SmartLipo TriPlex™

Frequently Asked Questions:

How does SmartlipoTriPlex work?

This laser-assisted lipolysis procedure is performed using a small cannula (or tube) about the size of the tip of a pen, which is inserted under the skin. The laser delivers energy directly to the fat cells through the cannula, causing them to rupture. The liquefied fat is then gently suctioned out. Laser energy is applied to the undersurface of the skin causing injury and collagen shrinkage. New collagen is produced, resulting in tissue tightening. The three laser wavelengths contained in Smartlipo TriPlex allow your physician to customize treatments based on the nature of your concerns.

What are the advantages of Smartlipo TriPlex over conventional liposuction procedures?

Both treatments remove fat, but unlike Smartlipo TriPlex, conventional liposuction can leave behind loose skin. When smaller areas are treated local anesthetic is typically used with Smartlipo (instead of general anesthesia) leading to a faster, easier recovery. Smartlipo TriPlex can also create a high definition, sculpted look by defining waistlines in women and abdominal muscles in men (six pack).

Who is a good candidate for SmartLipo?

If you are unhappy with the shape of your body and are in good health then you are likely a good candidate for SmartLipo. Age and genetics alter the shapes of our bodies, causing the accumulation that is resistant to diet or exercisse. SmartLipo is suited for that healthy individual who eats right, exercises, and generally lives a healthy lifestyle, but cannot seem to lose weight from a trouble area. The best candidates for Smart lipo are women and men who not significantly overweight, but have accumulated fat deposits- such as love handles, flabby upper arms, belly fat, excess neck fat, saddlebags, or inner thigh or knee fullness.

What areas of the body can be treated?

LaserBodySculpting is ideal for the neck, jawline, arms, breasts, “bra fat”, abdomen, “love handles”, “saddle bags”, inner and outer thighs and knees.

Will SmartLipo help with cellulite or sagging skin?

SmartLipo can help with the appearance of cellulite by disrupting the fat cells in the area. The laser also will break the bands of septa causing that “dimpling appearance”. The SmartLipo will also help promote skin tightening through tissue coagulation in the affected area.

How many areas can be treated at one time?

The number of areas that can be treated at one time depends on your height and weight. Although individuals do vary, there are some general rules:

If you are slender or thin, up to 8 areas can be treated in one procedure
If you are of average height and weight, up to 6 areas can be treated in one procedure.
If you are heavy, obese or very tall, up to 3 areas can be treated in one procedure.

This is decided during your consultation…safety is ALWAYS the priority.

How long does the SmartLipoTriPlex procedure take?

The SmartLipo TriPlex procedure generally takes between one and three hours, depending on the number of treatment areas and the volume of fat to be removed.

Does SmartLipoTriPlex hurt?

Using the latest technology, the smallest of incisions and only the use of a local anesthetics, bruising and a recovery period are less than traditional liposuction. Very few patients will need more than an occasional mild painkiller during the recovery period. The recovery for this procedure is usually quick and most patients will be able to return to work and their regular activities within a few days when the number of sites treated is limited.

Will I be awake or under general anesthesia?

This will be decided during your consultation with Dr. Funt, but with SmartLipo you can be wide awake. With SmartLipo, the liposuction is done using smaller instruments in a more advanced, less traumatic manner that requires only local numbing, not heavy anesthesia. Patients have more uniformity in their result, less bruising due to the characteristics of the laser, and generally just a better cosmetic result. This also translates into faster recovery and less downtime. Intravenous sedation is available for those patients who are anxious or who are having a larger number of problem sites treated at the same time.

How much bruising or swelling will I have?

Using Smartlipo causes less tissue trauma and less inflammation, bruising and swelling are also minimized. SmartLipo uses only small punctures and does not use stitches, so patients experience less bruising and swelling than with the traditional liposuction techniques. Some patients will have almost no swelling or bruising while others will be swollen or bruised for about a week or two. With SmartLipo, the tumescent technique allows for “open drainage” adits (tiny round holes), and by not using stitches, the rate of drainage of anesthetic solution is also accelerated. The laser characteristics of the SmartLipo also play a significant role in this open technique, all of which helps reduces the amount of pain, bruising and swelling for the patient.

How much downtime will I have?

Immediately after your procedure you will walk out and be able to perform mild activities. Unlike the need for prolonged recovery and possible overnight stay when liposuction is performed with heavy anesthesia, downtime is minimized. SmartLipo significantly reduces tissue trauma and post procedural pain. Most patients are able to return to normal desk type work in two to four days and some patients are able to return to work the same day, depending on the area treated. Full normal activity can be resumed within two weeks after the procedure.

How long will it take for the incisions to heal?

Adits usually close up within a week, and become completely healed with no scabs within two to four weeks. During the healing process, the adits resemble round red pimples. The incision sites become less and less visible over three to twelve months, often times fading until they are invisible.

Will SmartLipoTriPlex cause scarring?

A tiny incision is made in the skin which will result in the smallest of scars. Incision sites heal without stitches.

How many treatments are required?

A single treatment is all that is required for most patients.

How long will it be until I see results?

Final results vary from patients and depend on patient age, areas treated, the amount of fat removed, and individual healing speeds. Some patients see immediate results that improve steadily while others have weeks of swelling that keep them at about the same size as they were pre-procedure, even though large amounts of fat have been removed. Young patients tend to heal much quicker and have less discomfort, but final results often take longer because young patients tend to retain fluid longer than older patients. There is no way to accurately predict your healing speed or how quickly you will see results. Most patients will see 80% of their ultimate result within one to three months after their procedure.

Does SmartLipoTriPlex produce lasting results?

Yes! Results can continue to improve for up to a year. Adults do not create new fat cells. When a person gains weight, the fat cells expand. SmartLipo TriPlex permanently destroys the fat cells. The treatment area will have reduced fat cells and therefore future weight gain will be greatly reduced in that area.

What happens if I gain weight after SmartLipo?

If you gain weight after SmartLipo, you will gain it proportionally, including in the areas that were treated. It is possible to gain weight again in the treated area, but not to the same extent as prior to the procedure.

Will I get fat in weird places after SmartLipo?

NO…It is a common false myth that the fat removed by liposuction grows back in other places after the procedure. The number of fat cells your body has was determined by the time you went through puberty. Once you become an adult, your body does not make more fat cells. If a patient gains weight after this procedure there will be a proportionate increase in the areas not treated similar to the way these areas enlarged with weight gain prior to the procedure. The treated areas will enlarge to a lesser degree because the number of fat cells in these areas is reduced.