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Smartlipo in The Woodlands, TX

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Home  |  Procedures |  Body |  Smartlipo

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  1.  What is Smartlipo?
  2. What are the Benefits of Smartlipo?
  3. Who is a Candidate for Smartlipo?
  4. Your Smartlipo Consultation with Dr. Rivela
  5. How is Smartlipo Different From Liposuction?
  6. Your Smartlipo Procedure
  7. Your Smartlipo Recovery
  8. Smartlipo FAQs

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Do you have love handles, bat wings, muffin tops, saddlebags, or jowls that don’t respond to exercise and diet?

They all improve dramatically using  Smartlipo The Woodlands TX/ Spring performed by Lucian Rivela, MD, FACS, with minimal downtime and less pain than traditional liposuction alone. Because Smartlipo actually tightens tissue, you don’t have to worry about dimpling and sagging afterward.

  • Tightens tissue
  • Permanently destroys fat cells
  • Less invasive
  • Great results

This page is on Smartlipo The Woodlands, TX. For information on traditional liposuction, click here.

 What is Smartlipo?

Smartlipo is a form of laser-assisted liposuction that was developed to remove unwanted fat and fatty tissue quicker and easier than traditional liposuction. The laser energy breaks up and liquifies the fat, making it much simpler to suction it out. This process also allows for simultaneous skin tightening, ensuring you receive the leaner, more sculpted physique you’re looking for.

What are the Benefits of Smartlipo?

There are a wide variety of benefits you can look forward to with Smartlipo. Because of the laser energy, it’s a much less invasive procedure compared to traditional liposuction. It doesn’t affect the blood vessels, surrounding tissues, and nerves like liposuction usually does. Because it causes less trauma, there is also a much shorter recovery time with less bruising and swelling. On top of that, because the laser energy heats up the skin, it stimulates collagen production, tightening the skin for a more sculpted look.

Who is a Candidate for Smartlipo?

Smartlipo is typically most effective on small areas, so it’s not always the right option for everyone. If you’re in good overall health, have realistic expectations, are struggling with small, targeted areas of excess fat cells, and are a nonsmoker, you are likely an ideal candidate.

It’s not an appropriate procedure for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or have any medical conditions that could negatively affect the healing process.

Your Smartlipo Consultation with Dr. Rivela

At Rivela Plastic Surgery, we will customize your Smartlipo procedure in order for you to achieve the best results possible. To that end, we provide you with a comprehensive consultation prior to your procedure. Dr. Rivela will examine you and discuss recommendations for the type of liposuction procedure and recovery program to yield the best results.

In your initial consultation, Dr. Rivela will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie, and assess the condition of your skin. He will explain the body-contouring methods that may be most appropriate for you. For example, if you believe you want liposuction in the abdominal area, you may learn that an Abdominoplasty may more effectively meet your goals, or that a combination of traditional liposuction and laser treatment would be the best choice for you.

Be candid in discussing your expectations with Dr. Rivela. He will be equally honest with you, describing the procedure in detail and explaining its risks and limitations.

To learn more about our liposuction services and the various fat removal techniques available at our facility, contact Rivela Plastic Surgery today and schedule a consultation appointment. It is important to have a good understanding of the procedure before making a decision.

How is Smartlipo Different From Liposuction?

The major difference between Smartlipo and liposuction is that Smartlipo uses a laser to loosen and break up the fat. Liposuction typically uses a cannula and physical movement to loosen up the fat. On top of that, Smartlipo is much less invasive and comes with a shorter recovery time. Liposuction also doesn’t tighten the skin, so the procedure can sometimes leave patients with sagging skin afterward. With the Smartlipo laser technology, the procedure tightens the skin and breaks up unwanted fat cells at the same time.

MEET DR. RIVELA

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With over 25 years of experience, Lucian J. Rivela M. D., F. A. C. S. is proud to offer some of the most innovative procedures available in cosmetic and plastic surgery, aesthetic treatments, and skincare. Dr. Rivela is board certified and is a member of both The American Society of Plastic Surgeons and The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He and his staff are dedicated to helping you be your best confident, natural, and authentic self.

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Your Smartlipo Proceduredsf

This laser-assisted lipolysis procedure is performed using a small cannula (or tube) about the size of the tip of a pen, which is inserted under the skin. The laser delivers energy directly to the fat cells through the cannula, causing them to rupture. The liquefied fat is then gently suctioned out. New collagen is produced, resulting in tissue tightening. The three laser wavelengths contained in Smartlipo Triplex will allow Dr. Rivela to customize treatments based on the nature of your concerns.

Your Smartlipo Recovery

Smartlipo Triplex is a minimally invasive procedure that usually requires only local anesthesia. Some light bruising can occur, but you’ll be able to return to normal activities within a day or two.

Smartlipo FAQs

How do I know if Smartlipo Triplex is right for me?

The best candidates for Smartlipo are women and men who are not significantly overweight, but have accumulated fat deposits-such as love handles, flabby upper arms, excess neck or facial fat or fat on the lower torso. A consultation with Dr. Rivela for Smartlipo can help provide you with the best information.

What are the advantages of Smarlipo Triplex over conventional liposuction procedures?

First, both treatments remove fat, but unlike Smartlipo Triplex, conventional liposuction can leave behind loose skin. Second, because local anesthetic is typically used with Smartlipo treatments (instead of general anesthesia), you're awake during the procedure-that's a real plus, leading to a faster, easier recovery. Smartlipo Triplex can also create a high definition, sculpted look by defining waistlines in women and abdominal muscles in men (six pack).

What is the downtime with Smartlipo?

Smartlipo typically requires less downtime compared to traditional liposuction. Most patients are able to return to work and resume normal activities within a few days. However, it's important to note that individual recovery times can vary based on factors such as the area treated, the amount of fat removed, and a patient's personal health and healing response.

How long does Smartlipo take?

On average, a single Smartlipo session can take about one to two hours to complete. During the procedure, Dr. Rivela will use laser technology to liquefy the unwanted fat before it's gently suctioned out, typically resulting in a shorter and less intensive process compared to traditional liposuction.

Does Smartlipo hurt?

Smartlipo is generally less painful than traditional liposuction procedures due to its minimally invasive nature. During the procedure, a local anesthetic is typically used to numb the targeted area, which helps minimize discomfort during the operation itself. Patients may experience mild to moderate discomfort, bruising, or swelling after the procedure, but many find that the discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

What areas can be treated with Smartlipo?

Commonly treated areas with Smartlipo include the abdomen, flanks (love handles), thighs, buttocks, arms, chin, and neck. In some cases, Smartlipo can also be applied to smaller, more precise areas of the body that traditional liposuction might not be able to treat effectively.

What should I avoid after Smartlipo?

After undergoing Smartlipo, it is crucial to follow specific post-procedure guidelines to ensure optimal healing and results. Firstly, it is important to avoid strenuous exercises and heavy lifting for at least two weeks. Physical exertion could increase swelling and delay recovery. Hydration is also vital, so remember to drink plenty of water to reduce the chances of dehydration. Also, steer clear of alcohol and tobacco during the initial recovery phase, as these substances can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of complications.

Are the results of Smartlipo permanent?

The results of Smartlipo can be considered long-lasting, but they are not necessarily permanent. This is because while the procedure effectively reduces the number of fat cells in targeted areas, it does not prevent future weight gain. If an individual gains weight after the procedure, the remaining fat cells in the body can expand, potentially altering the results. To maintain the results of Smartlipo, it's important to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and regular exercise.

When will I see the results of Smartlipo?

With Smartlipo, patients often begin to notice initial results within a week after the treatment as swelling and bruising start to subside. However, optimal results typically become more apparent in one to three months, as the body gradually adjusts and the skin tightens around the newly contoured areas.

Who is a good candidate for Smartlipo?

A good candidate for Smartlipo is typically someone who is already near their ideal body weight but struggles with localized pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Ideal candidates are also generally healthy individuals with good skin elasticity and realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure. It's also important for candidates to maintain a stable weight before undergoing Smartlipo, as significant fluctuations in weight can impact the results.

What type of anesthesia is used during Smartlipo?

During a Smartlipo procedure, local anesthesia is commonly used. It's typically injected into the treatment area and combined with epinephrine to constrict blood vessels and saline to facilitate the distribution and absorption of the anesthetic. This type of anesthesia has the advantage of numbing the targeted area while allowing you to remain awake and responsive throughout the procedure, which allows for a faster recovery time.

When can I return to work after Smartlipo?

Generally, the recovery time following Smartlipo is relatively brief compared to traditional liposuction. Most patients find that they can return to work within a few days to a week, depending on the extent of the procedure and the nature of their job. Those with desk jobs or roles that are not physically demanding might feel comfortable resuming work within a few days, while individuals with jobs that require significant physical activity may need to take more time to ensure proper healing.

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This page is on Smartlipo The Woodlands, TX, for information on traditional liposuction, click here.

For more information on Smartlipo the The Woodlands TX, call (281) 681-3905

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