Swelling and bruising after any type of liposuction is normal. This usually settles down in a few weeks, but can vary from patient to patient. Although the majority of swelling will dissipate in the first 3-6 weeks, it may take months for you to see the final result.






1 post
29 Nov 2008
4 weeks post-op after smartlipo still very sore and I swell if I work out.I see results on the love handles but none in the bra area looks a little saggy.Getting frustrated. Is it still to early to see results and what to do about working out?
unregistered guest
18 Feb 2009
It was 3 month since I did my lippo, and I still having bruises. So - like all doctors on this site says; You have to have patience and live healthy.
81 posts
19 Nov 2008
The swelling after SmartLipo will take a minimum of about two weeks to start going down. Also expect that the area may be a little lumpy for several weeks while the lymphatics heal. Most patients will realize the majority of their results by the fourth week after the procedure. If you have scarring or have had previous trauma to the area the healing may take longer. How quickly bruising resolves is dependent on the severity. Bruising is usually minimal with the SmartLipo because the 1064nm wavelength coagulates the small blood vessels damaged during the procedure. Normally it will resolve within about two to three weeks. Continue to wear your garment and you may consider Arnica (oral and topical) or bromiline (found in pineapple) to speed the healing process.
38 posts
19 Nov 2008
I have been a provider of Smartlipo since 2006, and done thousands of cases. I tell every patient that you FINAL results from laser lipolysis should take 3-6 months to be fully appreciated. That is not to say you won't see results prior to that, but ultimatly, patience is a virutue in this.
92 posts
19 Nov 2008
Bruising in the thigh area is common with any kind of liposuction, athough generally less often with Smart Lipo since the laser coagulates most small vessels as it moves through the fat. The good news is that it tends to resolve in 7-14 days. Try taking some oral Arnica which helps with both bruising and swelling post procedure. The garments you are wearing are mostly for your comfort and support. There have never been any scientific studies showing that it improves the final results of liposuction. You should see improvement in the saddlebag area between 2 and 3 weeks, and it will continue to improve almost daily for two months or longer. Be patient ! Five days post-op is often the most difficult time because you're tired of being swollen and impatient to see your results. They will come shortly. I hope it looks terrific.
109 posts
19 Nov 2008
Congratulations on your procedure! It sounds like you had a good experience so far. Bruising occurs with any procedure (even taking off a little mole). With the SmartLipo procedure, the bruising is less compared to traditional liposuction but it will still happen. I tell my patients that 75-80% of the healing occurs during the 1st month. However, if you look at the microscopic level of healing, full maturation of the healing process takes up to 1 year. Now this is not to say that you will not see your final result until 1 year but you must understand that even after 1 month, that will not be your final result. Most people will not see a "final" result until at least 3-6 months. Healing still occurs up to 1 year but will be a noticeable difference. Swelling, small lumps & bumps are perfectly normal up to several months afterwards. It is important to be patient and not rush into a touch-up as this can sometimes be detrimental to your results as your body has not fully settled into the procedure. Lymphatic massage, arnica, bromeline are all good supplements to healing but the most important factor is how healthy you are. Eating well, exercising regularly, making sure your blood pressure/diabetes (if you are) are well controlled is far more important. Also make sure you are not (or do not) smoke as this is probably the #1 external factor that can impede healing and affect good results. Hope this helps!