SmartLipo® (Laser-Assisted Liposuction)
We all have it: that place where stubborn fat deposits seem to hang on despite our best efforts at the gym and an overall healthy diet. If you are looking for a long-lasting solution to isolated fat deposits that requires minimal downtime, Philadelphia board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor offers SmartLipo under local anesthesia for effective results and a quick recovery.
What is SmartLipo?
Smartlipo is a laser-assisted liposuction procedure that is performed under local anesthesia. It is designed to target stubborn body fat in three main body areas where patients complain of fat deposits:
- Stomach/abdomen
- Love handles
- Flabby arms
After treatment, the targeted areas look slimmer and more contoured, giving the patient a better over-all body proportion. Beyond reducing fat deposits effectively, laser-assisted SmartLipo promotes the production of new collagen in the skin—resulting in a 57% increase in tissue tightening over traditional methods of liposuction. This makes SmartLipo a great option for body sculpting to achieve a six-pack, toned arms, and other features as part of your ideal-looking figure.
Dr. R. Brannon Claytor
Dr. Claytor is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and holds over 20 years of experience as a cosmetic plastic surgeon. An innovator and teacher in the field of plastic surgery, he uses advanced techniques like the drain-free tummy tuck and deep plane facelift to streamline recovery and provide natural-looking, durable results.
SmartLipo procedure using PrecisionTX technology
PrecisionTX is a type of SmartLipo that specifically targets the chin and neck area. Using a small cannula tube, about the size of a pen, PrecisionTX is inserted under the skin. A unique SideLaze800™ laser fiber inside the tube emits energy directly under the skin. The precise SideLaze800 laser energy increases the depth and quality of your skin, while simultaneously disrupting selected areas of the face under the chin and neck. This promotes collagen growth and improvement of the texture of your skin.
Am I a candidate for laser lipo surgery?
If diet and exercise are ineffective in eliminating stubborn fat, you may be a candidate for a laser liposuction procedure. Depending on your target area Dr. Claytor may use SmartLipo or PrecisionTX. Candidates for SmartLipo are men and women whose stubborn fat will not go away from dieting and exercise alone. Ideal candidates are not significantly overweight but have common signs of aging around the lower face and neck. Both laser liposuction procedures are effective and affordable solutions for improving your appearance, and Dr. Claytor performs both procedures in our surgical facility.
The best way to learn if a procedure is a good fit for you based on your health and aesthetic goals is to schedule an in-depth consultation will Dr. Claytor. During this conversation, in which he takes his time to listen and learn about your goals, you will be able to determine if a laser liposuction procedure is right for you.
“I had a SmartLipo Revision on May 30, 2018, 6 months after my first procedure back in November. I felt like I needed additional fat taken out of my flanks and Dr. Claytor agreed and worked with me so I can achieve the results I needed. It’s been a week and I am already thrilled with my results. He is truly one of the kindest doctors I have dealt with, easy to talk to and his staff is equally as kind as him. I highly recommend this practice, please feel free to message me if you have questions.”
How is laser lipolysis performed?
SmartLipo or PrecisionTX are both performed in our office (we are located on the Main Line of Philadelphia). Patients are able to talk to Dr. Claytor during the procedure because they will be awake.
On average, the SmartLipo procedure takes about an hour. First, patients receive a local anesthetic to numb the treatment areas so there is little discomfort during the SmartLipo procedure. Then, Dr. Claytor will need to make a number of small incisions to insert the cannula. There may be some slight pressure or a warming sensation in and around the target areas.
After treatment and continuous care, your scars will fade over time. This will depend on the size of the treatment areas.
*Individual results may vary
Recovery & downtime after laser liposuction
There is minimal downtime, and most patients are back to work in a day or two. However, patients should avoid strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks.
While SmartLipo is a minimally invasive procedure, it is still a surgical procedure nonetheless. You should expect some swelling and soreness after surgery. Additionally, there can be some bleeding from the small incision sites during or after the procedure.
SmartLipo results
SmartLipo produces results that are long lasting, since new collagen is formed during the procedure. Only one treatment is necessary to achieve excellent results. However, it is important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen to continue to enjoy your results. Patients can expect to see some immediate results, but the final results won’t appear for about least three months. Unless there are very large areas needing to be treated, one procedure typically provides the desired results.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Two-in-one fat sculpting and skin tightening
- Less trauma to tissues leads to minimal downtime and reduced discomfort
- Highly precise fat sculpting
- Minimal scarring, as surgery is performed through very small incisions
Cannula: A small, tube-like instrument used during liposuction to suction out fat cells from the body.
Laser lipolysis, laser-assisted liposuction, laser liposuction, or laser lipo: The process of using laser energy to liquefy fat cells, making them easier to remove or metabolize.
Tumescent Anesthesia: A type of local anesthesia used in liposuction procedures to numb the targeted area and minimize bleeding.
Liposculpture: A cosmetic procedure that shapes and contours the body through the removal and transfer of fat.
Aspiration: The process of removing liquefied fat cells through suction during liposuction.
Compression Garment: A tight-fitting garment worn by patients post-operatively to minimize swelling and support healing tissues.
Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction (RFAL): A liposuction technique utilizing radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin and enhance the contouring effects of the procedure.
Vaser Liposuction: A liposuction technique that uses ultrasound technology to break down fat cells, offering more precision and less trauma than traditional methods.
Sedation: The use of drugs to relax the patient during the procedure, which can be administered orally, intravenously, or through inhalation.
Incision: A small cut made on the skin to insert the cannula during liposuction.
Downtime: The recovery period post-surgery during which patients need to rest and allow their bodies to heal.
Infiltration Fluid: Fluid, often containing anesthetic and vasoconstrictors, injected into the fatty tissue to facilitate fat removal and minimize blood loss.
Cellulite: The dimpled appearance of the skin caused by fat deposits pushing through the connective tissue beneath the skin.
Sutures: Stitches used to close incisions after the liposuction procedure.
Postoperative Care: Instructions and care that patients need to follow after undergoing liposuction to ensure a smooth recovery process.
Body Contouring: Cosmetic procedures aimed at enhancing the shape and proportions of the body, often involving the removal or transfer of fat.
Adipose Tissue: The body’s loose connective tissue primarily composed of fat cells.
Listen to stories from Dr. Claytor’s SmartLipo Patients
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Where will my SmartLipo procedure be performed?
Dr. Claytor performs SmartLipo here in our well-appointed Bryn Mawr plastic surgery office. View photos of our office below:
Frequently asked questions
Why choose Dr. Claytor for your plastic surgeon?
Double Board-Certified for a high level of safety and precision
Chief of Plastic Surgery at Main Line Health, a top health system
Board Member of The Aesthetic Society, shaping the future of aesthetics
8x Philadelphia Magazine Top Doctor for exceptional patient care
Recognized as one of America’s Best Plastic Surgeons by Newsweek
Drain-free recovery expert for faster, more comfortable healing
Deep plane facelift innovator and global educator
Active researcher in surgical and non-surgical aesthetic advancements
Highly regarded for his surgical expertise and outcomes, as well as his dedicated follow-up care
Philadelphia double board certified plastic surgeon Dr. R. Brannon Claytor has over 20 years of experience offering cosmetic plastic surgery procedures. A member of The Aesthetic Society’s Board of Trustees, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), Dr. Claytor is dedicated to continuously advancing his surgical techniques and teaching his methods to colleagues at national meetings. In addition to his surgical work, Dr. Claytor the Chief of Plastic Surgery for Main Line Health Systems, and is a Clinical Associate Professor at Lankenau Institute of Medical Research.
Schedule a consultation to get startedIf you are interested in SmartLipo at our Bryn Mawr Office and would like to see if you are a good candidate, call (610) 527-4833 to schedule a consultation with our Philadelphia plastic surgery specialist, Dr. Claytor. Our plastic surgery practice serves patients from Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr, the Main Line and surrounding areas.
References »
Bellini E, Grieco MP, Raposio E. A journey through liposuction and liposculture: Review. Annals of Medicine and Surgery. 2017 Nov 6;24:53-60. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2017.10.024.
Yoshida S, Koshima I, Imai H, Roh S, Mese T, Uchiki T, Sasaki A, Nagamatsu S. Effect of Postoperative Compression Therapy on the Success of Liposuction in Patients with Advanced Lower Limb Lymphedema. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2021 Oct 22;10(21):4852. doi: 10.3390/jcm10214852.
Shridharani SM, Broyles JM, Matarasso A. Liposuction devices: technology update. Medical devices (Auckland, NZ). 2014 Jul 21;7:241-51. doi: 10.2147/MDER.S47322.
Wu S, Coombs DM, Gurunian R. Liposuction: Concepts, safety, and techniques in body-contouring surgery. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2020 Jun;87(6):367-375. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19097.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. R. Brannon Claytor — Updated on Apr 3, 2025