SmartLipo is a revolutionary and minimally invasive body sculpting procedure that uses a high-powered laser to remove fat while tightening the skin.  The SmartLipo procedure does not require general anesthesia; the procedure is performed under local anesthesia.  A small, 2 mm circular incision is made, and the laser goes under the skin to liquefy the fat cells while also sealing the tiny blood vessels around the fat and stimulating new collagen production, which tightens the skin.  After the fat is liquefied, it is removed with power-assisted suction.  The combined effects of the laser achieve in smoother results, less bruising and bleeding, less downtime and fewer side effects than traditional liposuction.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Questions
Benefits of SmartLipo
Safety
Choosing the Right Provider
Alternatives to SmartLipo
What To Do Before & After
Privacy Considerations
Cost and Financing

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Who can benefit from SmartLipo?
SmartLipo can benefit nearly anyone of almost any size.  The procedure is best suited for healthy people who have good eating and exercise habits or plan to improve them with a little motivation and support.  Realistic expectations are also important, and we can provide you with these during our free consultation and evaluation.  Certain health conditions require additional screening, such as an EKG or medical clearance from your primary care physician, before we can recommend SmartLipo.

How long does the SmartLipo procedure take?
Depending on the patient and the areas being treated, the Smart Lipo procedure normally takes between three and five hours.

Will I be put under general anesthesia?
No.  SmartLipo is performed with local anesthesia.

Has SmartLipo been approved by the FDA?
Yes.  The FDA approved SmartLipo in November 2006, and we have been performing it in our office since June 2007.  SmartLipo has been performed in Europe for several years and underwent testing in the United States for over a year before the FDA approved it.  We are one of the most experienced SmartLipo providers in the country, have had a very high success rate and have received no reports of serious complications.

What type of equipment is used?
There are several different models of laser lypolysis available on the market, which have minor variations in [wattage, safety and effectiveness.  We use SmartLipo technology by Cynosure, which we determined to be the best choice available.

BENEFITS OF SMARTLIPO

What can SmartLipo do for me?
SmartLipo can provide you with the confidence you need to get back into that bathing suit for the summer, get you down a size or two to motivate you to get back to the gym, or just improve the way you look in clothes by sculpting out those pockets of fat that won’t go away through regular diet and exercise.  Most women can expect to lose one or two dress sizes as a result of the procedure; most men can expect to lose one to two pants sizes.  Individual results will depend upon your unique circumstances, which we will discuss during your free consultation.

How soon can I expect to see results from SmartLipo?
You will be wearing a compression garment for the two weeks immediately after the procedure, but most people will see results as soon as they remove the compression garment.  Results will continue to improve over the next six months, and should be easily identifiable at your six-week follow-up appointment. 

How long will the results last?
With SmartLipo, fat cells are permanently destroyed and removed.  For patients that maintain a healthy lifestyle and do not gain excessive amounts of weight, the results will be permanent.

What happens to stretched-out skin once the fat is removed?
One of the major advantages of SmartLipo over traditional liposuction is that the SmartLipo lasers actually tighten the skin, whereas traditional liposuction does not.  The SmartLipo lasers stimulate new collagen production, tightening the skin while liquefying the fat.  In some cases, the SmartLipo procedure may actually improve the appearance of already sagging skin.   

We also offer a non-invasive procedure, called Thermage, which tightens the skin and stimulates the growth of healthier collagen.  As an incision-free procedure, Thermage is fast, easy, and requires virtually no downtime.  FDA-approved, Thermage is safe for tightening all skin types and body parts including face, tummy and legs.  We frequently use Thermage and SmartLipo together to achieve truly wonderful results.  Click here to read more about Thermage.

Can SmartLipo be combined with other procedures?
Yes!  Our most popular combination is SmartLipo in conjunction with Thermage, a procedure that tightens the skin and stimulates the growth of healthier skin.  This combination is particularly effective for patients with some existing loose skin who are also looking to sculpt their curves with SmartLipo.  We frequently use Thermage and SmartLipo together to achieve truly wonderful results.  Click here to read more about Thermage. SmartLipo can also be combined with other procedures, such as TotalFX and Fat Transfers.

SAFETY

Are there any special concerns for patients with darker skin?
SmartLipo is safe for all skin types. Any patient that has a history of keloid scarring or discoloration when they heal may experience this with the incisions, but they are only small circles approximately 2mm in diameter.  In the rare case where this occurs, certain creams may be prescribed to return the small circles in the skin to the normal skin color.

Does SmartLipo cause any bruising or swelling?
Another great benefit of SmartLipo is that the lasers seal the tiny blood vessels around the fat while they liquefy the fat, which eliminates bruising in most patients and keeps the swelling to a minimum.  In our experience, most patients are able to disguise the fact that they have had this minimally-invasive procedure done.  There will be some swelling for the first two weeks, but this is disguised by the compression garment you will wear, which is designed to be hidden under your clothes.

Does SmartLipo cause any scarring?
SmartLipo, for most people, does not result in any noticeable scarring.  The circular incisions for this minimally-invasive procedure are only 2 millimeters in diameter and placed as discreetly as possible.  The incisions do not even require a stitch and heal very quickly on their own and do not leave a noticeable mark.  (The incisions for traditional liposuction are much larger, require stitches, and often result in scarring.)  Review our before and after gallery to see how the incisions appear.  Any patient that has a history of keloid scarring or discoloration when they heal may experience this with the incisions, but they are only small circles approximately 2mm in diameter.  In the rare case where scarring or discoloration occurs, certain creams may be prescribed to return the small circles in the skin to the normal skin color.

What are the potential risks of SmartLipo?
Any surgery may involve risks of more serious and unexpected problems. Although rare, examples of such complications could include blood clots, excessive bleeding, scarring, infection, seroma (temporary accumulation of fluid under the skin), injury to other tissues, allergic or toxic reactions to drugs, and death.  (To our knowledge, there have been no documented cases of death resulting from SmartLipo.)  Lidocaine toxicity, also rare, may occur as a complication of liposuction surgery.  This may result in seizures, respiratory depression, and cardiac effects, and may require hospitalization for treatment.  Since patients are not under general anesthesia, however, the risks are minimal, especially when compared to other methods of liposuction.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROVIDER

What should I look for in a SmartLipo provider?
You should seek an experienced provider with a good track record who is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.  Like most cosmetic procedures, SmartLipo involves a high degree of artistry and skill. 

Finding a provider with experience and a track record is difficult. SmartLipo has only been available to physicians in the United States for a short period of time.  Dr. Clinton was the first physician in the Eastern Carolinas to perform SmartLipo and among the first on the East Coast.  He is one of the most experienced SmartLipo providers in the country and can provide realistic expectations based on your shape, size and personal goals.

You should also look for a provider who is a member of good standing in prestigious aesthetic medicine societies, such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) or the American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS).  Dr. Clinton is a member of both organizations, and has even demonstrated laser liposuction techniques at a training session sponsored by the AACS, at their request.

For evaluating a provider’s skill and artistic ability, there is no substitute for a solid “before-and-after” gallery with positive patient testimonials.  Click here to view the Coressence B&A Gallery.

Does SmartLipo require special training?
Providers that purchase the SmartLipo machine are only required to do a single day’s training with the manufacturer before performing the procedure.  Today, many clinics that perform SmartLipo are not particularly familiar with laser techniques. Dr. Clinton, however, sought out the most renowned providers of SmartLipo to master the techniques that make our procedures so successful today.  This includes Dr. Bruce Katz, and Drs. Marco Pelosi Jr. and Sr.  Although SmartLipo was FDA approved in November 2006, Dr. Clinton trained until May 2007 before he began performing the procedure on patients in our facility.

Why should I choose Coressence over another provider?
Experience and an excellent track record should be high on your list when finding the right provider.  According to the manufacturer, Dr. Clinton has now performed more SmartLipo procedures than any other provider in the country.  Like most cosmetic procedures, there is also a high degree of skill and artistry that sets apart an excellent provider from an average one.  Dr. Clinton takes great pride in taking his time to achieve natural-looking results for each of his patients that reflect the aesthetic desires of each patient.  The testimonials and “before-and-after” pictures of his actual patients bear this out.  It is also important that your SmartLipo provider be able to give realistic expectations regarding what can and cannot be achieved through SmartLipo. Clients at Coressence can feel comfortable that they will know what to expect, and will rarely be disappointed with their results.

What kind of training does Dr. Clinton have?
In addition to the mandatory training provided by the manufacturers of SmartLipo, Dr. Clinton sought out the most renowned providers of SmartLipo, including Dr. Bruce Katz, and Drs. Marco Pelosi, Jr. and Sr., to master the techniques that make our procedures so successful today.  Although SmartLipo was FDA approved in November 2006, Dr. Clinton trained until May 2007 before he began performing the procedure on patients in our facility. 

The best teacher of all is experience, however, and Dr. Clinton has performed more than 350 SmartLipo procedures to date.  According to the manufacturer, Dr. Clinton has performed more SmartLipo procedures than any other provider in the entire country, bar none.

How many SmartLipo procedures has Dr. Clinton performed?
Dr. Clinton has performed over 350 cases to date.  He was among the first physicians to offer SmartLipo on the East Coast, and to our knowledge, continues to perform more cases than any other physician in the area.

 

ALTERNATIVES TO SMARTLIPO

What are the alternatives to SmartLipo?
There are other methods for removing fat of varying effectiveness.  Mesotherapy or Lipodissolve help to remove small localized fat deposits, but do not make a significant change to a person’s size.  Conventional liposuction will produce similar results in size but leave clients with loose skin, carries significant health risks, and involves much more downtime.  For people with extreme amounts of loose skin who are looking for tightening and fat loss, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) may be an option.  Abdominoplasty can be the optimal course of action for those women who have experienced torn or significantly loosened abdominal muscles as a result of pregnancy.  To develop an individualized plan that is designed to address your unique circumstances and goals, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Clinton and our staff.  If the best treatment for you is something that we do not perform at Coressence (e.g., abdominoplasty), we can often recommend a talented physician to give you the treatment we need.  We are very selective in our recommendations, so you can be assured that we will only send you to those physicians whom we believe to match our high standards for excellence and quality of care.

How does SmartLipo compare to conventional liposuction?
One of the major advantages of SmartLipo over traditional liposuction is that the SmartLipo lasers actually tighten the skin, whereas traditional liposuction does not. With SmartLipo, patients can achieve smoother results than traditional liposuction with less downtime and fewer side effects. The SmartLipo procedure does not require general anesthesia; the procedure is performed under local anesthesia. After the fat is liquefied, it is removed with power-assisted suction. The combined effects of the laser result in smoother results, less bruising and bleeding, less downtime and fewer side effects than traditional liposuction.  The incisions do not even require a stitch and then heal very quickly on their own. The incisions for traditional liposuction are much larger, require stitches, and often result in scarring. SmartLipo patients generally stay home from work for two days after the procedure whereas traditional liposuction requires at least a full week away from work and three to eleven weeks of additional downtime. Unlike conventional liposuction, SmartLipo patients can engage in certain physical activity immediately.

One of the major advantages of SmartLipo over traditional liposuction is that the SmartLipo lasers actually tighten the skin, whereas traditional liposuction does not.  In some cases, the SmartLipo procedure may actually improve the appearance of sagging skin.  We also offer a non-invasive procedure, called Thermage, which tightens the skin and stimulates the growth of healthier collagen.  As an incision-free procedure, Thermage is fast, easy, and requires virtually no downtime.  FDA-approved, Thermage is safe for tightening all skin types and body parts including face, tummy and legs.  We frequently use Thermage and SmartLipo together to achieve truly wonderful results.  Click here to read more about Thermage.

How does SmartLipo compare to Cool Lipo?
SmartLipo has been FDA approved since November 2006, Cool Lipo only approved January 2008, has yet to prove as successful as SmartLipo.  The Cool Lipo laser uses a 15 watt laser whereas SmartLipo provides up to 18 watts.  Clients can expect a similar technology from Cool Lipo but will find very few physicians that have performed more than a handful of cases, making it difficult to determine accurately how successful they are.  Dr. Clinton is one of the most experienced SmartLipo providers in the country and has had tremendous success.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE AND AFTER

How do I begin the process to get SmartLipo?
Contact us!  You can call us at (910) 321-0079 or click here to reach us via our website.  We will conduct a consultation with you and will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you.  By the end of the consultation, we will develop a specific price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.

Many of our patients travel a long distance to visit us or are unable to find time in their busy schedules to come in for a face-to-face consultation. We are happy to accommodate these situations by conducting the majority of your consultation by phone and e-mail.  It is particularly helpful if you can send us photographs of the area(s) you wish to treat.  We will then conduct an abbreviated in-person consultation the day of your procedure to address any issues or concerns that we were not able to address prior.

What should I do in preparation for the SmartLipo procedure?
SmartLipo requires little preparation. All patients will be required to have blood work performed. Patients over age 45 are also required to have an EKG. We will provide you with a pre-care booklet that lists certain medications you should discuss with your healthcare provider.  If you have certain health issues, we will require clearance from your primary care physician before moving ahead with the procedure.  We recommend stopping or cutting back on smoking, alcohol consumption, and certain vitamins and diet pills that will increase your chances of bleeding.  We don’t recommend that clients crash diet or loose significant amounts of weight prior to surgery.

What should I do after the SmartLipo procedure?
Patients will be provided with post-care instructions to refer to following surgery.  The most important post-procedure requirements include walking (or other preferred method) three to four miles a day to flush the lymphatic system, wearing the compression garment for two weeks, and continuing to avoid medications that can increase chances of bruising and hinder the healing process.  Most patients can return to work two days after the procedure.

What do you recommend for patients traveling from out of town?
We have many patients who travel from out of town. We are happy to assist you in making hotel and travel arrangements.  We also work with an excellent car service, and are happy to schedule door-to-door service for you upon request, and at your expense.  We strongly recommend that clients have someone with them if they are staying the night, although this is not absolutely necessary.  Clients will be provided Dr. Clinton’s cell and home phone numbers if any issues should arise.

When can I return to work?
SmartLipo patients generally stay home from work for two days after the procedure, whereas traditional liposuction requires at least a full week away from work and three to eleven weeks of additional downtime.  SmartLipo patients can engage in certain physical activity immediately.  We require our SmartLipo patients to walk two miles the day of the procedure, and three to four miles a day for the next two weeks.  Wearing a compression garment and engaging in this physical activity for the first two weeks after the procedure significantly aids the healing process.

PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS

What do I do if I don’t want anyone to know I’ve had the procedure done?
Confidentiality is very important at Coressence, and we have several policies and procedures in place to protect your privacy.  In our experience, most patients are able to disguise the fact that they have had the procedure done.  Many of our patients are military men who are particularly concerned about protecting their privacy.  SmartLipo is a minimally-invasive procedure, but there will be some swelling for the first two weeks.  The swelling is disguised by the compression garment you will wear for those two weeks, which is designed to be hidden under your clothes.    Also, the 2 mm circular incisions are placed as discreetly as possible, so they often are not ever seen.  Even if noticed, they are not the type of mark that would generally clue someone in that they are related to a surgical procedure.  For those patients whose incisions do not fade on their own, we can provide creams that will usually cause the small incisions to disappear completely within a few months.  If you look closely at certain of the pictures in our B&A Gallery, you will be able to see just how small and unobtrusive the incisions can be.  Click here to view the B&A Gallery.

Do you keep my information confidential?
Coressence keeps your personal health information safe. Coressence will not publish or otherwise make generally available any information or data that identifies a patient for purposes other than treatment, payment, or other health care operations, without his or her express written consent. All clients are asked when signing there consent if we may use there photographs for teaching, marketing, publication, or scientific purposes.  This does not restrict the internal use of such information or data that is required in the performance of the scope of work that Coressence has been engaged to perform for a client.  Coressence also maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect individually identifiable health information. Coressence is always making ongoing improvements to maintain and enhance our level of security for individually identifiable health information.

COST & FINANCING

Is SmartLipo covered by insurance?
SmartLipo is considered a cosmetic procedure and under most circumstances will not be covered by your health insurance.

What is the cost of SmartLipo?
The cost of SmartLipo ranges from $3,500 to 7,500 per area and we have several financing options available.  We frequently run specials and offer discounts when more than one area is purchased at a time.  During your free consultation we will discuss your current situation, your goals and expectations, and develop an individualized plan designed to achieve optimal results for you. By the end of the consultation, we will develop a price quote, and we can apply for any financing options that you may be qualified for while you wait.

What financing options are available?
We have several financing options available to accommodate a broad range of incomes and credit histories.  Qualified applicants may be eligible to receive 0% financing, or to pay as low as $166 per month for a $7,500 procedure.  We will discuss financing options during your free consultation, which you can schedule by calling us directly at (910) 321-0079 or by clicking here.