What is the Difference between Tumescent Liposuction and SmartLipo Triplex Liposuction?
People are often confused by the different types of liposuction. Liposuction refers to the removal of specific areas of fat by suctioning, but what is done before or during the suction may be different and therefore make a difference to the final results.
- Tumescence refers to a type of local anesthetic fluid that serves several functions. It numbs the areas to be treated, causes local blood vessels to shrink therefore decreasing bleeding and widens the space that contains the fat cells to make them more accessible. Tumescent liposuction has a long safety record and, if performed correctly, does not require general anesthesia. During tumescent liposuction, the surgeon will inject the tumescent fluid under the skin, which will allow those areas to be fully numb. Then, using a cannula, the fat is suctioned out.
- SmartLipo Triplex liposuction utilizes tumescent fluid for the numbing part of the procedure, but before suctioning, the SmartLipo Triplex laser is used to treat all of the areas.
The advantages of using the SmartLipo Triplex laser include:
–melting the fat cells, which makes the suctioning part of the procedure much more gentle – requiring less force to extract the fat.
–stimulating collagen production, which leads to less skin sagginess and a firmer, toned look to the areas treated
–less bleeding and therefore less bruising which leads to less inflammation, decreased pain and a shorter down time.
Not all SmartLipo lasers offer the advantages of the SmartLipo Triplex Laser. Older SmartLipo lasers, such as the MPX, lack some of the wavelengths that stimulate collagen production (improved skin tightness) and decrease bruising. Therefore, it is important during your consultation with your cosmetic surgeon to inquire about the type of SmartLipo to be used.
The technique and experience of your surgeon it is one of the most important aspects of how well your surgery goes and will directly influence your results. All parts of the procedure are key to achieve an amazing result, but the tumescent portion of the procedure it is one of the most important parts of the surgery. The tumescence should be instilled by the surgeon and not by ancillary staff. While the tumescence is being instilled, several key components are identified such as areas that require more anesthesia and areas that may require further laser time and or more aggressive suctioning to achieve a great result.
During your consultation make sure to ask not only who will be performing the surgery but also if the surgeon is the one performing all the steps, from marking to tumescence to laser to suction.
Frank Soto León, MD is a cosmetic surgeon who is board certified through the American Board of Aesthetic Medicine. For more advice from Dr. Soto on body sculpting and other aesthetic treatments please visit www.omahaliposuction.com where you can read his blog and see Before & After Photos of actual patients. If you have a question you would like to see answered as one of our blogs, let us know!
