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Hardness after smartlipo?

Posted 16 May 2008

It has been 3 weeks since I had smartlipo on my upper & lower ab's. I love the results, only I have this hardness that I'm told will go away with time & massage & that it's just my body doing it's thing after smartlipo. Anybody else have this hardness & if yes, did it go away? Worried to have anymore smartlipo done if this is the result!

Comments (41)

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SusanB 20 May 2008
Hi Renee, I have experience the same pain and hardness, and some constipation, I got mine done 3 weeks ago today, has your hardness started to clear up yet?
SmartLipoMD 15 Jun 2008
Some small little areas of hardness can be seen following SmartLipo or traditional liposuction. Massage does help. These areas should be gone within a couple of months. I have not seen anyone that had these persist. This does not happen to everyone. It is always a good idea to have your physician check out anything that is bothering you. Not all "hard lumps" are the same thing. . .but it sounds like your issue is part of the normal healing process.
So Sorry 2011 10 Mar 2011
Dear Dr. Smartlipo: I beg to differ with you on the degree and size of these "hard areas." My abdomin is extended farther than when I went in! It is hard, hurting and I feel as if I have a bowling ball in my stomach. It is 3 weeks to the day. My doctor says it is normal. If it is normal then why isn't mentioned anywhere in any of the imformation put out on laser, smart lipo. I work in the public eye. I can't fit into anything. What happened to my 3 day recovery? I can't even fit in my clothes. I stood in front of my mirror crying yesterday saying "what did I do to my body?" If this harness is part of the healing and be it know that if you have hardness it could take a coupl of months to heal, I think you would have informed patients, and maybe just a few less dollars in your pocket. I had lipo performed on my in 1994 - no laser and to be honest, done the way it is done now under a local. My results were excellent. I even drove myself home. From that surgery to this, night and nightmare. But then again, I understand you are being helpful. I am warning anyone who plans on doing this to think twice!!!! I just pray I have my shape back this year!!!!! So Sorry
PrettyGirlAlready 20 Feb 2012
Dear So sorry, I had vaser on 2/2/12 and I am still off of work. Was told the same 3 day recovery story. Not! I've been fatigued etc. Praying things turn around soon!
painful process 29 Feb 2012
I have to agree!!! I was told three day recovery. I am still in major pain. My procedure was done on 02/14/12. I had 6 areas done at once and all of gthe areas are super hard. Almost wishing that I did not do this. What are you doing to deal with this?
HeatherWynne 21 May 2012
I am 3 weeks out and my abs are swollen and hard as rock but not in a good way, in a lumpy totally unattractive way. I can't believe this is going to go away. Could please share with me if your stomach became hard, lumpy, "unseeable" and how long it took to go away? Thank you so much. Please tell me how it worked out for you last year? Please, please :-)
chontelle 21 May 2012
Heather it Will take 3 mos for you to feel normal take each day to heal . Try not to overthink it just wear your garment. By no means overeat. Stay away from white flour or sugar. Drink lots of water!!!
1206anon 29 May 2012
The lumps do go away but it does take a few months. I had terrible bumps on my side by my waist. My tummy was hard as a rock as well. I did as I was told and massaged the area as often as possible. They finally went away after a few months. The body absorbs the lumps and the hardness softens up with massage and in time.
Jason T, 23 Jul 2008
Feels like someone superglued my skin, slapped an two by three inch area under the skin and pressed it. It's hard and unsightly. Some of the 'red dots' and bruising caused by the laser still remain, are fading but not fast enough for me. its been 3 weeks post. This condition is keeping me from enjoying summer (indoor) swimming. Comments? Suggestions? Had I known this was going to be the case, I would have seriously reconsidered it. You learn these things after the fact. SmartLipo isn't as smart as I thought it was going to be/sold to be. Its become far too time consuming and worrisome.
SmartLipoMD 23 Jul 2008
Hi Jason, It sounds like you aren't having the most fun summer! Sorry. It should get better rather quickly. I have found that guys often have a harder time during the recovery process than women. I guess that's why we weren't allowed to have babies! Have you been massaging the area? Is the skin adherent ("stuck down") in the area you are talking about? You can try to use Arnica to speed up the healing process. Don't panic. Keep massaging and follow up with your provider to see what they recommend. A lot of people go through an "ugly" phase. . . it usually resolves wonderfully. Photos of the area would be helpful if you can take some that show the shadows (it's usually easiest to do this if your flash is turned off). Hang in there!
Justin L 9 Aug 2008
I had a procedure in late December of 2007 and I am still battling with an area of hardness. The original procedure was intended to remove small areas of fat and to “sculpt” my love handles, upper back, below my buttocks and my complete abdomen. It involved both tumescent liposuction and smart lipo. Following the procedure I wore a wrestling singlet like compression garment for over a month, lost an additional 20lbs though working out and also received, at the center where the procedure was preformed, weekly ultrasound massage sessions targeted at the four areas. It was explained to me that the ultrasound waves help to break up the hardness. Three out of the four areas have turned out beautifully and show no signs of hardness. After 14 weeks, my lower abdomen, specifically the area to the left and right of my bellybutton, continued to remain hard and showed signs that there was a little more fat to be removed. The surgeon offered a touch-up procedure as a correction. I wore a special compression garment for my abdomen for over six weeks following the procedure, continued working out and continued with the weekly ultrasound massage. I also began using an at home hand held massager on the area nightly. It has now been 16 weeks since the touch up and the left side has flattened out with no hardness remaining. The right side remains hard and appears to be slightly bulging. I plan on continuing with the ultrasound massage for a few more weeks but it is hard to keep a positive focus when so much time has already passed. Although I realize that “time heals all wounds”, I continue to be concerned about this particular area of hardness. Take this as you may: caution or simply suggestion.
berf 6 Dec 2008
Hi, I am looking for a place where I can get ultrasound massage?do you recomend anyplace ?thanks
Justin L 9 Dec 2008
I live in South Florida and receive ultrasound treatments at the clinic where my procedure was preformed, BodyCare, Fort Lauderdale. However, if you are outside the area, try to find a licensed massage therapist near you that has access to an ultrasound machine. They use ultrasound on patients that have hard spots from injuries that are similar to those that form after lipo. Another option to consider is synergie or another entomology/lymphatic drainage massage. Again, the clinic where my procedure was preformed has a synergie machine. However, you would receive a similar effect from a licensed massage therapist familiar with lymphatic drainage massage. Good Luck!
berf 9 Dec 2008
thank you . i will search for that.
anton 31 Jan 2009
i also went to body care, looks like things are healing nicely so far..im a bout 2 weeks post opp and they want me to start doing the synergie, any feedback?
Justin L 2 Feb 2009
Well, first I should clear something up about my posting back on 08/09/08. This fall, I underwent an additional touch up procedure on the right side of my lower abdomen. The hardness that I referenced in that previous post has disappeared. Following that procedure, I underwent synergy/ultrasound for the recommended time period and it helped to speed along the result. My suggestion is to keep a positive focus and to follow the advice of the BodyCare staff. They do a tremendous job and will make sure that you are satisfied in the result. All the Best to You!
Swifty 5 May 2009
I had Smart Lipo on Upper and Lower Abs almost 2 weeks ago. I also just noticed a hardness in the 'pooch' area, it only appeared about 2 days ago. I'm satisfied with my results provided this is merely temporary and that there's something I can do to get rid of it.
sirilucky 10 May 2009
Im watching something on tv n some chicks n guys are wantin to get Liposuction done. I would get it done if it wasnt so expensive. How much does Lipo cost?
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 11 May 2009

Hi sirilucky,

Costs of liposuction vary; for a guide check out our Liposuction cost map and a related post on our doctor Q&A, How much does liposuction cost?.

Good luck!

Tory 013 10 Mar 2010
I had smartlipo done a week ago. I have alot of swelling in my adomen and hardness in my adomen area. Has any one else experienced that and how l,ong should I expect it to last?
So Sorry 2011 10 Mar 2011
I am experiencing it and I am worried as hell!!!! I had my surgery March 1st and have been back to see the doctor every week, where he reasurres me that this is "normal." I have a bowling ball in my lower abdomen and my skin is so stretched out I think I am going to start butting a product to avoid stretch marks like pregnant women do. I thought this was a quick recovery. As the assistant said, many women have come in on Friday and are back to work on Monday. Well sure I am mobile but I cannot fit in a pair of pants and had to buy some athletic pants, purchase some shirts because I look 8 months pregnant and don't know how I am supposed to return to work April with this bowling ball protruding. This is not all superficial mind you....WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AND WHY WEREN'T WE INFORMED. I most certainly would not do it if I know this was a 99% chance occurencre as a result. My doctor just says it will go away. But no date. This year, next year....I read that post from that guy who had his surgery in 2007 and is STILL trying to get rid of it. Please feel free to email me.
So Sorry 2011
The_Doll 9 Apr 2010
I too have hardness in the my ab area. I had both lower and upper. Both are hard, but the lower ab is like a brick is under there. I will be glad when someone gives us a solid answer about this. I don't want to have more procedures. Having this procedure is starting to be a mistake.
6701anon 24 Jun 2010
Had traditional liposuction 1 month ago on so many areas I can't remember.... Upper, lower back flanks hips breasts etc. I have the hardness and the tightness still but it isn't as bad as it was couple weeks ago when twisting and turning in bed had to be thought out carefully and planned. It's getting better every week but I did notice the arnica Gel I bought does really really help relieve the tightness and uncomfortable hard feeling. My biggest problem though is being able to look at my body without throwing up.... I like my results but the swelling scars, skin peeling stiches blehhhhhh!! Glad I changed my profession from being a nurse indefinately
erabel 11 Jul 2010
I had my ab done 6 weeks ago and the hard lumps is still there. Its a really big lump on my lower right ab. My Dr said to be patient which i am so i'm still hoping that it will go away on it's own. I hate how it shows through my clothes.
pugs 9 Aug 2010
Hi, I had smart lipo a week ago today. I feel some hardness as well. I also have no feeling in cetain areas of my stomach. I am scheduled for 3 vela treatments (part of my package) i am hoping this will solve it. Did any of you have the vela done after your proceedure?

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