Are There Any Risks with SmartLipo?

While the risks associated with SmartLipo are considerably less than those associated with traditional liposuction surgeries, as with any surgical procedure some risk still exists.  The good news is that since being approved by the FDA in 2006 thousands of SmartLipo procedures have been performed and not a single one of them has resulted in a serious medical condition.

With traditional liposuction, the risks are primarily associated with the use of general anesthetic and with the possibility of infection occurring in the incision site. SmartLipo eliminates anesthetic-related risks by using only local anesthetic which does not fully sedate the patient. SmartLipo also greatly reduces the risk of infection by creating an incision so small that it doesn't require stitches. While a small risk of infection still exists, it can be reduced further with proper care, cleaning and maintenance of the incision as it heals.

Most of the risks associated with SmartLipo are consistent with all surgical procedures and are temporary. Some SmartLipo patients may experience a small amount of mild post-op pain as their bodies recover from the procedure. Other SmartLipo patients may experience slight swelling, tenderness, or light bruising. The greater the sensitivity of the area treated and the longer the length of the session, the more likely you are to experience these side effects. Fortunately, most of these side effects will resolve themselves without treatment and within a week of the original procedure.

The occurrence of even these side effects is relatively low thanks to the blood cell-sealing qualities of the laser's light beam.  SmartLipo patients will experience virtually no bleeding and considerably less swelling than patients undergoing other non-laser cosmetic procedures because the laser cauterizes blood cells even as it is destroying fat cells.

Even the occurrence of cosmetic risks is significantly reduced with SmartLipo. The SmartLipo procedure liquefies and drains fat deposits.  They will not reform and fat will not build up in the targeted area again. The SmartLipo laser also shrinks the skin around the treatment area. These two actions combine to eliminate the risk of lumpy or misshapen areas and also do away with the extra skin often left behind in traditional liposuction procedures. Likewise the significantly smaller incision minimizes the risk of visible scarring.

If you have a medical condition that you feel might complicate a SmartLipo procedure, then we recommend consulting your doctor first.  Fortunately, the absence of general anesthetic in SmartLipo procedures make them safe for just about everyone.  Of course selecting an experienced and qualified SmartLipo-approved surgeon will not only provide you with the best outcome, it will further decrease your odds of contracting any of the above side effects.