Stoker Plastic Surgery: David Stoker, MD
4640 Admiralty Way #1000
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Phone: (310) 300-1779
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
For many men and women in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, liposuction makes sense. When certain areas of the body do not respond to diet and exercise, it’s natural to seek other solutions. The Smartlipo® system uses laser energy to melt targeted fat before it is removed in a second step. As a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in leading-edge techniques, I can help patients choose the optimal liposuction technique for their goals.
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For more than a decade, I performed clinical research on leading-edge liposuction technologies, which included tumescent, ultrasound, power-assisted, water-assisted, and laser-assisted systems. Because of my role as a leader in the field of body contouring surgery, I dedicate a substantial amount of time to investigating promising new technologies for my specialty. Smartlipo laser liposuction is from Cynosure, one of the originators and leaders in this field. The technology has been shown to work effectively and produce dramatic results. However, as is the case with all fat removal systems, the surgeon’s experience and skill are the most important determinants of a patient’s results.
Smartlipo uses 1 or 2 laser energy wavelengths to melt fat and cauterize blood vessels. The energy is delivered through a tiny 2 mm fiber that is inserted through the skin. The surgeon controls the level of laser energy, the length of treatment, and the areas to be treated. The fatty tissues are melted and then suctioned away in a second step to facilitate healing and avoid problems.
| For Your Liposuction: |
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| He’s written 2 textbook chapters on liposuction, sharing his knowledge with future plastic surgeons. |
| He regularly teaches liposuction courses at meetings of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS). |
| He was named as a top surgeon in liposuction by The New York Times. |
| He’s pioneered some of today’s most popular liposuction techniques, such as power-assisted liposuction (PAL). |
The benefits of Smartlipo that the manufacturer claims include:
I have used the Smartlipo system for some time now, and I find it useful for removing fat from areas with significant scarring from previous rounds of liposuction. It can be somewhat helpful in treating fibrous tissues. Power-assisted liposuction or a similar system is still necessary to remove substantial amounts of fat and achieve optimal results.
Educated at some of the most elite institutions in the country, Dr. David Stoker uses his highly advanced knowledge to ensure that each patient achieves beautiful, harmonious results — whether it's through a simple non-surgical procedure or a more advanced surgical transformation. Learn more about his unique credentials and his approach to plastic surgery.
Why Choose Dr. StokerA broad range of people, from those in their late teens to people in their 70s, can be good candidates for Smartlipo. Laser-assisted liposuction is particularly useful for fibrous areas of the body, such as regions previously treated with liposuction or the chest area for males. Ideally, the skin’s elasticity should cause it to tighten after fat is removed; the laser may supplement this skin tightening.
As patients age and their skin naturally loosens, the number of areas of the body that are good targets decreases. If patients need substantial skin tightening, it’s usually advisable to supplement Smartlipo with another skin-tightening procedure, such as a tummy tuck or facelift. An in-person consultation is the best way for me to help my patients understand which areas can benefit most.
The first step in laser-assisted liposuction is to treat the fatty tissues with an anesthetic solution to minimize discomfort and improve the precision of fat removal. The laser fiber is then introduced under the skin and passed through the tissues, melting the fat but leaving the nerves and blood vessels relatively unaffected. The melted fat is then removed with PAL or a similar aspiration technique.
Recovery from Smartlipo is longer than with PAL. Most patients often more than a week to recover. Improvements are noticeable right away and continue to get better with time; final results take a few months to see.
Liposuction has one of the lowest complication rates of any cosmetic surgery operation. Smartlipo has a very low complication rate as well, especially when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. The most common problem may be lumpiness or skin wrinkles. It is also possible for the laser energy to cause skin damage. Risks such as infection, bleeding, or seroma are very uncommon.
If you’re interested in learning more about Smartlipo, request a consultation online or by calling (310) 300-1779.
Our expertise extends beyond plastic surgery. We offer an extensive range of non-surgical treatments administered by our talented, experienced team of aesthetic providers under the guidance of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Stoker.
If you have a treatment in mind, review our complete offering of non-surgical services. If you need a little help deciding, narrow down your options with our interactive treatment planner.
