Lunch hour lipo?

Posted May 21st 2007 at 9:31AM by Anne Metz (Subscribe to Anne Metz's posts)

Liposuction used to be considered a major cosmetic treatment involving anesthesia, recovery time and a lengthy healing process. Thanks to a nifty machine called Smartlipo, a slimmer physique can be had in about 20 minutes. Known also as laser lipolysis, Smartlipo uses a non-invasive lipo light to melt away inches.

After applying a local anesthetic, the physician makes a tiny incision into the fat layer where he or she then inserts the lipo light. Heat from the laser is dispersed in wave-like patterns to melt the fat cells. Melted fat is then released into the bloodstream where it is processed by the liver, and finally expunged by the body as waste material.

Another significant between Smartlipo and traditional liposuction is that the Smartlipo laser actually seals of blood vessels as it goes so that patients face minimal post-op pain. Smartlipo also costs roughly the same amount as conventional liposuction even though the procedure is simpler and faster. But like they say, no pain no gain.

Source

steve 5-25-2007 @ 2:45PM

it's too bad we've become a society where people turn to surgery so easily. in most cases this is unnecessary and there can be complications.

it's because of all the magazines showing pictures of ultra-thin models that women and girls think they need to be thin as rails. i can tell you, i'm a man who loves women with a few extra pounds (it's sexy) - and there are a lot of men like me out there!

Laurie de nuccio 5-25-2007 @ 3:08PM

Ok, to the man who "loves women with a few extra pounds," I agree with you. Plus, I'm getting tired of seeing ultra thin models with protruding breasts, most of them manufactered.
However, for someone like me, who was butchered by a doctor under anesthesia without my consent, for unnecessary liposuction, (I guess he thought I needed to be thinner), and this might be a god-send to even out skin texture and uneveness caused by him going to deeply into the tissue of an already thin person...and likely a lot safer than this horrible liposuction procedure with the cannula gouging into you, bruising up the ying yang, and months and months of recovery time.
All in all, though I don't know much about this procedure, it does sound way better and safer than conventional liposuction. That should have never been approved for the general public by the FDA in the first place!!

olmedina 5-25-2007 @ 3:21PM

weep for our sisters and daughters, womyn.

Irina 5-25-2007 @ 3:26PM

Best thing is to get on a treadmill or trackfield and do it the natural way without any nasty side effects, that is for people who feel overweight. And for those who are in good shape but still think they don't look thin enough (skin and bones) like the models, then remember this: guys are not dogs to jump at the bones!!!

Jane 5-25-2007 @ 3:37PM

I agree with Steve. People pretend that losing weight is all about getting healthy, but the biggest reason is that we are fat-phobic society. Why be so afraid and disgusted by fat that you would pay thousands to get it surgically removed? What does that have to do with health? Spend the money on a good personal trainer or to speak with a nutritionist. Fat is needed to keep you healthy, having too little can be just as bad or worse than having too much. Besides, I think women that are nothing but bones should have fat put in them, not removed. I'm not sure what's attractive about the big head, skeleton body look that Hollywood is currently obsessed wth.

Irina 5-25-2007 @ 3:32PM

Best thing is to get on a treadmill or the trackfield and do it the natural way without any nasty side effects for those who feel they are overweight. And those who are in good shape but still think they don't look thin enough (skin and bones) like the models, then remember this:
guys are not dogs to jump at the bones!!!

orit 5-25-2007 @ 4:03PM

well, as a woman, i agree with the general male view here regarding real women have real sexy curves.Im an israeli who cureently also resdes here and i got to say, its becoming quite an epidemic here, surgeries and procedures that are even offered to fresh young women, fresh from their army service(aka 20 years old).i myself addore sports for many years now, i eat what i want, knowing, not that i wouldnt get fat, but that its a joy to live well and enjoy life to the fullest, as long as you"pay your dues", in sports later that day.health, happiness and a conciouse mind is what needed, not more liposuctions!

KM 5-25-2007 @ 4:27PM

As a hetero male, I will say that it is not only women that suffer from the images of today's society. Someone that was overweight and ridiculed most of his childhood by school children as well as family members, it was ground and forced into my personality to be overly conscious of my physical size and shape. Even when I was 8% bodyfat it was never "right", I was viewed as a "player" and told by some that I was "too thin". I was always, and continue to be unacceptable no matter how I look. From anorexia, to the newly crowned condition affectionately called Exercise Bulemia.. I have been through them all. Even now as I get "back to where I once was" while watching myself closely to be sure that I do not fall back to my old habits of over exercising, eating too healthy, and being too fit and trim I fear that I will never really be seen for who I am, instead I will be admired for how I look.

Personally, while I have always prefered "trim" and "fit" women, I have dated all types. I still am attracted to thin women, not because they are modelesque, or because they are gorgeous (most I am attracted to tend to be homely or "plain"), but I am attracted to them rather because they are how I will never be able to see myself, thin and beautiful.

Richard A D'Amico, MD 5-25-2007 @ 4:58PM

Anne:
Please remember that liposuction is still surgery and it is dangerous to promote any new technology without getting the full story from medical experts. The public deserves to hear the science and critical review along with the hype or a company's commercial promotional statements.

Richard A D'Amico, MD
President Elect
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
847-228-9900

Sunrise 5-25-2007 @ 5:53PM

I HAD SmartLipo. I am in my 30's, slim and fit. I could not get rid of the genetic double chin and jowls that have been passed down to me, so that was the focus of the surgery. I feel much more attractive and confident, have had little down time (although it is NOT lunch hour recovery as it is being touted).

SmartLipo is NOT new - just new to the US. Studies in the US were done for about a year before FDA approval last September. I would highly reccommend a plastic surgeon (board certified) rather than a dermatologist for this procedure. The company who makes the SmartLipo machine (Cynosure) sells the machine to both dermatologists and plastic surgeons. I called Cynosure's 800 number and they gave me a list of doctors in my area, which I weeded through.

SmartLipo is usally COMBINED with regular or power liposuction. Power Liopsuction also has less recovery time. SmartLipo, unlike any other liop, actually tightens the skin (stimulates collagen production), so loose skin being left behind is not much of an issue. The doctors combine liposuction techniques for maximum results.

I was wide awake during the procedure (I wouldn't have done it asleep). Less painful than goingto the dentist during the procedure. Not too bad!

Tedly 5-25-2007 @ 6:06PM

This procedure could make sense, and here's why. Early bad habits leave us with an excessive number of fat cells. I understand that exercise and diet can reduce the size of those fat cells but not diminish their number. That's part of what makes keeping weight off so difficult. This procedure, by eliminating large numbers of fat cells, should give people who exercise and eat carefully much better and longer-lasting results. I'd not hold it against anyone who does it just once to undo the otherwise permanent results of past "sins."

nina 5-25-2007 @ 6:29PM

Look, lets get real --no matter how much we SAY we should like ourselves the way we are, society judges us unmercfully on our appearance. As someone who was a BEFORE and an AFTER, the difference a little nip/tuck made in my life was unbeliveable. When you are middle aged, a little dumpy after a couple of kids, and not so hot anymore you are invisiable. After some lipo and a small face lift, suddenly I get attention, respect, --all kinds of people seek me out, even in stores, business ect. life is just easier when you are attractive. Humans, and especially men, are hard wired to respond to beauty and thats a cold hard fact. Sometines all the time in the gym wont reverse the process of time and gravity , so I say GREAT... if it works and you feel you want it, then go for it. All I can say is that it changed my life infinitly for the better.

linda 5-25-2007 @ 6:32PM

Lipo is ok, just make sure you go to board certified dr. It's true people should do it for health benefits. Even 20 lbs. overweight is dangerous, especially if it's in the stomach. But psych research shows we're born loving the visual so it's never gonna change. Not even can diet/exercise it out. i did til my face was sunken and bones started showing and situps every day and still had gut cuz of Italian genes. so if i could have a little lipo to suck the gut and keep me healthy, i would do it, did do it, and would again.

B 5-25-2007 @ 7:00PM

I agree we use cosmetic surgery too easily...but I really hate my arms. But I have great natural Boobs...LOL

PS I will probably keep my hated arms, I hate pain more than I hate the extra flab there.

carol 5-25-2007 @ 7:05PM

Anyone know of problems anticipated/associated with liver function following the elimination phase?

ericsmusclecars 5-27-2007 @ 8:34AM

Let's face it, it won't be long before people with money can afford the proverbial fountain of youth. C'est la vie, its no ones fault that they are weathly and can afford things others can't. I for one am not going to look down on people that want to improve their quality of life. Meaning make themselves happier.
www.ericsmusclecars.com

Dawn 5-25-2007 @ 7:35PM

Melted fat is then released into the bloodstream where it is processed by the liver, and finally expunged by the body as waste material.
And what will they find that this leads to in 5 or tem years? Hmmm.... That it is clogging the arteries of americans faster than the average cheeseburger? Could be!!!!! Another miracle 'quick cure to lose weight' making us 'look' good yet killing us from the inside out. Great! Cudos to the inventor. LMAO

Carolyn Krivit 5-25-2007 @ 7:36PM

that is what I am cocerned with, too. You liver panel ESPECIALLY cholesterol/tryglicerides............this approach is putting melted fat in your blood stream. Guess where that blood goes? To the heart with every beat. So, it sounds like melted butter/fat being placed in your blood. Sure, the liver can help filter it out, but it seems very scary on a cardiac level

Lori Miller 5-27-2007 @ 12:52PM

I had smartlipo done yesterday. I am almost 49 and had areas on my body that did not respond to exercise and diet. This is not for someone who is just over weight. I weigh 128 and am 5' 3". I was tired of my clothes not fitting right. My legs, hips, and butt are small but my waist was much bigger. You can imagine what it was like to buy pants that fit my waist---very very baggy in the butt and legs. For my waist and love handle area, it took 5 hours, done by a plastic surgeon. It took longer because I had previous abdomial surgery and had alot of adhesions, making it more difficult. I still won't wear a bikini but my clothes will fit better and it will be easier to buy them.

donna 5-25-2007 @ 8:07PM

Is any one else worried about the risk of a fat embolism? I sure would like a quick fat fix, but not at the risk of my life. As mom would say, that's why it is W O R K to lose weight.