Smartlipo®

Smartlipo®, an innovative enhancement to traditional liposuction, gives San Jose and Palo Alto patients of Dr. Daryl K. Hoffman a less invasive alternative to tumescent liposuction alone. People travel from throughout the Bay Area, including Redwood City and Woodside, for this approach that requires less recovery time and has a decreased risk of complications.

Liposuction Expert in the Bay Area

Dr. Hoffman has extensive experience with body contouring procedures and also offers tumescent liposuction and VASER® LipoSelection®. As a Stanford-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hoffman is highly skilled and dedicated to providing an understanding and supportive atmosphere for his patients who are considering their cosmetic surgery options.

To learn more about the best liposuction options for you in the Bay Area, request your consultation with Dr. Hoffman online or call us at (650) 325-1118 (Palo Alto) or (408) 371-1118 (Campbell) to schedule an appointment.

How Much Does Smartlipo Cost in San Jose?

The average cost of Smartlipo is $2,500 to $5,000 per area at our Bay Area plastic surgery practice. A specific cost for any procedure is subject to a number of factors, such as the area or areas being treated.

Liposuction
 Before & After Photos

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What Is Smartlipo?

One of the many benefits of Smartlipo is that it may be performed under local anesthesia, eliminating the risks and grogginess that can be associated with general anesthesia. After the target area is prepared with tumescent fluid, Dr. Hoffman makes a small incision through which he inserts a tiny tube containing a laser fiber. This tube, known as a cannula, is moved gently under the skin as the laser ruptures fat cells for easier removal. Smartlipo also has the added benefits of:

  • Sealing blood vessels at the site, thereby reducing swelling, bleeding, and bruising for a faster recovery
  • Encouraging the production of collagen and effectively tightening the skin,1 minimizing the appearance of loose skin that can be associated with traditional liposuction

The Smartlipo procedure usually takes only an hour or 2, depending on the number of areas to be addressed. Typically 1 to 2 days of rest is ideal, and in almost all cases only a single treatment is required to achieve optimal results.

Common Treatment Areas

Smartlipo is known for its versatility in targeting stubborn pockets of fat throughout the body. Some of the more common treatment areas include:

Abdomen

Smartlipo for the stomach and abdomen leads to a flatter mid-section and more well-defined curves.

Thighs

Stubborn pockets of fat on the thighs are a common source of frustration for many people. Smartlipo is effective for the thigh area, including the inner and outer thighs (saddle bags) as well as the front and back.

Double Chin

Patients interested in chin liposuction can benefit from Smartlipo on the neck and jawline. Smartlipo erases a double chin and creates a more youthful contour from the face to the neck.

Upper Arms

Smartlipo on the arms trims “bat wing” fat and accentuates the biceps.

Smartlipo 360

For our Bay Area patients looking to target multiple areas, Smartlipo 360 treats back fat and love handles in addition to the abdomen and flanks for 360-degree body contouring.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Smartlipo?

Smartlipo is ideal for individuals who have smaller areas of excess fat they would like to slim down or sculpt. Candidates also need to be nonsmokers (or willing to quit) and in good enough health to safely undergo surgery. For patients in the Bay Area, liposuction with Dr. Hoffman is a quick, comfortable procedure that produces excellent results.

Dr. Daryl Hoffman

Dr. Daryl Hoffman

Dr. Hoffman is a board-certified and Stanford-trained plastic surgeon serving the San Jose, Palo Alto, and Campbell, CA, areas. He is known for his warm approach, modern techniques, and exceptional results. He takes pride in using his more than 20 years of experience in plastic surgery to offer advanced surgical approaches to the women and men he treats. Learn how he can help make your aesthetic goals a reality.

Meet Dr. Hoffman

What Are the Biggest Differences Between Smartlipo and Liposuction?

Smartlipo is an effective alternative to traditional liposuction, but the 2 procedures are sometimes both used as complementary therapies. Smartlipo’s tiny, laser-tipped cannula is much more precise than the cannulas (tubes) used to suction fat during traditional (sometimes called tumescent) liposuction. Other differences include:

  • Anesthesia: Smartlipo procedures require only a local anesthetic. Most traditional lipo patients are given general anesthesia, which increases the risk of complications.
  • Recovery time: Patients generally need a full 7 days of recovery following traditional liposuction. Smartlipo patients, on the other hand, are often back to work after 2 days of recuperation.
  • Incisions: A larger incision is needed for traditional liposuction. Smartlipo’s incision is so small that it does not require stitches. Larger incisions increase bruising and the need for a post-surgical tube for fluid drainage.
  • Skin condition: The laser energy used during Smartlipo results in tighter skin.1 In traditional liposuction, loose skin may remain after fat is removed.

Commonly Combined Procedures

Smartlipo often enhances the results of other plastic surgeries, whether to improve contours or to repurpose the fat for natural-looking volume across the body (such as in a natural breast augmentation). It is commonly paired with the following procedures:

What Is Smartlipo Recovery Like?

Smartlipo typically requires minimal downtime and causes only minimal discomfort, although patient experiences vary. Following surgery, Dr. Hoffman provides compression garments that will encourage healing and prevent blood clots. You will be ready to return home very soon after your treatment. Minor bruising or areas of numbness may occur for several days, and any swelling should dissipate in less than a week, at which point you can resume your normal activities.

Will Fat Grow Back After Smartlipo?

The results of Smartlipo body contouring are long-lasting; once fat cells are removed through liposuction, they will not re-grow. It is important to maintain a healthy diet and get regular exercise so that you can enjoy an improved appearance for years to come.
Smartlipo Before and After
Smartlipo Before and After
*Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

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A Few More Smartlipo FAQs

Because there are several different types of liposuction, it is normal to have questions about the advantages of a specific procedure and what sets it apart from other forms of lipo offered in the Bay Area. Some of the most frequent questions asked include:

Q: Can Smartlipo correct cellulite?

Although the skin tightening benefits of the Smartlipo procedure can sometimes improve the appearance of cellulite, other options might be better for addressing this concern. Dr. Hoffman frequently performs Cellulaze™ treatments on their own or in conjunction with Smartlipo to improve the look of bumpy skin caused by cellulite.

Q:  How long does recovery take?

Recovery following any surgical procedure varies from patient to patient and depends on the size of the area treated. Typically, however, a Smartlipo patient can expect to return to work after just a few days. Any visible bruising or swelling is minimal.

Q: How soon until I can exercise again?

Although you can — and should — start walking the day after your procedure, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise for about 2 weeks. Exercising too soon after having Smartlipo could increase swelling.

Q: Is Smartlipo painful?

The procedure itself is not painful, thanks to the local anesthesia that numbs the area completely. Some soreness is normal for the first few days of recovery, but most people find they can easily control this with prescribed or even over-the-counter pain medication.

Q: How long will my results last?

Your body will not grow new fat cells after your Smartlipo treatment, but the cells that remain can expand. This is why it is important to maintain good eating habits and an exercise routine. With a healthy lifestyle, your Smartlipo results can last indefinitely.

Q: Are there any non-surgical alternatives?

Yes, depending on your goals and treatment areas of choice. We offer CoolSculpting®, which uses intense cold to freeze fat cells, and ZERONA®, which uses laser energy to reduce fat on the midsection, hips, and thighs. SculpSure® is another noninvasive fat reduction treatment we have added to our practice that uses laser energy. If you are interested in reducing fat on the upper neck that causes a “double chin,” we offer KYBELLA® injections. These solutions can be a convenient, effective alternative for certain patients. Dr. Hoffman can help you decide on the right approach for your body.

Q: How much weight do you lose with Smartlipo?

Smartlipo is not intended to be a weight loss procedure. Instead, think of it as a cosmetic body contouring complement to a healthy lifestyle. You won’t see major movement on the scale. In fact, you may see a slight uptick for the first few weeks due to swelling. This will eventually subside and leave you at or just below the weight you were before surgery.


1 McBean, Jason C., Katz, Bruce E., Laser Lipolysis: An Update, Journal of Clinical Aesthetic Dermatology: 2011; 4(7): 25-34.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3140909/

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