Smartlipo® vs. Tummy Tuck

Many of the patients who consult with Dr. Kevin M. Johnson about getting liposuction at our Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, office ask whether liposuction or a tummy tuck would actually yield better results for them. The answer is that it depends. The appropriate treatment is determined by a range of personal factors, including the patient’s specific cosmetic concerns and the condition of the abdominal skin.

To learn more about the differences between the 2 procedures and the benefits of Smartlipo for patients from Spokane, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, and Kennewick, WA, request your complimentary consultation online or call us at (208) 676-8346.

Choosing the Correct Procedure

It’s always a good idea to consider alternative treatments that are best suited to your individual needs and cosmetic goals. At Advanced Aesthetics, Dr. Johnson recommends the most appropriate procedure based on his extensive experience and training.

Not all patients will benefit from liposuction alone. For instance, a woman who has had multiple children, whose abdominal muscles need to be tightened, and whose skin has become stretched and redundant probably is best suited for a tummy tuck. But Smartlipo laser liposuction is often an excellent option for someone with good muscle tone, with some skin laxity and stretch marks, and who has some stubborn belly fat. Dr. Johnson is a specialist in Smartlipo, and patients from Kennwick, Wenatchee, Moses Lake, and other regional areas visit Advanced Aesthetics for the incredible results that he can create.

Smartlipo vs. Tummy Tuck

Procedure Smartlipo Tummy Tuck
Type of surgery Minimally invasive Invasive
Cosmetic goal Reduce excess fat for a flatter, sculpted stomach Removing excess skin and reducing fat, tightening muscles, and removing stretch marks
Skin tightening Yes Yes
Belly button Preserves umbilicus Requires surgical reconstruction
Anesthesia Local General
Scars Minimal Long, horizontal scar along the lower abdomen
Recovery Time 1 to 2 days (Exercise after 10 days) 7 to 10 days (Exercise after several weeks)
Cost Less expensive More expensive
Results Long-lasting Long-lasting

Can You Get Smartlipo After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

Yes, Smartlipo can be an effective procedure for fine-tuning the results of a tummy tuck or traditional liposuction. It’s important to wait until you are sufficiently healed from your tummy tuck first.

Dr. Kevin Johnson

Dr. Kevin Johnson

Welcome to Advanced Aesthetics. Throughout my years serving the body contouring and facial rejuvenation needs of people in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, I’ve learned a lot—including how to meet my patients where they are. If you’re like most of our guests, you’re busy, you want to address a specific concern, but you might not know where to begin. We’re ready to help.

Meet Dr. Kevin Johnson

Smartlipo vs. Traditional Liposuction

Liposuction isn’t only for the abdominal area. It can treat virtually any area of the body where pockets of fat create unsightly bulges. That may be the thighs, buttocks, neck, or the back. But Smartlipo offers advantages when compared to the traditional liposuction procedure:

  • Skin tightening: The laser energy emitted by the system’s tiny cannula triggers the growth of new collagen as part of the healing process. Collagen is a vital component of toned, youthful-looking skin.
  • Gentler: Dissolving fat with the laser creates less trauma than traditional liposuction, which requires manually breaking fat apart.
  • Less downtime: Because Smartlipo doesn’t cause as much trauma to surrounding tissue, some patients require as little as 24 hours to recover, although experiences vary.

Patients with additional questions about Smartlipo can visit our Liposuction page.

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