Q: Does "SmartLipo" work?

A:

While SmartLipo™, and other laser-assisted liposuction procedures are all the rage in the media right now, traditional methods may be the best, according to a recently published study in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal.

Although it was approved by the FDA in 2006, SmartLipo™ is controversial for some experts due to recent data that shows that the procedure is no more effective than traditional liposuction. Additionally, the procedure releases free fatty acids when destroying the fat cells and may present risks to the liver and kidneys.

SmartLipo™ can take longer than traditional liposuction, and be more costly. Balancing all of these factors, SmartLipo™ does not have an advantage over standard liposuction.

Two other non-surgical ultrasound based lipoplasty methods currently under review are Liposonix® and UltraShape® (neither has been approved by the FDA as of yet). If approved, ultrasound-based lipoplasty (which uses an external ultrasound device to target and destroy fat cells) may offer patients a convenient, non-surgical alternative to traditional liposuction.

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