How long will swelling last after Smart Lipo on arms?

I had smart lipo done 5/1/2013 &saw results immediately........dr took out 15pds of fat from upper/lower abbs, back bra roll and some from pubic area, my husband loves it and everyone is amazed because i had alottt alot of stretchmarcks and they r gone, draining only lastec 24hrs and bruising has gone away, i am tender to touch or when i sit too fast ,but im doing awsome!!!......btw im not swollen either, must be from my age and vitamins doc had me taking b4&after.....

I know this is an old thread but I was searching around mainly because I had smart lipo of the abs and flanks done three days ago. Every post I read people say how bad they are swollen or bruised or that they feel like a train hit them. I don't have any of that. I feel a little sore right before bed and right when I get up. But during the day I'm totally find. When I take my garnments off to shower I still only see maybe a quarter size bruise over the bone areas, but I don't feel them really just see them. I was starting to wonder if maybe my surgeon was too conservative since I don't feel horrible like everyone else. I am five foot and weighed in 126 at his office. My home scale said yesterday I weighed 125. I am swollen, but not so bad that if I took my garnmwnts off anyone would know. I basically look the same, but a tad leaner where the pouches were of concentrated fat. And I did watch the procedure. It was with aspiration. They removed 900mL so I know something was done. I can only conclude from here that I either have a very delicate skilled surgen or I'm just not as prone to the effects of pain from recovery as what seems like everyone else is. I haven't talen a single pain pill. And I don't need to. And the sore feeling at bed and in the am Dosent even feel as bad as it does when I have been at the gym. It feels more like I slept in the bed wrong and have some slight lower back discomfort.

I just got Smart Lipo done yesterday morning on my Upper and Lower Abdominal as well as my flanks and I feel great. I have read alot of the post and I am so sorry for those that didn't have a very good experience. Even though I have a high tolerence for pain, my doctor.... Dr. Jason Miller, is the best ever. He is gently, he listens, he talks you through everything and you can tell that he loves what he do. Everybody is different, but I think it has alot to do with your Doctor. Be sure to do your research on whomever you pick to perform your procedure, because your body is your temple. I would recommend Dr. Miller to my grandmother..... that's just how good he is. And oh by the way his staff is AWESOME as well. Dr. Jason Miller, Renewal Body Contouring; Durham, NC.....

I just wanted to add my experience to everyone else's. I'm a week post-procedure (Upper/Lower Abs, Waist, Hips and Lower Back) and my body looks wrecked. I was going to do the pubic region, but the doctor talked me out of it the morning of the procedure and did the hips and bck for the same price. He said the recovery time, swelling and pain is extreme for males that hae the procedure done in the pubic area...no sex for at least a month, no thanks!

The first few days, swelling was very minimal, however starting day 4 through today the swelling has increased significantly. This is to the point that I'm bigger than I was pre-op. This is my second smart-lipo procedure, the first one being chin, chest and armpit. I was well on my way to recovery after a week from that procedure, but this one is different. I'm hoping the swelling goes down soon and my body looks like it did right after the procedure. The bruising this time is very significant, severe swelling, loss of body symmetry, contour lines, and a general numbness of treated areas. I realize this procedure is pretty significant, but others need to be aware of a realistic recovery time for similar procedures. The pain is minimal, I stopped taking pain killers after day 4, but there is still a lot of discomfort. I took ambien also after the first couple nights were extremely restless.

Can't wait to see the final results, but this procedure isn't as instant as a lot of doctors are representing.

I had smart lipo done 20 hrs ago.. They began at 9am i was out by 1230.. I had my stomach flanks chest and axiles.. I have some swelling and some brusing.. I feel like i did 1000 situps... I went out dancing that night... Now im just going to sit back Wait for my results

Stasia,

I had it done a couple of years ago, it was very painful, swelling, burning etc. It takes quite awhile for it to completely go away. Each day it will get better. Keep the compression garment on as best you can that decreases the swelling and Use ice packs. God Bless!

I had it done 8 days ago and I am more swollen now and in quite alot of pain. Some areas still feel like they're on fire. Has anyone else dealt with this 8 days post op? I still have not had a good night sleep and wearing my compression garment is torture due to the swelling. I've been miserable to say the least. Please tell me that it will get better.

Yes swelling is Norma, draining is normal it has been almost a month for me I am still a lil swollen and still hurt if you press on me but I can see the results on my sides very much. I will start working out tomorrow and it's worth it. I was pit to sleep didn't feel anything I'm doing well can't wait for next month I think I will be to my regular size by then.

Hi, I had smart lipo and laser done on my lower abdomen 5 days ago. The drainage was crazy the whole first day. The next morning I woke up and the drainage was completely done. Is this normal? I do have some bruising and discomfort but definitley cannot be back on the eliptical the same day like the Dr. told me. I do like the results but I just need the swelling to go down. I hate the compression garments but I can honestly say that this is going to be worth it after my body goes back to normal. So hang in there everyone. I have seen others have this done and I am very impressed with what i see!!!

Hi, I had smart lipo and laser done on my lower abdomen 5 days ago. The drainage was crazy the whole first day. The next morning I woke up and the drainage was completely done. Is this normal? I do have some bruising and discomfort but definitley cannot be back on the eliptical the same day like the Dr. told me. I do like the results but I just need the swelling to go down. I hate the compression garments but I can honestly say that this is going to be worth it after my body goes back to normal. So hang in there everyone. I have seen others have this done and I am very impressed with what i see!!!

I was looking into smart lipo last year and after reading a number of replies scared myself out of it. A new technique has been introduced called tickle lipo or vibration acoustic lipo. I just had it done on Wed/ 9/8/10. I am now two days post op and 2 liters removed from abs, outer thighs, flanks and arms. I have a very low tolerance for pain and have limited down time as I am a single mom of three. I don't see alot of change in my physique, (due to swelling I'm sure as I am only 2 days post op) BUT will say that it was painless. The word Tickle Lipo is rather accurate. Not to say I laughed my way through the procedure but my nerves were shor going in and coming out was pure joy. All of the horrific experiences that some have had with lipo should consider the tickle lipo procedure. Waiting for results but so far no regrets, no pain and slight bruising on outer thighs. I was 15 pounds overweight and (5'4" and 130 pounds) pre op with a protruding belly which even with the swelling is no longer protruding. Seriously look into Tickle Lipo.

i am a 72 year old woman 11 days ago i had my upper abs and my arms done. my abs nary a pain, no bruising, and little swelling. my arms no brusing, little swelling and n o pain. 4 days ago i had my inner thighs and my back done. my back has some bruising my thighs hardly any. no pain at all involved. a little swelling. with all 4 surgeries i stopped draining and bleeding within 1 1/2 days. a lot of the the credit for this is that i went into hyperbarics immediately the day of the surgery and went for 5 sessions. today was my last day. i feel great, what should take 3-4 weeks is complete in 11 days. that is the magic secret.

I had SmartLipo 7 days ago on my inner and outer thighs and the back of my arms. I believe that my doctor is excellent and believe that the results will be good in the end. However, I agree with the above comments. For the first 4-5 days I absolutely felt as though I had been hit by a bus. I was exhausted, in pain, light headed upon rising...did I mention exhausted?! I am not on day 8 and getting ready to go in for my 1 week checkup. I have 2 more areas to have done and will have to say that now that I know what I am in for, I am much more worried about it. Another difference in what I read and what I experienced, is that it did hurt during the process. It also is just...upsetting I guess. There are sights, sounds and sensations that are disconcerting. For the first few days I would get light headed just thinking about the procedure! Would I do it again? So far "yes" I would. I just am surprised at the level of pain and overall exhaustion. I can't imagine how some folks are saying no pain and back to work right away. I believe the doctor also used a BodyJet for the lower levels of fat and switched to a laser as he got closer to the surface to increase the skin tightening properties. He said they got 1 1/2 liters of fat from each area - so 3 liters from each leg. I am not sure about the arm area. I can already tell that my arms are going to look much better. I had hereditary extra skin and fat that did not respond to exercise. I believe this is going to have been a much better option than a having had an arm lift which I had considered. My legs are smaller even though they are still swollen. I had extensive bruising and have a swollen area near the bottom incision on my right leg. It looks to me like it will take awhile for me to see a final result. Like maybe a year! We will see.

I had smart lipo on 2/23/2010 I had upper and lower abs and flanks, inner and outer thighs. i have some swelling. first and second day had soreness but third day feeling little soreness. would do this again.I am swollen but clothes fit better. Can't wait to see final results.Had a wonderful doctor.

I had Smart Lipo 5 days ago on my saddlebags with IV sedation, meaning i was out. When I awoke I was in so much pain I couldn't believe it. However, it only lasted a few hours until the pain medication started working. I was very sore for the first 2-3 days, but I'm not prone to taking a lot of pills. But here's my issue, I still have saddlebags when I look in the mirror and all of my clothes are too small so I don't understand how we're told we can go back to work in 2 days. I did not expect this much swelling. My PS is a reputable doctor and I know he did a good job, but I'm a little disappointed and yes, I know it's early so I need to give it time, but my clothes--all of them are too small.

Hello, I had smartlipo 11-02-09 and it was painful. I felt more than I wanted to. Now, it was a month today and I've suffered horribly. My stomach looks like I was in a bad fire. Probably 2 degree burns. There is one very dark circle that I'm waiting to heal and there is a whitish round tab that drains. Nasty looking. It's been hard. I am 65 and I do have sugar. But, he knew this. The pain has been excruciating.

i am 3 1/2 weeks after smartlipo on abdomen. i was scheduled to do flanks two weeks after the abdomen and cancelled it (for now). i am still very swollen and can wear nothing other than sweat pants. my waist, thighs and even lower legs and pubic area are very swollen. i am still very sore, it's hard to bend and harder to straighten up fully as well. i am unemployed at this time so i have been able to take it easy. i am unable to do anything physical whatsoever. there is no way to hide this from anybody unless you are the size 0's in my doctor's office who tell patients "i had it on fri and was back at work on mon." that may be the case when there is barely any fat to take off and it is done for advertising purposes (like ALL the woman in my docs office), but not for most people i would think. i do not feel my doctor's office was honest about the recovery time at all. to schedule me for flanks two weeks after abdomen was wrong wrong wrong. and of course they demanded 1/2 payment to book - which is non refundable if i decide never to go ahead with it. although i am very swollen it appears the results will be worth it. would i do it again? yes. but knowing upfront how long the recovery would be would have been better.

jls0577 so sorry to hear of all your complications. i have written some woes of my own. i did feel that this procedure was alot more than i expected it to be. one great thing is that my dr. is very positive with my results even though i dont feel it yet. and even though i have some issues he says he will fix everything if it doesnt get to the way it is suppose to. i had my procedure done 3/19 and i still have soreness, numbness, and my outer thighs still look flabbier and lumpy but by the end of the summer he will make the adjustments if need.

I want everyone out there who is considering smartlipo to please think twice. I have had some MAJOR complications. I had the first procedure done last Sept. I went back 6 months later, and showed him this huge lump in my inner thigh. My stomach looked awful so he re-did it. One week after the second surgery (March), I found a huge huge lump from my upper abdomen to my belly button, and the swelling is unbelievable. It is still so sore I can't run, exercise,and my kids know they can't touch my stomach. I went back to the doctor and he said it was injured fat, and he sent me on my way. I called another plastic surgeon and they never heard of the term. I had to go to another doctor and have an ultrasound done. Then last week I had to go have a CT scan to find out what has happened. At this point, they are not sure about the lump, but say the swelling is fluid. I am suppose to go back in 2 weeks and have it drained. I have decided to request a MRI to find out what this lump is and why it is still so sore. I have not been able to wear anything without an elastic waist. I can't stand for anything to touch me. Oh! All these tests have been scheduled by another doctor not the one who did the surgery. So please please think twice. Not to mention it hurts like hell!! Has anyone else had any trouble like this?

Go for it you wus!! lol . . No seriously uh yes there's a little pain, but the biggest pain is waiting for final results.

also, I have a measuring tape that I use morning and evening just to check on the progress of the swelling. (measure around the largest part of midsection and ab) Normal pattern thus far is that I am 1 inch larger at night than I am in the morning. which is also another hint - be sure to loosen the compression garment throughout the day because sometimes (I believe) there can be too much pressure from the garment.

Hey Gus, I am not positive that the hard lumps are blood clots, but when the doctor was draining the edema he had to use the canulas again because the needle was stopping up due to the clotting. clotting is probably a normal part of the healing process because everywhere he used the smart lipo is forming scar tissue, I believe, and that is what causes the swelling. It is day 19 for me and I resumed vigorous exercise today with my compression garment on. my incision spots are more pronounced (visible to me) but I am encouraged that all the soreness has gone away and I was able to do very vigorous cardio, ab, and weightlifting this morning with no pain and no sign of additional swelling. I don't have any numbness except for the adjustments right after taking off the garment. Lymphatic massage has helped immensely and I have been going every 2-3 days for another session. the idea is to stimulate the lymph nodes to process and eliminate the swelling.

Hi Bill, thanks for your feedback. (This now makes post day 11 for me) Again, I had my whole mid section done smart lipo. I'm curious about the blood clotting that you mentioned. I think a lot of my swelling has went down now, although I still definitely have swelling. I have lumps under my skin, they are hard and pronounced, are these basically blood clots? Can anyone clue me in here? And also I feel like I have about two inches of hard condensed leather pressed underneath my skin, and also the surface of my skin is still very numb. On a good note . . . I don't think anyone has noticed anything, and the new shape is already starting to be recognized. I also want to mention, I had my chin done also.