Short Recovery
One of the most compelling advantages of laser-assisted liposuction is the brevity of the post-operative recovery time. If you have a sedentary job, you can expect to take no more than a day or two off from work. Depending on which areas you target for fat removal, you may be able to return to work on the day of your procedure.
That said, it is very important to listen to your body during your recovery period. The more you rest, the shorter your recovery period will be. You won’t be drowsy or groggy after your procedure due to the type of anesthesia used. However, if you feel the need to take a nap after your procedure, it is highly advisable to do so. Your body knows when it needs to rest.
Minimal Restrictions
You can expect minimal restrictions following your fat removal procedure. After traditional liposuction, there are a number of post-op restrictions. For example, you can’t lift anything over nine pounds for six weeks post-op. Additionally, you can’t perform vigorous workouts for six weeks. These restrictions can be very detrimental to one’s quality of life.
On the other hand, there’s not a lot you can’t do after laser-assisted liposuction. For example, you should minimize your consumption of sodium, sugar and fat. Additionally, you need to go 48 hours without drinking alcohol. However, if you underwent traditional liposuction, you would have to go without alcohol or tobacco products for several weeks post-op.
Tighter Skin
Another benefit laser lipo has over traditional liposuction is it tightens loose skin. The heat emitted by the laser contracts the collagen in the foundational layer of the skin. Over the course of several days following your procedure, you will notice your skin tightening.
This benefit is particularly advantageous when several pounds of fat are being removed. Traditional liposuction often results in sagging skin. In some cases, it can take over a year for loose skin to tighten. In other cases, loose skin never tightens after traditional liposuction.
What Should I Eat After My Procedure?
Although we only use local anesthesia to keep clients comfortable during this minimally invasive procedure, some people find they don’t have much of an appetite post-op. You don’t have to force yourself to eat. However, you should make sure your meal is balanced and nutritious whenever you find yourself hungry.
We noted above you should minimize your consumption of sodium, fat and sugar. However, it is okay to eat moderate portions of fat. For example, there is nothing wrong with eating a serving or two of raw, salt-free almonds. Just don’t eat salmon cooked in salted butter and olive oil and have full-fat ice cream for dessert. Great choices for post-op meals include those that are high in soluble fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates. For example, you may want:
- Lentil soup
- Spinach salad with grilled chicken and strawberries
- Green Greek yogurt smoothie
How Should I Sleep After My Procedure?
If you are having excess fat removed from your chest or abdomen, we strongly recommend sleeping on your back for the first few nights post-op. If you are having excess fat removed from your back, calves or buttocks, you should spend a few nights sleeping on your stomach.
Learn More About Sculpting Your Ideal Contours Today
Are you ready to rid your body of bulging pockets of stubborn fat? If so, Smart Lipo may be right for you. While individual results vary, you can expect the results of your fat removal to last for a very long time. In some cases, the results last a lifetime.
To find out if this body contouring procedure is right for you, contact us today at Dr. Park Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ to schedule your virtual laser lipo consultation. We are also pleased to have an office located conveniently in Brick, NJ. Just let us know when you reach out whether you would prefer a virtual initial consultation or an appointment at one of our conveniently located offices.
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