How long will I be out of work if I lift up to 70lbs for my job?

While many physicians try to tell patients it is all about the Smart Lipo, here is the secret: It's about the anesthetic that is used prior to doing the procedure. Tumescent liposuction, invented by a dermatologist, is the reason that dermatologists typically have patients up and about the day of the procedure and the reason that my patients go to work the next day or two after surgery.
If your physician tells you the recovery will take more than a day, they are not doing the tumescent method and you are going to have extra bruising and much more risk from your procedure. Additionally, you are probably going to have a bit more lumpiness after the procedure as well.
Smart Lipo only refers to the laser portion done after the tumescent liposuction. What we do in my clinic is to numb up the area with the tumescent formula. This is done over a period of about 2 hours while the patient is awake and watching TV or talking with the nurse. Then, the Smart Lipo part is done and this is followed by suctioning of the fat. This, too, is done with the patient awake, which allows us to see how the area looks for real after the procedure. When a patient is under strong anesthesia or, goodness forbid, general anesthesia, the look of the area is very different than when they are awake. This is one reason that tumescent method is so much better than any other method and the reason that patients done in this way have superior results.
It takes a bit longer and patients can't be lined up like dominos to be done, but the results are well worth it. The recovery time is so much different as well.
I can point to patients who are nurses who have pulled 12 hour night shifts the day of the surgery and guys who have baled hay that day or women who have gone on a treadmill that day. No other method can even begin to say they can do this.
So, what it all comes down to is NOT the laser, but the method the surgeon (preferably dermatologist) is using. It pays to ask questions prior to your surgery or you will be bruised, tender and out of work for longer than necessary if you don't do the right method.

Most of my patients return back to work 1-2 days after Smart Lipo. Smart Lipo is less invasive and patients can return to normal activity quicker. You will be swollen and sore as if you had a really good workout, but this subsides over the next week or two. 
Have a great recovery! 

While recovery times can vary from patient to patient, most can typically have a SmartLipo procedure on a Friday and have the weekend to relax before returning to work with some soreness on Monday.  I always advise giving yourself a couple of days to take it easy before returning to work. In regards to strenuous exercise, I typically advise allowing a couple of weeks before easing back in to a workout routine, and until then self-limit.  If you feel pulling or straining with any activity, cease that activity immediately.  If your job requires that you lift 70+ pounds, I would consult your plastic surgeon, but anticipate taking off of work for 2-3 weeks.

Thank you for your question.  Many of my patients return to work the next day or take the weekend off.  They can resume exercising in 2 weeks.  If you plan to go back to work and lifting 70lbs and pulling heavy items, I would wait a minimum of 2-3 weeks to return to work.

Downtime varies, but usually you should avoid strenuous activity for about one to two weeks after your liposuction. Best, Dr. Karamanoukian Los Angeles

Our patients with jobs that require driving to work and sitting at a computer or similar are out for 2 days, and for a job that requires heavy lifting with pressure against the abdomen, it might be 10-14 days, but probably less. There is always some pressure, tingling and numb feelings, as well as some discomfort than can last for several weeks, but that shouldn't keep you from going back to work.