SmartLipo and Vaser Liposuction
The combination of the Smartlipo technology and Vaser technology developed by Dr. Hanna and La Nouvelle Center have provided exceptional results. It works without comparison. Dr Hanna worked closely with Dr. Kerr from Idaho on finding the best combinations of the treatments. And now we get much better results than with just Smart Lipo alone. The Smartlipo device did a good job of tightening the skin, but the combination of the two sets a new standard.
This is a gentle procedure that can be done in just a couple of hours. There is minimal pain, a quick recovery time and visible results almost immediately. Approved by the FDA in the fall of 2006, Smartlipo has proven to be one of the safest cosmetic procedures. Complications are extremely rare.
*There's no guarantee of specific results. Results may vary from person to person.
What is my next step, if I'm interested in liposuction procedures?
Dr. Hanna and his staff will be happy to discuss this with you in complete privacy and utmost confidentiality. To schedule a private consultation call Dr. Hanna's office at (805) 351-0843 and talk to his friendly staff. Or you might want to schedule a consultation online.
Tumescent Liposuction
Dr. Hanna studied Liposuction from a Liposuction Pioneer, Dr. Jeffrey Klein and became an experienced specialist in one of the latest techniques, Tumescent Liposuction which permits liposuction totally by local anesthesia! Now Dr. Hanna can place patient safety as his top priority followed by excellent cosmetic surgery results and rapid post-operative return to normal activities. Recently this technique has become the worldwide standard of care for maximizing the safety of liposuction. The advent of tumescent liposuction permitted liposuction to be done totally by local anesthesia with virtually no blood loss.
What is tumescent liposuction?
The word tumescent refers to anything that is swollen and firm. In the tumescent technique for liposuction, a large volume of very dilute solution of local anesthesia (lidocaine and epinephrine) is infiltrated (injected) into the fat beneath the skin, causing the targeted area to become tumescent, in other words, swollen and firm. The local anesthetic lidocaine in the tumescent solution provides such complete local anesthesia, that there is no need for a general anesthesia, or IV sedation. The drug epinephrine (adrenalin) provides profound localized vasoconstriction that it reduced surgical bleeding during tumescent liposuction to a very minimal. Without the risks of general anesthesia and the risks of excessive surgical bleeding, the tumescent technique for liposuction done totally by local anesthesia has significantly reduced the greatest dangers associated with the older forms of liposuction.
FAQs about Smartlipo / Liposuction
What are the benefits of Tumescent Liposuction?
Local anesthesia used in the tumescent technique for liposuction is so effective that patients no longer need intravenous sedatives, narcotic analgesics, or general anesthesia. As a result of the widespread capillary constriction caused by the epinephrine in the anesthetic solution, there is minimal bleeding during and after liposuction. This is a major improvement in the liposuction technique compared to the older methods that simply use general anesthesia.
How much blood is lost during tumescent liposuction?
The tumescent technique is so effective at minimizing blood loss that the majority of patients lose approximately 15 to 30 ml (1 to 2 tablespoons) of blood during large volume liposuction. This is the same volume of blood that is taken for routine pre-operative laboratory studies. In the days before the advent of the tumescent technique, the biggest risk of liposuction was excessive loss of blood during surgery. In fact, many surgeons required their patients to donate their own blood several weeks before surgery, and then during surgery, the blood would be returned to the patient by transfusion. With the advent of the tumescent technique, blood transfusions are no longer a part of liposuction surgery.
How does the tumescent technique reduce bruising after liposuction?
There is dramatically less bruising with liposuction under a local anesthesia compared to other liposuction techniques under general anesthesia. There are two reasons for this significant decrease in bruising. First, because there is so little blood loss with the tumescent technique, there is almost no blood that remains beneath the skin to cause bruising after surgery. The second reason for decreased bruising is that with the tumescent technique there is a considerable amount of post-operative drainage of the blood tinged anesthetic solution. The incisions are so small (about 1.5 mm), the incisions do not require stitches. By allowing these wounds to remain open for two to three days after the surgery, most of the residual blood-tinged anesthetic solution drains out. This minimizes bruising and swelling and accelerates the rate of healing.
FAQs about Smartlipo / Liposuction
Rapid Healing after Tumescent Liposuction
After tumescent liposuction, there is a certain amount of blood-tinged local anesthetic solution that remains under the skin. This excess fluid is either slowly absorbed over several weeks into the blood stream, or it can be rapidly removed by drainage through skin incisions and absorbed by special absorptive pads (Special Pads). Our Liposuction is an outpatient procedure and you can actually walk out of our office! The total recovery time is usually about six weeks.
When can I return to work post Liposuction Surgery?
Most patients return to work in two days after the surgery. Medical excuse letters for work are available upon request.
Do you offer a consultation prior?
We encourage you to have a consultation first to see, if you are a candidate for the procedure. Just call our office at (805) 351-0843 to schedule a consultation or you can schedule a consultation online. If you have concerns that you would like to discuss first but you are not ready yet to discuss them over the phone or in person, please e-mail us. We will be happy to address your concerns and help you with decisions. Plus, our consultations are FREE!
Are Financing Plans Available?
Yes. We have several financing options including an option of financing with no interest. Read our Financing Options page.
If I live outside your area, can I still schedule a consultation?
Yes, some of our patients come from outside the area and we can always cater to accommodate them.
Are there hotels near your office?
Yes. There are numerous hotels in the area. When you call to schedule your consultation, we will be happy to provide you with information.
