SmartLipo™ Los Angeles

SmartLipo

With so many new innovations on the body contouring market, it’s important to understand the nuances of each before pursuing treatment. Dr. Teitelbaum’s approach puts surgical expertise first to ensure your procedure is tailored to your body’s exact needs.

What Is SmartLipo?

SmartLipo™ is a type of liposuction that uses controlled laser energy to break down stubborn fat deposits before they’re removed from the body with a traditional liposuction cannula. While it’s often marketed as an alternative to liposuction, it’s important to understand that SmartLipo™ is a technique variation, not a fundamentally different procedure. Because the device uses lasers in addition to standard suction, it’s vital that you work with a surgeon who demonstrates extreme caution, precision, aesthetic judgment, and attention to detail. SmartLipo™ can be performed on the following areas of the body:

Abdomen
Back
Knees
Thighs
Buttocks
Neck and chin
Hips and flanks

Melting Away Stubborn Fat

Because SmartLipo™ uses traditional liposuction techniques to remove stubborn fat deposits, the procedure comes with the following benefits:

Smooth, natural-looking body contours
Improved clothing fit, especially in tight or athletic pieces
Better body balance
Increased comfort and confidence

However, current evidence does not support claims that SmartLipo™ is safer than traditional liposuction, that it produces a faster recovery, or that it tightens skin in a predictable or meaningful way. Dr. Teitelbaum prioritizes proven, reliable techniques to get you the results you want, and he can explore your options with you during your consultation.

Are You a Candidate for SmartLipo?

Similar to traditional liposuction, ideal candidates for SmartLipo™ are healthy, non-smoking adults who fit the following criteria:

Have small, localized fat deposits that are resistant to diet and exercise
Are at or near your ideal body weight
Have good skin elasticity

Your candidacy will be determined by whether liposuction itself is appropriate for your goals, and Dr. Teitelbaum will perform a short physical exam to ensure the procedure is right for you.

Why Choose Dr. Teitelbaum?

Dr. Teitelbaum has been recognized by patients and peers alike as one of the world’s preeminent plastic surgeons. He takes his role in his field seriously and only works with proven techniques and tools in his private practice.

Leading With Clinical Excellence

Dr. Steven Teitelbaum received his doctorate from the UCLA School of Medicine and completed his residency training at Harvard University, earning a dual board certification in General Surgery and Plastic Surgery. He’s delivered safe, high-quality results to patients at his private practice since 1995, and now serves as an Associate Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery at the UCLA School of Medicine. Reflecting his commitment to fostering the next generation of surgeons, Dr. Teitelbaum has brought his advanced techniques worldwide with lectures on five continents. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals like Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, and he’s earned leadership roles in the following prestigious organizations:

Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, 2016-2017 President
California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Treasurer and Legislative Committee Chair
Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation, Board Member

A Patient-First Philosophy

As a patient, you’ll feel Dr. Teitelbaum’s passion for plastic surgery and thoughtful patient care from the minute you step into his clinic. Every procedure is performed with integrity, trust, and transparency, delivering the results you desire without gimmicks or trendy treatments. Dr. Teitelbaum will never recommend unnecessary or potentially harmful procedures as part of your treatment.

Schedule A Consultation

(310) 315-1121 Contact Us

Your Confidential Consultation

Your journey with Dr. Teitelbaum will begin with a one-on-one consultation at his Los Angeles office. There, you’ll discuss your aesthetic goals, concerns, and medical history, and he’ll evaluate your skin health and fat distribution in your treatment areas to determine if liposuction is right for you. If SmartLipo™ isn't appropriate for your circumstances, he’ll offer proven alternatives to achieve your desired results.

Pricing Your Procedure

After your consultation, Dr. Teitelbaum’s team will provide a clear cost breakdown and extensive financing options for total transparency.

The cost of SmartLipo™ in Los Angeles will depend on the following factors:

Number of treatment areas
Extent of correction
Whether additional procedures will be performed in the same surgical session

What to Expect From SmartLipo in Los Angeles

If SmartLipo™ is determined to be a safe, effective, and appropriate option for you, your procedure will begin with an injectable local anesthetic to alleviate discomfort and prepare your treatment areas. Next, Dr. Teitelbaum will make small incisions to allow the liposuction cannula and laser device to access the skin.

Once the device has been inserted, the laser energy will heat the skin cells, breaking down fat for smooth removal by the cannulas. Then, the device will be carefully removed from your body, and all incisions will be closed with small sutures to promote a smooth, consistent scar.

Gentle, Patient-Centered Recovery

Recovery after SmartLipo™ in Los Angeles is similar to that of liposuction, often involving minor swelling, bruising, and soreness at the injection sites. Discomfort should fade within a few days, and you may need to wear compression garments to help reduce swelling. Most patients resume light activities, including walking, desk work, and social gatherings, within one week, but you’ll need to avoid strenuous exercise for up to one month. There is no consistent evidence that recovery after SmartLipo™ is significantly faster than traditional liposuction. You’ll receive a set of aftercare instructions that may include the following items:

Incision site care and cleaning protocols
Supportive garment guidance
Hygiene recommendations
Activity limitations
Sleep position restrictions, if applicable
Swelling and pain management strategies

Over the coming weeks, you’ll return to Dr. Teitelbaum’s office for short follow-up appointments with his team. There, he’ll monitor your healing progress and approve your return to high-impact activities when appropriate. Your final results will take shape as residual swelling fades, which may take several weeks.

Types of Liposuction

Rather than focusing on a single technique, such as SmartLipo™, Dr. Teitelbaum is experienced with all major liposuction approaches.

Instead of using laser-assisted liposuction, he may utilize one of the following for your procedure:

Tumescent
Power-assisted
Ultrasound-assisted
Syringe

Completing Your Transformation

Many of Dr. Teitelbaum’s Los Angeles patients include liposuction as part of an overall body contouring plan for a more comprehensive rejuvenation. Complementary procedures include the following:

Tummy tuck
Body lift
Thigh lift
Mommy Makeover
Menopause Makeover

SmartLipo™ FAQs

Does SmartLipo™ tighten skin?

No. There is no reliable evidence that SmartLipo™ provides meaningful or predictable skin tightening benefits. The degree of skin tightening after liposuction is determined by individual anatomical factors.

Is SmartLipo™ safer than traditional liposuction?

No. There is no clear evidence that SmartLipo™ is a safer procedure than traditional liposuction. Because it uses laser energy, SmartLipo™ carries a risk of burning or scarring that is not present with standard liposuction.

How do I know which technique is right for me?

During your consultation with Dr. Teitelbaum, he’ll walk you through all available liposuction options and explain the benefits and risks of each. Together, you’ll determine the best approach for your unique needs and aesthetic desires.

References

Teitelbaum, Steven A. M.D.; Burns, John L. M.D.; Kubota, Junichiro M.D.; Matsuda, Hidenori M.D.; Otto, Morkel J. M.B.Ch.B., M.Pharm. Med., M.Phil.; Shirakabe, Yukio M.D.; Suzuki, Yoshiro M.D.; Brown, Spencer A. Ph.D. Noninvasive Body Contouring by Focused Ultrasound: Safety and Efficacy of the Contour I Device in a Multicenter, Controlled, Clinical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 120(3):p 779-789, September 1, 2007.
Steven Teitelbaum, Commentary on: Experience With High-Volume Buttock Fat Transfer: A Report of 137 Cases, Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Volume 39, Issue 5, May 2019, Pages 533–535.
Teitelbaum, Steven M.D. Discussion: Clinical Implications of Gluteal Fat Graft Migration: A Dynamic Anatomical Study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 142(5): p. 1196-1197, November 2018.