Smart Liposuction

In this health video learn how liposuction is the most popular form of plastic surgery in the U.S. with more than 300,000 Americans opting for the procedure each year. Now, there's a new alternative that's so quick and easy, you could do it over your lunc

Jennifer Matthews: Jogging helps 49-year-old Nancy Kelley escape the pressures of everyday life. But after years of running, there was one problem she just couldn't shake. Nancy Kelley: My son calls it a Santa Claus belly. Roger Bassin: The larger circles on the middle represent areas where there is increased fat and increases bulging for her. Jennifer Matthews: Plastic surgeon Roger Bassin offers patients like best deal, a new kind of liposuction. Roger Bassin: Liposuction is really meant for body contouring. It's meant for people who are typically healthy and who have trouble spots. Jennifer Matthews: Smart Lipo is a high-tech alternative that uses a laser to melt away fat. It takes about 45 minutes and uses a local anesthetic, so patients can stay awake the entire time. Dr. Bassin begins by injecting the patient with liquid anesthetic. Then, he uses a laser to break up the excess fat. Roger Bassin: Everything the laser tip touches will literally melt the fat. Jennifer Matthews: While standard liposuction can leave patients with saggy pockets of skin, the heat from the laser shrinks skin around the affected area in 6 to 9 months. Roger Bassin: It saves her a scar all the way across her tummy for a tummy tuck. Jennifer Matthews: Once the fat has been fully liquified, Dr. Bassin simply sucks it out of the body. After treatment, Kelly is happy with her result. Nancy even went down two dress sizes. Nancy Kelley: This helps and it also gives me an incentive to keep going. Jennifer Matthews: Both women say that $4000 procedure is worth it. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.