Smartlipo offers a laser form of liposuction

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Smartlipo offers a laser form of liposuction
Sep 27, 2007
By Stephanie Samuel
Sentinel Staff Writer

Located in Bowie, James Benjamin and the Renew Medical Surgical Spa are peddling the latest advancement in cosmetic surgery. Since Smartlipo, a laser form of the traditional liposuction, was approved in the United States last year, there are practices offering the procedure in Florida, New York and now right here in Prince George's County. Benjamin's practice is one of three in the State of Maryland and the first and only here in the county.

Why the hype? Benjamin said the surgery removes unwanted fat similar to liposuction but also tightens the skin. Unlike traditional liposuction, Smartlipo uses a laser to liquefy fat cells and causes collagen in the skin to shrink, tightening the skin.

"It offers a methodology of skin shrinkage that I haven't seen in a long time," Benjamin said.

He should know. Benjamin received his certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery in 1979. Since that time, he has served as assistant chief of plastic surgery at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and is the first black board certified plastic surgeon in any armed services. Benjamin established his Bowie practice in 1981 where he performs an array of cosmetic procedures.

When he saw a demonstration of the Smartlipo in March, he knew that he wanted to perform the procedure. Benjamin trained with another board certified surgeon on procedure and performed his first Smartlipo in April. He said the results were phenomenal.

"On her we literally saw the skin shrinkage as we did the procedure," Benjamin said.

He also said the patient experienced a dramatically short recovery time.

"She drove herself home," Benjamin said.

Smartlipo unlike liposuction is minimally invasive and can result in less bleeding, swelling and bruising.

Sonya Sampy, who went to Benjamin for Smartlipo on what she affectionately called her "baby pooch," said she too needed very little down time from the procedure. "The next day I was back to work," she said. She also said she suffered very little pain and took only one or two Motrin in the days after the surgery. She was also very pleased with the body-sculpting results Smartlipo delivered. Now Sampy, a graphic designer and mother, says she now has curves she can be proud of.

"I had a couple of kids and things changed. It [Smartlipo] was a good way to put things back," she said

Benjamin says patients' success stories such as Sampy's led two of his nurses to receive the procedure as well. However he does not recommend the procedure as a method of weight loss. Benjamin says he limits fat cell removal to four quarts or three pounds. He says removal of more than four to five quarts of fat cells can lead to complications.

"If you have qualms, if you have questions, exercise and diet is the best way to go," Benjamin said. "I don't want patients to forgo ... eating habits, exercise and healthy lifestyle."

Benjamin also encourages those with questions about Smartlipo to arrange a consultation.

He offers free consultations and lectures about the procedure.

"Once they have the information, they can do what they want with it," Benjamin said.

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