How much bruising and swelling does Smart Lipo cause?

I assume smart lipo requires lots of downtime to recover.  no swimsuits for a few months

1 answer to “How much bruising and swelling does...”

A: Give smart lipo 3 months to assess results

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

This is very unique to each individual and varies tremendously due to tehcnique, genetic tendencies, amount of fat extracted, skin type, location of fat extraction, use of liposuction, energy delivered, etc. Generally any lipoisuction procedure would likely take 3 months to achieve a stable result.

Saz22
7 posts
9 Feb 2009

Hi Nikkixx Would you mind me askin where you had it done? & Did it hurt during the procedure at all?

Helene, N.J.
unregistered guest

14 Feb 2009

I had smartlipo % tumescent liposuction 1 wk. ago on my upper/lower abdomen and flanks. I had IV sedation. The procedure lasted 3 hrs.and I'm thrilled with the results. Never had pain, just extreme soreness in those areas, but the results are fantastic and I highly recommend it.

nygirl
1 post
17 Feb 2009

i had smartlipo done yesterday on my upper and lower abs. the pain is ok. i still can't bend but that's because it's still freshly done. i don't understand how women say they feel that they've been hit by a train?! i think it has to do with the doctor/place you get the smartlipo done because i feel fine. of course im taking pain medication. I think because you get this done you have to do your research and make sure you pick a good doctor. I am hopefull to have great results. =)

SmartLipoMD
95 posts
5 Jun 2008

Another great benefit of SmartLipo is that the lasers seal the tiny blood vessels around the fat while they liquefy the fat, which eliminates bruising in most patients and keeps the swelling to a minimum. In our experience, most patients are able to disguise the fact that they have had this minimally-invasive procedure done. There will be some swelling for the first two weeks, but this is disguised by the compression garment you will wear, which is designed to be hidden under your clothes.

Gus
unregistered guest

28 Feb 2009

I was just reading some of the posts here and thought I would share my quick story, not much to tell yet. I'm a guy in my 40's, I had smartlipo on the abs and love handles 3 days ago now. Personally there isn't even a trace of any bruising, it is swollen, but the funny thing is this, the amount that it is swollen is pretty much equal to the amount of fat that was removed. so I really don't see a big difference. Can I tell that there was fat removed regardless of the swelling? Yes I can. As far as pain goes? I thought it kind of tickled during the procedure (seriously) but I also know that people are different on how they interpret pain, I have felt TEN times the pain during a football game. I was much more sore the next day after, but like someone else stated, it was about like how you would feel after a good workout. One more thing (And this I'm curious about) I think I am just a tad more swollen here on day 3 than I was yesterday. I would like to hear more thoughts and testimonies on the swelling, because it's obviously the only thing standing in the way from your final results.

crickle
2 posts
1 Mar 2009

I had Smart Lipo done on my abdomen, Thursday 2/26. I am 3 days post-op and the results are great. I was awake during the procedure and it was not bad at all. I had a few tinges of pain here and there. I only took 1 pain pill and that was the night after the procedure. I was a little sick from the meds that I had taken prior to the procedure and slept all afternoon and night the first night. I had bad drainage and bleeding that soaked my dressings twice. As of yesterday, no more bandage. The incisions are very very small. I hardly even notice them. I do not have any bruising and didn't notice much swelling until this morning. Is this normal and how long does it last? I rested a lot the last 2 days, but it was a little difficult with a 2 year old that didn't understand that I couldn't pick her up. Otherwise, I think everything went great and I am very pleased with the results!! I had several friends that had this done and most told me that I would feel like I had done lots of sit-ups. I have to say that the pain was more than just that. Today,,it does feel like that. No, doesn't feel like I have been hit by a train. A little rest is all it takes.

sanjose61
7 posts
2 Mar 2009

As of now I am 3 weeks post op...and I believe I am still swollen at times..In the morning it seems like the swelling is minimal as my doctor said..some days I will be more swollen than other..But one day 3 and 4 post op..I was the most swollen, My ab felt warm and I even thought I had a fever..but that went away..I am still wearing the garment about 23 hours a day..I am going for a lymphatic massage on Weds. since some they this will help..The pain over all was not too bad I did have alot of bruising..but it is pretty much gone now..and I do have a few lumpy areas, but everyone says they will subside..and to be patient..These posting are great because they let see how everyone else is doing..so keep posting everyone!!!

Gus
2 posts
8 Mar 2009

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.

Bill B
3 posts
9 Mar 2009

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.

Bill B
3 posts
9 Mar 2009

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.

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