Laser Liposuction-SmartLipo™, SlimLipo™, CoolLipo™- Know the Facts

Liposuction is the most common plastic surgery procedure done in the United States. There has been much publicity about new laser liposuction techniques which are heavily marketed. While these techniques are very exciting and promising, the technology and promotion have outpaced the development of safe effective treatment methods and the best laser technology.

Early use of the Smartlipo, possibly in incapable hands, has resulted in burns, contour deformities, and broken laser tips left in patients. While I believe in the future of laser liposuction and have incorporated laser liposuction in my practice, I am using newer technology which I believe to be much safer and more effective.

Palomar™ Medical has just introduced SLIMLIPO™ a new laser liposuction technology which may well revolutionize the way liposuction is done. The word SLIM™ stands for Selective Laser Induced Melting and what is new is the laser wavelength-920 and 920/980 nm- which selectively melts fat-3 times more than SmartLipo™and 5 times more than the 1320nm laser used in the CoolLipo™ device.

As importantly Palomar is using new patented laser fiber technology which is very sturdy and eliminates the problem of fiber breakage.

In some patients with smaller fat deposits we can melt the fat with the SLIMLIPO™ laser fiber and use no suction to remove the dissolved fat. This means less bruising, less trauma, and quick recovery.

New laser liposuction technology is revolutionizing the way liposuction is done. Benefits of the new laser liposuction technique are

· The laser selectively dissolves fat unlike standard liposuction which can destroy all tissues.

· The laser closes blood vessels=less bleeding, less bruising

· The laser tightens skin=less loose skin after liposuction

· Laser liposuction is less traumatic=quicker recovery

· The laser fiber is tiny= smaller scars

· Smaller areas done under local anesthesia

All laser liposuction machines are not equal. You need to understand the importance of the laser wavelength used to melt fat. Most laser liposuction machines on the market today use a 1064nm or 1320nm laser wavelength. Actually the best wavelength which is most highly absorbed by fat is 920nm, a wavelength patented and owned by Palomar™ Medical in Burlington, Massachusetts.

The SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ Liposuction Unit is the first 920nm based laser liposuction and is 3 times as selectively absorbed by fat as the 1064nm lasers and 2 times more than the 1320nm-the other commercially available laser liposuction technology. It is also 5 times as selectively absorbed by blood. This means that the SLIMLIPO™ Aspire™ laser liposuction unit dissolves fat and prevents bleeding much more effectively than any other laser liposuction machine available. See the figure below for comparison of the fat melting selectivity of the various laser liposuction units available today-remember, Palomar’s new SLIMLIPO uses the 920nm laser:

For you the patient this translates into:

· Gentler more thorough fat removal

· Less bleeding, less bruising

· Quicker recovery

We also can blend in a 980nm laser wavelength with the Aspire™ which is highly absorbed by the Dermis-the deep layer of your skin which controls skin tightening. For you this translates into:

· Tighter skin after liposuction

· Less risk of revisional surgery after liposuction

I am proud to say that we helped Palomar™ develop this revolutionary new laser and we are the first to offer SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ laser liposuction unit in Massachusetts and the Boston area and one of the first practices in the world to have this machine.

If you are considering laser liposuction you really need to know the facts and understand the technology. Once you do the advantages of SLIMLIPO™ with the Aspire™ system are obvious-there is nothing else like it on the market.

For more information on laser liposuction or plastic surgery in general call 978-369-4499 or visit my website.Be sure to sign up for my free email newsletter for information on the latest advances in plastic surgery and non-surgical rejuvenation procedures.

Dr. Seckel

Concord, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts