Hardness after smartlipo?

AlaLipoonthighs 8 Apr 2013

I had liposuction on my inner, medial and outer thighs and knees 2 weeks ago and I am having severe tightness and hardness in my inner thighs. I have had severe swelling and bruising that spread all the way to both of my feet. Has anyone else experienced this and if so what do you do to alleviate this? I also have been unable to go back to work due to the bruising and swelling. I have been wearing a compression garment 24 hrs a day that goes from my waist to my calves. Any comments are welcome. Thanks!

tati13 9 May 2013

how is your hardness now I had mine in April also the pool helps with steam room and hot tub with pain for me but later the next day im back in pain. the pain is stinging on and off and hot touch to my skin I know that I went to the ER to make sure I had no infections and I was find they told me at the ER I was healing good and I had them give me fluids through the IV just in case while I was there. I get married soon and I don't want no hardness for my wedding or pain. I get married In june and its so close im worried. I have a personal massager named Scultor Body massager they told me to use every other day on all parts and the heating pad to use everyday 20 minutes on each area. Im going to see what happens. I have some redness in my arms with dark bruises but not on my stomach its just dark and hard at some areas. My thighs are dark and lumpy. They tried some treatment on me that said it would help make me soft faster but the treatment pain was unbelievable it was the worst pain I ever felt it felt like I was being stung to death by bees. they put some type of solution through a needle that hooked to a machine. Ive been losing weight a lot I went from 234 to 209Ibs today but im hanging in there. I don't remember my procedure at all because he gave me medication before it and put me in a room to relax on a recliner I don't even remember walking out the room to get the procedure I just remember when it was time to get in the car. So that was good for me because I heard a lot of ppl say they experienced pain during the procedure I didn't feel nothing nor remember it. I had lipo on my arms, turso (stomach, love handles, back), a brazillian butt lift with fat transfer I see the difference big time and love it. The first day I didn't see it but now I do. Im going to go buy arnica bruise stick to see if it will help with the bruises on my arms to go away im dark skinned and its just red and black and I don't like it

Philippa Dodson 19 Feb 2013

I am a Certified Lymph Drainage Therapist. With any kind of lipo there is an interruption of the lymph flow. The trauma from the movement of the cannula under the skin leaves little channels that can fill up with fluid and lead to fibrosis. I have to say that some abdomens I work on feel like a bag of rocks. It is very important that the compression garment be worn as long as you can still feel the irregularities. A series of Lymph Drainage Treatments can soften the belly and speed up the healing process. Just make sure you consult a Physical Therapist or Massage Therapist who is experienced and skilled in the technique, which seems very simple but is actually detailed and delicate. The 2 main techniques of Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) or Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) are Vodder and Chikly. MLD is NOT massage, it is a specialized form of bodywork that accelerates the lymph flow without increasing circulation. It is very gentle and not painful, even right after surgery. Massage can actually make the swelling and discomfort worse.

Belladonna Atlanta 23 Oct 2012

I had my procedure 8/30/2012. It's been 8 weeks and I have no complaints. Hardness is easing up some. Not completely gone, but not enough for me to complain. My stomach looks fantastic. I dropped 2 dress sizes around my waist. I exercise and don't eat carelessly because from my research the fat may have been removed from my abs, but it has to find some where else to go. My doctor advices me to keep exercising. I have lost 10lbs since the procedure.

jehovahgem 23 Oct 2012

My smartlipo was performed on August 2nd and today my stomach is a hard, uneven, lumpy mess!

perfectbodpersuit 23 Oct 2012

Was it healing well before or did it just get lumpy overnight?

maximwest 15 Oct 2012

Excuse me I have to be frank - how long did it take to get this FAT! (Years perhaps)...So, don't expect results prematurely - 1 - 3 months min to recover..Not too shabby as Adam Sandler would say ;-) Google - Lymphatic drainage massages with a TriActive Cellulite Laser or a skilled massage therapist. Wikipedia "Lymphatic Drainage" it will be a great learning experience you'll appreciate your body and hopefully have a greater respect for it's healing powers. Arnica etc. for speeding the process as well. During this recovery time you can reassess your diet, exercise and lifestyle so you can look and feel amazing in Spring-Summer time at the pool etc. Cheers!! FYI I've had Smart-Lipo in five areas and yes now it was well worth the money and suffering...Looks Awesome!!

Darva 22 Oct 2012

Soooo, you had Smart-Lipo too and obviously your experience was quite different. First and foremost, it took you five years to feel good about your procedures according to what you are telling me. Did your doctor tell you in the consultation that it was going to take that long? Mine did not. It's been 5 months for me and I am still struggling with the results. I have gone through the Lymphatic drainage, Cellular Laser treatment and massage therapy, feeding my body with wheat grass shakes, etc. I am now back in the gym working my core 40% of my workout and my stomach still feels wired, tender on one side, healed on the other side, lumpy and uneven. I could have done a better job with diet and exercise. I know that there are individuals out there who have had this and other procedures done and they are happy, they are out celebrating, enjoying and showing off their results, I am not, I am on this blog! The misconception and misrepresentation of this procedure it what I am trying to reckon with. Besides, I am out of my funds and also of my self esteem, this has spiraled me into personal intensive care. And even though I do think I look better in my clothes the changes are insignificant, was it worth it? I am still on the fence with that as I am embarrass to undress. I am hoping my doctor will do another procedure to correct some of the obvious problems. A fat stomach looks natural, my results does not. While I appreciate some of what you had to say, I can tell you that it did not take me five years to get the fat. I had actually lost 45 lbs and regained it with a two year span, thus removing the fluctuating fat cells became an option. Consider this: Right after my procedure my stomach was nice and flat, one month later I looked like I was nine months pregnant, after the procedure the doctor wrapped me with a loose pad to absorb the drainage and I was sent home like that. Now, do you think that if s/he had braced my stomach with a compression pad and bandaged me tightly, at least making sure that I left in my compression garment while the anesthesia was still active that it would have made a difference. After I got home and the pain began to set in and I couldn't even stand to touch myself, was that the appropriate time to squeeze myself into a girdle? Answer that!

cidyy 9 Apr 2013

my doctor did the same thing. loosely wrapped me in a compression garment with bandages to catch the fluids. Not a word or advice how to care to achieve the best possible results. The results, after six months I had the same size tummy as when I went in. So disappointed as this is a female Dr.

Belladonna Atlanta 7 Sep 2012

Patience is what is needed. The lumps will go away. It takes at least 3 months depending on your body.

perfectbodpersuit 4 Sep 2012

I had smartlipo done on Aug 29, 2012, and was told about the 3 day recovery as well. It worked out to be 2 days for me. I had my upper & lower abs, hips and waist done. So my surgery was Wednesday evening and I was told not to remove the bandages or shower until 48hrs, so Friday evening. Thursday morning I was feeling VERY uncomfortable but by Thursday evening I was feeling better. I only took one pain killer the first day when the anesthesia wore off and then I just took my antibiotics and I am basically fine. I do still feel sore but I can work out and do everything normally. Exercising really does help. My doctor told me to make sure to do at least 30 mins of walking the day after the surgery. His suggestion was to go to the mall, I took his advice and to be honest after I came back I was feeling much better. I also took Arnica and it's said to help with bruises and swollen muscles. Im still swollen too, but Im trying to be patient and wait for my final results. I try to exercise everyday, because I notice that it helping me heal faster. Anyone considering the surgery that hasn't done it as yet, should make sure they research the doctor carefully ...not just take testimonials from the doctor's website etc but from outside sources like this forum. My doctor and his staff were very pleasant and friendly. We listened to music which he told me before that I could take whatever music I wanted and he played it on his ipod dock and we talked through the whole process. I couldn't believe when he was done, how the time just passed as well as the results he showed me from a mirror.

ivy kan 25 Sep 2012

Can u recommend the doc to me by sending to my email add. kls-1103@Hotmail.com

perfectbodpersuit 22 Oct 2012

He is Dr Aaron Rollins at Elite Body sculpture, in Beverly Hills.

sorelydisappointed 21 Feb 2013

IF you are looking to do Smart Lipo , you need to Call MyShape lipo.. they are the best priced, very awesome friendly people, and great results... their web site is myshapelipo add the com in it..

Belladonna Atlanta 4 May 2013

I did mine August 2012 and its now may 2013 and I look fabulous. I did upper and lower abs, waist, love handles. I was already exercising before lipo so I just continued. Loving my results. I did have hardness, numbness but one day I realized it was all gone. Living it

AlaLipoonthighs 4 May 2013

Thank you for the encouragement!

perfectbodpersuit 4 May 2013

Congrats girl!...I had the same experience...Some people on here didn't believe me when I said I have no hardness or uneveness now. Im still exercising too and it seems every Im looking even better. I was nervous in the beginning, but now I can't complain. I just had a girls weekend, drinking and partying everyday, and everyone kept saying how nice and flat my tummy looks. And even after all that drinking, I got up this morning looked in the mirror and was amazed with how fabulous my abs are. My spots are almost gone too, but I want them to go faster. Did you use anything special on yours?

Oceangirl1 26 Aug 2012

Thank you all for your post. I had smartlipo done Aug 3, 2012 and was told the same 3 day recovery story all of you heard. It was more painful than my boob job and I developed that hard lump in my abdominal area. I went back to the doctor and he said he had never seen that....are you kidding! He then removed 65cc of fluid from the area which helped but didn't fix the problem. My stomach still hurts and it's hard and bruised. I would never do this again. Thanks for the post at least now I know what to expect and how to handle it.

ivy kan 25 Sep 2012

I plan to do at the clinic located at damansara, which clinic u did the surgery

sheltie lover 11 Jul 2012

I had lipo May 18,2012 and am kinda ok with the results. I am 62 yrs old 5'7" and 130 lbs--very active and slim except for love handles and a large donut around my midsection. i was always between a size 6 and 8 for pants and skirts. The doc was excellent.He drained fluid 4 times from different areas in the weeks following the surgery. I was fine to workout within 2 wks but am experiecing sausage like shapes on both sides/below my belly button.he did not mention ultrasound but after reading the comments I will ask him about it. I am massaging but it looks really unpleasant--puckering ,loose skin and the 2 sausages means I'm embarrased to have my husband look at me. I didn't even have stretch marks after 3 pregnancies.!.I have dropped one pant size which I'm happy about but not happy with the appearance of my stomach. i guess I have to be patient--. has anyone had fillers injected in the depressed areas or Thermage to tighten the wrinkled areas ?

Darva 11 Jul 2012

You're welcome! I want to know if there is anyone out there who started with this problem of the hardness, the lumps, the numbness and swelling and have your abs returned to normal or am I just wasting my time. If so please let me know how long it lasted, if there are any residual lumps did the swelling go away completely and how long did it take, what did you do to help the situation. I know most of us posted that we are experiencing some of these problems but can I hear from those of you who has what you consider the final results. Thanks :)

Smartlipo is an oxymoron 10 Jul 2012

Thanks Darva...I will try the moist heat. I agree, that doctors should tell us the reality of recovery. The Wall Street Journal in March of 2008 says that Smartlipo is a gimmick to get people in the door. If the docotrs gave us the real skinny (so to speak) we would really think harder about it before going forward. Thanks for your comment!

Darva 10 Jul 2012

Well it's only been 3 weeks, give yourself more time to recover and if it hurts that much don't do it. Yes, your nerve ending is still very much on edge. Keep walking, keep swimming and stretching but don't overdo it the ultrasound is the best thing for you right now. You can also use a heating pad that delivers moist heat that also helps. I know...these doctors really need to take a long hard post at their post follow procedures.

sum2012 9 Jul 2012

Well I to had smart lipo, tomorrow makes 4 weeks,It looks ok,and I can see my results already,and yes I have lumps on each side of my flanks,I went in today for a check up,I was told that the when the lumps go away my flanks would be smaller,,idk,I got it done on a tuesday and was back to work on thursday,,,and i was a lil tired but now reading this i see,i wasnt just in my head,,but im feeling good now and it do hurt a lil,but not as bad as my tummy tuck,,,I would it all again,,,,ANYBODY KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT CELLURLAZE I THINK I SPELLED IT RIGHT

My First and LAST Lipo 9 Jul 2012

Darva, thanks for the note. 3 weeks out, the pain is still like a blow torch to my nerve endings everywhere and it is hard to walk. I have been taking a pain pill that another doctor provided me and then heating our pool to 90 degrees so I can swim and stretch out, I am also using a heavy duty massager on all of the hard areas which is nearly unbearable AND I want to be sure I have done all I can if I end up staying this way.
It is all still such a nightmare and my husband or my 3 lb dog can't touch me anywhere the lipo was given without causing me so much pain that the tears come.
I will look into the ultrasound. Thanks again!