Liposuction is a plastic surgery intervention to remove localized fat. It uses cannulas (small pipes) that are inserted in the targeted areas and suck the fat out of the body. Although it is one of the most requested surgeries, it is not a cosmetic procedure designed for weight loss, but aims to remove the fat that couldn’t be removed before through diet and exercise.

Traditional liposuction, which is being known and used for at least 30 years, received several technological surgery innovations, becoming safer and less aggressive. One of such new liposuction procedures is “Smartlipo”, or Laser Liposuction. The technique of  Smartlipo uses the Laserlipolysis technique, which removes excess fat through a laser beam, that warms the adipocytes (fat cells), dissipates them and turns them into a viscous liquid. The liquid is then absorbed by the body or can be removed with another low power, more gentle, cannula.

The laser liposuction is less aggressive than the traditional “lipo”. The used cannulas are just 0,5 to 1 mm in diameter. Traditional liposuction can also damage blood vessels and other structures apart from fat; that’s why massive bleeding is always present during the process and total anesthesia is required. The laser, instead, is programmed to destroy only the fat cells and causes no damage to other structures. And again, this new liposuction technique decreases to 30% swelling, pain and inflammation caused by common liposuction so the patient may have a faster recovery. The laser has also the advantage of being a light that can be seen through the skin, helping the surgeon to target the fat more precisely

This type of new liposuction is most recommended for small areas like arms, chin, face, armpits and neck. In addition, anesthesia, which is always a major concern, is not general but local.

However, despite having several advantages, Smartlipo is a surgery like any other and it also has disadvantages such as that the laser can burn the skin or that the patient will feel pain a few days after surgery. Also, cauterizing of blood vessels can result in skin necrosis.

Always remember that before undergoing any cosmetic surgery you should seek a specialist so you can have an answer to all your questions and find out which is the best method to adopt.