The Institute for Laser & Aesthetic Medicine

The new Smartlipo MPX device is now available at the Institute for Laser & Aesthetic Medicine to offer state-of-the-art laser body sculpting.
By Maryanna S. Phinn

Smartlipo laser lipolysis just got an extreme makeover. The earlier version of the popular laser body sculpting technique has dramatically improved due to the latest innovation called Smartlipo MPX.  Now for over 18 months, Smartlipo MPX has become the gold standard for melting isolated pockets of fat in the safety of an office setting, performed under local tumescent anesthesia. “Smartlipo MPX is the most advanced laser lipolysis technique in which we use a dual wavelength laser to melt pocketed fat while tightening the skin in the targeted problem areas,” explains Glenn DeBias, D.O., medical director and founder of The Institute for Laser & Aesthetic Medicine in Doylestown, a practice which also has offices in King of Prussia and Bethlehem.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved Smartlipo since 2006, with the newest developments in 2008, the Smartlipo MPX. The Institute for Laser & Aesthetic Medicine is the first facility in the area to offer the state-of-the-art procedure in the Delaware Valley. “We introduced Smartlipo MPX to our practice in June 2008,” notes Dr. DeBias, a Luminary Physician with Cynosure who has performed over 80,000 aesthetic procedures since the Institute opened in 1998. The estimated cost for Smartlipo MPX ranges from $1,500 to $9,500.

Patients opt to undergo the procedure to treat problematic stubborn pockets of fat on the body including the jowls, under the chin, upper arms, “bra fat,” enlarged breasts in males, upper and lower abdomen, “love handles,” “banana fold,” inner and outer thighs and inside part of the knees.

How Smartlipo MPX Differs From the Older Generations
Smartlipo MPX has many advantages over its predecessors. The procedure takes less time to perform due to the increased energy and power of a dual-wavelength laser that operates in the 1064 and 1320 nm wavelength.

“We make a tiny incision about half the size of a staple and infuse liquid saline and Lidocaine to numb the area,” explains Dr. DeBias, noting that the incision is so small; it does not require a stitch.  The 600 micron laser fiber, which is approximately the thickness of lead in a pencil, is gently pushed back and forth under the skin and through the fat, causing the fat deposits to melt while the fiber is heating the back of the skin, causing it to contract and tighten.  Since the fat is melted, there is less of a chance of having lumpiness in the skin afterwards. Blood vessels are coagulated during the procedure from the heat of the laser fiber, reducing bleeding and bruising.  Fat cells that are treated are permanently destroyed. The patients remain awake and alert throughout the process while the melted fat is removed via an aspiration technique using a very small cannula, similar to a thin straw.

An added benefit from the laser fiber heat is the production and stimulation of new collagen in the skin over the next four to six months, which will further tighten the body’s skin in the area of treatment. “Because the patient is alert while we are doing the procedure, we have the benefit of the patient assuming an upright position to see the treatment area in helping us find any spots that may need further treatment.” Another advantage of this procedure is that it results in little to no bleeding, with much less bruising or swelling than traditional liposuction and less pain and minimal down time.

After the procedure is completed, a small dressing and compression garment are applied, and the patient is capable of returning to relatively normal activities within 24 to 48 hours. The subsequent quicker treatment time makes it more comfortable for the patients, who often return to work within two days; however it is recommended that no strenuous activities be performed for two weeks.

Because traditional liposuction is more invasive, there is a need for IV sedation or general anesthesia and the incisions are much larger, usually requiring stitches. In addition, patients experience longer down time, more discomfort, more bruising and often remaining out of work for longer periods of time.

Candidates for Smartlipo MPX
Although Smartlipo MPX treats problematic fatty areas, it is not recommended as a method to lose weight,” Dr. DeBias emphasizes, “Smartlipo MPX is a sculpting and contouring procedure used to shape those areas to give a better body contour, so you’ll lose inches in those areas and clothing will fit better.” The best candidates for the procedure are people who have normal to slightly elevated body fat percentages. Both men and women are treated with this procedure, however as with other cosmetic procedures, there is a higher percentage of women who undergo the procedure as opposed to men.

About The Institute for Laser & Aesthetic Medicine
Dr. DeBias and the staff at The Institute have treated patients with aesthetic procedures for over 11 years at their Doylestown office in Bucks County, PA. Since that time, the Institute has enjoyed continuous grown and now has office in King of Prussia and Bethlehem in the Lehigh Valley. The Institute has performed over 100,000 aesthetic procedures to date and is generally regarded as being the most experienced laser and aesthetic center in the region. Dr. DeBias is internationally recognized for his skin tightening techniques, including the development of the first fractional CO2 skin resurfacing procedure, ActiveFX. He is a Luminary with many well established aesthetic laser companies, as well as a top injector of both Botox and dermal fillers. He has trained hundreds of physicians on aesthetic procedures and owns over 45 lasers and light sources in his practices. Dr. DeBias is a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery.
In addition to Smartlipo MPX, the Institute’s services include: laser skin tightening, cosmetic injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers, laser hair removal, treatment of pigmented lesions, laser treatment of spider veins and vascular lesions, microdermabrasion, acne treatments, treatment of rosacea, photofacial rejuvenation, laser tattoo removal, permanent makeup procedures and laser treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo.

The Institute for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine is located at 110 Hyde Park in Doylestown; 1030 Continental Drive, in King of Prussia; and 1655 Valley Center Parkway in Bethlehem. For office hours, to schedule an appointment or for more information, visit www.ilamed.com or call 1-(866)-48LASER.

Maryanna S. Phinn is a freelance writer from Washington Crossing, Bucks County.