An option to the tummy tuck is new technology such as the Smartlipo, a laser lipolysis device that removes fat while tightening skin. One of the major benefits of the Smartlipo over the tummy tuck is the lack of the transecting scar. Smartlipo is a liposuction device which uses laser technology to not only melt fat, the laser energy also serves to tighten surrounding skin. Many physicians have found that they can replicate tummy tuck-like results without having to put the patient under anesthesia or the knife.
Tummy Tuck Alternative, SmartLipo Results of Dr. Robert Burke
Michigan SmartLipo provider Dr. Robert Burke stresses that patients should have realistic expectations when choosing laser lipolysis over the tummy tuck and vice versa, physicians should also carefully choose the right patient for the procedure. "An ideal candidate is a woman whose family is complete, they're close to their ideal weight with a body mass index under 30, and they're in good health." A patient with too much excess skin would not be an ideal patient for the Smartlipo procedure alone as the results would not be as dramatic as they may want.
Actual Results of Dr. Louis Cole with Thermage and SmartLipo Tummy Tuck Alternative
However, on a larger individual patient, a combination of procedures may yield better a tummy tuck alternative. According to Dr. Louis Cole, a cosmetic surgeon who offers Smartlipo and Thermage in Duluth, GA, he will combine a series of procedures to maximize his tummy tuck alternative while minimizing scarring. After traditional liposuction, Dr. Cole will follow up with the Smartlipo laser to achieve some initial skin tightening. "If we're going to work on a larger patient, we can remove some of the fat with the power assisted liposuction or with the small micro cannular liposuction, then we use the skin tightening and the sculpting ability of the SmartLipo to get definition and skin tightening," describes Dr. Cole.
After which, Dr. Cole finishes up his combination with a Body Thermage treatment. "We also use the Thermage procedure in conjunction with the SmartLipo and the power assisted because the radio frequency performed right after the SmartLipo seems to synergistically work for skin tightening," states Dr. Cole, "If a patient has a large amount of fat that has been removed and they don't want to have a tummy tuck, where they have surgery to cut away skin and reposition the belly button, we use the SmartLipo with the power assisted lipo followed by the Thermage procedure."
