Laser Liposuction

Cosmetic Surgery
Body Surgery
Laser Liposuction

Medically Reviewed April 2023, by Mr. Bryan Mayou (GMC: 1414396) - founder of the Cadogan Clinic and one of the world's leading plastic surgeons

What is Laser Liposuction?

Smart lipo MPX, or laser liposuction, is an innovative liposuction technique for the removal of unwanted body fat from areas in your body that do not respond well to diet and exercise alone.

Laser technology is used to rupture the fat cells, melting them down therefore allowing the cells to drain away more easily. After liquifying the fat, the surgeon will insert a tiny tube called a cannula which will suck out the melted fat. Laser liposuction also stimulates the production of collagen, which will leave the skin firmer or tighter following the procedure.

The overall effect is to eliminate the stubborn pockets of fat, whilst rejuvenating the appearance of the skin over the treated area and making it appear smoother and tighter after the fat has been removed.

Laser lipo is a minimally invasive, but highly effective, way of ridding the body of hard-to-lose fat. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and requires minimal downtime. You can expect to see the results of smart liposuction immediately.

However laser lipo is not a weight loss treatment. If you are excessively overweight, then laser liposuction is probably not a suitable treatment for you. The treatment is meant to remove small areas of excess fat. Laser lipo patients should be healthy and near their ideal weight.

You should avoid smart liposuction if you have cancer, blood clots, Type 2 diabetes, liver disease, any heart condition, a pacemaker, MS, a vascular condition or any abnormal tissue growth. Do not undergo laser liposuction if you have recently undergone surgery or take anticoagulants or medications that make you light-sensitive.

Laser lipo should also be avoided if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or experiencing a heavy period.

If you have any of the above conditions, speak to your consultant to find out what alternative treatments are available.

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Laser Liposuction At a glance

Surgery Time

1+ hours

Time off work

A few days up to 1 week (if needed)

Hospital Stay

Day Case

Shower

Shower after 1 day

Reasonable Mobility

Immediately

Exercise

1 - 2 weeks

Bras & Garments

Sports bra worn for 6 - 8 weeks

Sexual Activity

Restricted activity after 1 - 2 weeks

Sleeping on back

Sleeping on back recommended for 2 weeks

Full Recovery

2 weeks

Driving

A few days

Why do people have it?

Benefits of using a laser to break down the fat cells (versus the manual action involved in traditional liposuction) include:

Local anaesthetic, no general anaesthetic required
Less invasive procedure
No downtime & quicker recovery
Smaller incision and less scarring
Less bruising and swelling
Collagen produced to tighten the skin

Who is suitable?

Cadogan Clinic considers individuals fit for the procedure, if all of the following are true of them:

You are in good psychological and physical medical health
You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations of what can be achieved via laser liposuction
You are seeking to improve the contours of your body
You are seeking to rejuvenate the appearance of your overlying skin
You are looking for longer lasting results
You are looking to avoid invasive liposuction surgery / having a general anaesthetic

Words from our clients:

"I was extremely satisfied with the care and treatment I received at the Cadogan Clinic. My surgeon was friendly and informative and explained the procedure fully. My procedure went very well and with the excellent care of the nursing staff, I made a speedy and full recovery. Would recommend to anyone."

Eva Berry

"At the beginning before the operation the nurse taking care of me made me feel so comfortable. The surgeon and anesthetist helped me feel so calm. Fantastic before and after treatment"

Scarlett Elliott

"The girls on the reception at the clinic were very pleasant and professional. The nurse who took out my stitches after my surgery was just lovely and took me through step by step what she was doing and she also recommended a great cream to use to help with healing."

Georgina Nolan

“I was treated with care and provided with thorough knowledge about the procedure I was undertaking. My surgeon was very methodical (a perfectionist) and I felt I received A class treatment."

Courtney O'Sullivan

"Outstanding experience from the first appointment to being discharged. Very professional, friendly and a fantastic outcome."

Gemma Stevenson

"Reception staff very welcoming and efficient. Both nurses who I dealt with were fantastic, and the whole team (anaesthetist, surgeon etc) were friendly but professional, and really put my mind at ease. That I was able to stay later than I perhaps needed after my surgery to fit in with my husbands schedule was greatly appreciated."

Emma Davies

The cost of Laser Liposuction

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What areas can be targeted by Laser Liposuction or SmartLipo?

There are many areas of the body and face which can be successfully treated with laser liposuction. Some areas may need more treatments than others. Sometimes several areas can be treated in one laser lipo session. Here are the most popular areas of the body which can be treated, and how smart liposuction can help address common concerns.

Face & Neck

Laser lipo removes fatty deposits from the face as well as tightening areas of skin which have become lax with age.

Neck - This procedures also defines the contours and tightens the skin, also helping to turn back the clock on the aging process.
Cheeks - Targets ‘chubby cheeks’ and restores a more defined profile.
Chin - Removes a double chin. This is often combined with laser lipo on the neck for a more dramatic effect.

Body

Laser lipo is a popular method of removing stubborn fat around the body:

Back - Targets problem areas such as the lower back and stubborn bra fat.
Stomach - Laser lipo is a popular method of removing stubborn and obvious belly fat.
Mons pubis - Removes the stubborn mound of fatty tissue that sits over the pelvic bone. This is a common complaint in men and women.
Buttocks - Improves the shape and size of the buttocks.
Upper arms - Flabby upper arms, often referred to as ‘bingo wings’, can be successfully treated with laser lipo, which acts to tighten up the skin

Breasts

Reduces the size of the breasts while simultaneously lifting them. Laser lipo is also used to tackle the problem of ‘man boobs’.

Hips, Knees & Thighs

Excess fat around the hips and abdomen can lead to ‘love handles’, which hang outwards from the hips. Laser lipo eliminates fat from this problem area.

Laser liposuction will also result in thinner, more sculpted, thighs, and can be used to remove fatty deposits at the inner knee.

Laser Liposuction Surgeons

We have invited a selection of the country's very best consultants to join us at the Cadogan Clinic so that you can be sure that whatever the nature of your treatment, you will be seeing one of the top practitioners in the country.

Our Surgeons

Mr. Ayham Al-Ayoubi

Facial Plastic and Laser Surgeon

The Patient Journey. A breakdown of what you can expect on your journey with us

We are deeply invested in ensuring that every step of your surgical journey with us is as informative and reassuring to you as it can be. This article outlines what you can expect at each stage of the journey

The Patient Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

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What happens during laser liposuction treatment?

First, the treated area is marked up and a small incision (1-2 mm) is made with a micro-scalpel and the local anaesthetic is injected.

The optical fibre of the laser is inserted with its progress through the skin tissue clearly observed from the surface by the light on the laser.

Treatment involves tracing the marked-up lines on the surface of the skin with the laser underneath, in a regular, metronomic lengthways movement. The laser breaks down the fatty tissue via thermal energy and mechanical movement and transforms the fat cells into an oily emulsion that can be suctioned out easily.

There are no stitches, only very small incision sites that heal quickly in a few days. The treatment takes about 1-2 hours depending on the number of treated areas. Given the minimal trauma involved in the treatment, recovery is much quicker than with traditional alternatives, and you can be back to daily life the very next day.

How long does laser liposuction take?

The length of Laser liposuction treatment depends on the number of areas being targeted. Surgery time can range from 1 hour to 3 hours.

When will I start to see results from laser liposuction?

Most patients can see instant results following the SmartLipo procedure, however, it is important to remember that there will be some swelling after surgery. Once this subsides your full results will be visible – this should take between one to two months maximum.

Are my laser liposuction results permanent?

Laser liposuction results can be seen a week after the procedure, with the full results visible four to six months post-surgery.

The results of laser lipo are permanent, as the treatment ‘deactivates’ the fat cells, leaving them unable to store fat anymore. You will be able to sustain the results providing a healthy diet, lifestyle and weight are maintained following surgery. Further laser liposuction can be carried out on problem areas if required.

Is there any downtime after laser liposuction treatment?

Downtime is very limited. The patient is free to leave the Clinic after several hours, and should immediately resume reasonable mobility. Exercise should be limited for a maximum of two weeks, with a return to work possible the very next day.

What is the difference between SmartLipo and Vaser Lipo?

Smart lipo uses a laser to melt down the fat, making it easier to remove from the body. Vaser lipo uses ultrasound to break down the fat cells from the surrounding tissue.

Vaser liposuction claims to be quicker, more effective and less painful than other techniques. However, Vaser also has the potential for far more complications. This technique often produces lumpy results and even occasional burns. Often this means that further treatment is needed to correct the damage. We do not recommend Vaser and do not offer this type of liposuction at the Cadogan Clinic.

A state of the art, award winning clinic.

Founded in 2004 by world renowned plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, we now work with over 100 leading consultants and successfully treat over 20,000 patients each year. We have been winning industry awards since inception.

About Us

Best in Class Facilities

All of our treatments take place at our beautiful boutique premises in Chelsea. We have six consulting rooms and five operating rooms, as well as a dedicated pre and post-operative suite, and a full team of specialist nursing staff.

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A Strong Tradition of Innovation

We were founded in 2004 by world renown plastic surgeon Mr Bryan Mayou, best known for his pioneering work in the area of liposuction, lasers and microvascular surgery. We continue to collaborate with pioneers in our field.

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At Home in Sloane Street, London

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We offer surgical consultations in London, Birmingham, Chelmsford and Bristol, and attract international patients from all corners of the globe such as as the USA, the Middle East and Europe.

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