Laser Lipo in San Diego
AT DERMACARE MEDICAL AESTHETICS
Laser Lipo, also called SmartLipo or laser-assisted liposuction, uses a laser to liquefy stubborn fat before removing it through a few small incisions. Unlike traditional liposuction, the laser also tightens the skin above the treated area as it works, so you get a smoother contour instead of just less fat.
At Dermacare Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Jeff Birchall performs Laser Lipo using the SmartLipo Triplex system at our San Diego, Mission Valley, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and San Juan Capistrano locations. The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you stay awake throughout, and most patients return to light activity within 48 hours.
Laser Lipo works well for the fat that diet and exercise won’t touch, the stubborn pockets that stick around no matter how consistent you are. It’s not a weight loss treatment. It’s a contouring one, built for people who are already close to their goal weight and want to finish the job in specific spots.
Candidates for Laser Liposuction
You’re likely a good candidate if you:
- Are within about 30% of your ideal weight
- Have pinchable fat in the area you want treated
- Have skin with reasonable elasticity, since the skin needs to contour to its new shape
- Understand that Laser Lipo sculpts, it doesn’t replace significant weight loss
Every patient meets with Dr. Birchall in person before treatment to confirm candidacy and build a plan around their specific goals.
Like all medical procedures, Laser Lipo has a few contraindications that may exclude you from having the procedure. Below are the individuals who cannot undergo the treatment:
- Currently pregnant or nursing women
- Patients under the age of 18
- Patients with a pacemaker or implanted electrical medical device
- Patients with a history of epilepsy
- Patients with extreme cases of diabetes
- Patients with severe thyroid, liver, heart disorders or cancer
- Patients with lymphatic disorders
If these factors form a part of your medical history, talk to Dr. Birchall about whether you can have Laser Lipo or if there are possible alternatives to achieve a similar result.
How Laser Liposuction Works
Laser Lipo removes fat from targeted areas using a laser fiber inserted through a tiny incision. The laser liquefies the fat so it can be removed with a small suction device, and it seals small blood vessels as it goes, which is why bruising and swelling are typically less than with traditional liposuction.
Most laser liposuction systems run on a 1064nm or 1320nm wavelength. Dermacare’s SmartLipo Triplex is built to be five times more selectively absorbed by fat, and five times more selectively absorbed by blood, than older single-wavelength systems. In practice, that means more consistent results in the same amount of treatment time.
Because the fiber optic tip is so small, Laser Lipo can reach areas that are harder to treat with traditional liposuction, including the chin, upper arms, and inner thighs.
What Happens During the Procedure
On the day of your treatment, Dr. Birchall marks the treatment area and takes before photos. You may be offered a mild sedative if you’d like one. After the area is numbed, a small incision is made and two thin tubes are used in sequence: the first delivers a dilute anesthetic fluid through the area, and the second carries the laser that liquefies the fat. The melted fat is then removed with a medical suction device.
Laser Liposuction Recovery
Recovery from Laser Lipo is meaningfully shorter than traditional liposuction. Most procedures take one to three hours, and you’ll go home the same day. Expect some bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort for the first few days, and you’ll likely wear a compression garment for a short period to help with that.
Most patients are back to work within two days and can resume strenuous exercise after one to two weeks. Recovery timelines vary by patient and treatment area, so follow Dr. Birchall’s specific post-op guidance for your case rather than a generic timeline.
Laser Lipo carries the same general risks as any body contouring procedure, including infection, bleeding, swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Irregular skin contour or pigmentation changes are possible but rare. Serious complications like blood clots are rare as well, and staying in close contact with Dr. Birchall through your recovery is the best way to catch and address anything early.
Laser Liposuction Results
You’ll notice some improvement almost right away, though swelling will mask the full effect at first. Final results typically show at four to six weeks, once swelling has fully resolved.
Laser Lipo isn’t designed for dramatic weight loss, and Dr. Birchall will be upfront about what’s realistic for your body and goals during your consultation. Fat removal limits per session are set for safety, not preference. Once fat cells are removed, the results are permanent as long as you maintain a stable weight.
The Cost of Laser Lipo
Laser Lipo is priced by treatment plan rather than a flat rate, since cost depends on how many areas you’re treating and their size. A single area like the chin costs less than a multi-area plan covering the abdomen and flanks. The only way to get an accurate number for your situation is a consultation with Dr. Birchall, where you’ll get a written quote before deciding on anything.
Dermacare offers financing options so you can spread the cost of treatment over time. Consultations are available at all five of our San Diego area locations.
Laser Lipo vs. Traditional Liposuction
| Factor | Laser Lipo (SmartLipo) | Traditional Liposuction |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Local anesthesia only. You stay awake during treatment | Often general anesthesia |
| Skin tightening | Yes. The laser tightens skin as it removes fat | Not addressed |
| Incision size | Smaller, less scarring | Larger entry points |
| Bruising/swelling | Reduced. Laser coagulates small vessels | More pronounced |
| Recovery | Back to light activity in ~48 hours | Longer downtime |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laser Lipo the same as SmartLipo?
Yes. SmartLipo Triplex is the specific laser system Dermacare uses to perform Laser Lipo. Laser Lipo, laser-assisted liposuction, and SmartLipo all refer to the same category of treatment. They may vary slightly by device manufacturer, but the underlying approach, laser plus suction, is the same.
What areas can Laser Lipo treat?
Common areas include the chin, upper arms, abdomen, flanks, and inner thighs. Because the fiber optic tip is small, Laser Lipo can reach spots that are harder to treat with traditional liposuction cannulas.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients complete their treatment plan in a single session per area, though your specific plan depends on how much fat you’re looking to remove and Dr. Birchall’s assessment of your candidacy. He’ll lay out a session plan during your consultation.
Is Laser Lipo permanent?
Yes. The fat cells removed during Laser Lipo don’t come back. Results are permanent as long as you maintain your weight afterward. Weight gain can still affect the remaining fat cells in treated and untreated areas.
Will Laser Lipo change my clothing size?
Most patients do end up in smaller clothing sizes after Laser Lipo, though this depends on how much fat is removed and how your body carries fat overall. Some patients see a noticeable size change, others see a more toned, contoured look without needing an entirely new wardrobe.
Does Laser Lipo actually work?
Yes. Laser Lipo physically removes fat cells from the treated area, they don’t grow back, and the skin-tightening effect happens at the same time as the fat removal. The result isn’t hypothetical or gradual the way some non-invasive treatments are: once the fat is suctioned out, it’s gone. What varies is how dramatic the change looks, which depends on how much fat is removed and your skin’s elasticity going in.
Is Laser Lipo safe? Can it damage organs?
Laser Lipo has a strong safety profile when performed by an experienced provider. It’s done under local anesthesia only, which removes the risks that come with general anesthesia, and the laser is used specifically to target subcutaneous fat, the layer just beneath the skin, not areas near internal organs. Dr. Birchall evaluates every patient’s candidacy in person before treatment specifically to screen out anyone for whom the procedure wouldn’t be safe.
How does Laser Lipo compare to CoolSculpting?
The main difference is how each treatment works and what kind of results you get. CoolSculpting is non-invasive and uses cold temperatures to gradually reduce fat cells over several weeks, with no incisions and no downtime. Laser Lipo is minimally invasive, removes fat directly during the procedure, and tightens skin at the same time, so results show up faster and tend to be more dramatic for larger areas. Dermacare offers both, and which one is right for you depends on how much fat you want removed and how much downtime you’re comfortable with.
Contact Dermacare Medical Aesthetics
Dr. Jeff Birchall and the Dermacare team perform Laser Lipo at five San Diego area locations: San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), Mission Valley, Carlsbad, Encinitas, and San Juan Capistrano. Call or text your nearest location to schedule a consultation and get a personalized treatment plan and quote.
Contact Dermacare Medical Aesthetics Today!
Our body shaping specialists can help you create a custom treatment plan designed to meet your body sculpting goals. To learn more about laser liposuction at Dermacare Medical Aesthetics, please call or text us at any of our 5 locations:
Call any of our 5 locations
San Juan Capistrano
Call or text at 949-420-9881
San Diego, CA 92128
Carlsbad, CA 92009
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Encinitas, CA 92024
What Are the Advantages of Laser Liposuction Over Traditional Liposuction?
Laser Lipo gives individuals all the advantages of a traditional liposuction treatment — including a slimmer, more toned body with better contours — while offering them a qualitatively better procedure and recovery. The specific advantages of Laser Lipo also include:
- A more even and smooth result
- Less pain, less bruising, and a faster recovery
- Better skin tightening and less loose skin
- Smaller entry point scars, with less trauma and a quicker recovery
- Less risk to patients since only local, not general, anesthesia is used
Laser Lipo represents the next generation in liposuction technology, with benefits for our clients that improve every aspect of their experience, from the procedures to their recovery and results.
What Is the Process for the Laser Lipo Procedure?
On the day of the procedure, the treatment area is marked, and pictures are taken. In some cases, you could be given a mild sedative to make the experience more comfortable.
After local numbing is done at the predetermined sites, small, concealable incisions are made. A long, narrow tube will be inserted and used through these openings. The first step is to infuse a dilute anesthetic fluid throughout the area of concern.
The second tube is for the laser, which liquefies the fat in the targeted area. Finally, the melted fat is eliminated through a medical suction device.
Will Laser Lipo Help Me Drop Numbers in Clothing Sizes?
Once fat has been removed, and you’ve had some time to recover, you should look and feel slimmer and more toned.
For most clients, this does translate into smaller clothing sizes but depending on how and where your body stores fat, you may experience a substantial new look that does not require a whole new wardrobe.