How was your Smartlipo recovery?

DrBernstein 9 Oct 2008

You have made a good choice in selecting SmartLipo as it has a much shorter recovery-period as compared with 'traditional' tumescent liposuction combined with its ability to provide skin-tightening for an enhanced aesthetic outcome. You should understand that as with all lipsoctions, you won't see your final/best result for a good couple of months. My standard post-treatment protocol is to have my patients start light activities and low-impact aerobic exercise the next day. You will most likely experience significant drainage on day one, so be prepared. After 1 week, there are usually no limitations on activities. Most of my patients with non-strenuous jobs can return to work the same day, although I recommend to wait for post-op day 2 due to the excessive draining and its subsequent inconvenience. In your case (a job with heavy-lifing and/or strenuous activity), I would recommend waiting the full week before going back to work. This may seem conservative to some, but I tend to err on the side of patient safety versus convenience. Good luck with your procedure! Dr. Bernstein

Shell7777 (unregistered guest) 3 Mar 2009

Are you kidding me? I had smartlipo one week ago on my abs and flanks and I am sore as can be. In bed and on meds for 2 days. I am happy with my results, but today will be the first day I am going to WALK 1 mile on my treadmill. I work out 3 times a week normally. I had almost 2 liters out. I thought was quite a bit and it took about 4 hours during the procedure. Maybe little jobs you can get back to work, but be prepared for some time off.

crossyourfingers 11 May 2010

I completely agree. The next day was very painful and took a full week before I could even bend down to put my own shoes on. This next day back to work thing and no pain, I just do not get it!

Cali-gal 1 Jul 2010

I agree with you Shell7777. I had my procedure a week ago today and am actually the most swollen I have been. Still can't tie my shoes or shave my legs. LOL! How are you feeling/looking now?!

7619anon 30 Aug 2010

I just had Smartlipo just last week and went back to work the next day and yes, you will have drainage but it stop the next day. I am still a little swollen with very little pain, was it worth it...well the jury is still out on that, I'll let you guys know in a few months....

gmoney69 17 Sep 2010

Dr. Bernstein, is it true that it takes up to 4-6 months to get your final smartlipo results???

sl2010 17 Nov 2010

I just had smartlipo yesterday, and theres no way i could have gone to work today! The pain is easing up, and its more of a soreness now, kinda like i did too many crunches.....cant wait to see my final results

chontelle 25 Mar 2011

I TOTALLY AGREE .That is a joke I was clueless all the you tube and today show etc..etc.. have you fooled.I had 3 liters abs,innerand outer.It took 2 to 3 weeks before i was comfortable going to the gym and still don't have all my energy back.

Heartispure 10 Sep 2011

I thought it was just me, really felt like I was being a cry baby because it has been 5 weeks since my procedure and I am still hurting like hell. My doctor was great, but he told me the pain varies from patient to patient but is generally minimal. YEAH RIGHT. I literally cried on the table, ti hurt so bad. The swelling, soreness and pain persists even 6 weeks out. The results are beginning to show but not fast enough for my taste. I don't recommend that you believe the hype when they tell you that you can go back to work the next day...hogwash!!

AllyMcBeal 21 Sep 2011

Dr. Bernstein,
I'm really satisfied with my result. I just had my procedure Monday and I'm feeling great; I'm going back to work tomorrow, Thursday. I had a pretty healthy lifestyle; cardiovascular activity 3 times a week and weight lifting alternate days before my procedure and I run 2 times a week. I ate pretty healthy before and now. The drainage last day 2; today is day 3 no drainage. I still have bruising and a little of swelling, but nothing major. I was pretty small to start with anyway, I just have belly fat that did not go away after two kids. It really a case by case basis; some will have longer recovery and some shorter. Good luck ladies and just be patient the results will come.

Gilmore 5 Nov 2011

I just had smartlipo a week and two days ago, yesterday was the first time I was able to work out, and I extremely sore and did not work out effectively. I have to agree with Shell777, Dr. Bernstein suggest we can go to work the next day, and there's no limitation, please if you get this procedure listen to your body not some one who performs the surgery. we are different in many ways. Maybe one person can return to work the next, I'm still shaking my head at that, but maybe, but listen to your body it will not lie to you.

Berniece 20 Nov 2011

Just had smart lipo 2days ago ...it was not as bad as a lot of the blogs I have read...I feel great and can't wait to see results. My only question is I had chin lipo and the doc didn't give me any sort of chin strap ...should I have one?...everyone I read on here has had to wear it?

HIG 20 Nov 2011

Berniece: Thanks for the info. I am considering do the chin lipo, though I am curious how I can actually keep it hidden from co workers. Did you have brusing on your face? I plan to take off work for a week atleast, so I am curious what much brusing and swelling there will be a week later..and I am curious if it hurts to talk (open and close mouth)? Thanks!

Berniece 25 Nov 2011

Hi ...I had no bruising at all and most of the swelling went down by the next day. I had a small bandaid on that no one noticed. Today has been a week and I can feel it getting even tighter now. I never had any trouble talking or pain at all.....just make sure u get a good doc and you will do great!

sdwen 28 Nov 2011

I agree with your post. I cried on the table as well and they finally decided to put me out. Even then, I was aware of the pain twice and spoke out the words OUCH even though I couldn't open my eyes. It was SO painful. Recovery hasn't been too bad but I'm one week out and just now leaving the house and going to work. The first week was laying on the couch and getting light headed if I walked around.

HIG 29 Nov 2011

sdwen what locations did you have the lipo done at?

sdwen 30 Nov 2011

I had it done by a board certified plastic surgeon in Wichita, KS. He told me he's had one other patient who has experienced the pain that I had. I must be in the small percentage of people who can't tolerate pain well. :(

Berniece 30 Nov 2011

Hi swdn.....Im sorry you had such a bad experience. I think with procedures like this there are many thing to consider. I feel very lucky thatni had no pain at all while getting my procedure done. I hope your results are great and the pain quickly forgotten. I go back for my two week check up tomorrow. I feel great.... I will keep you posted

Sore Boy 2 Dec 2011

I totally agree. You will be VERY sore! I am 3 days post abdominal laser lipo. Already looking trimmer. Imagine a small car driving over your abdomen. That's what it feels like has happened to you. Also because it's healing it itches bad at times.

NewbodyMelanie 24 Jan 2012

Bernice,
I had my chin lipo last Tuesday. I have brusing on my neck still. It looks like someone tried to strangle me. It hurts, but is not that much, more like an ache. It is also still numb where the lipo was done. If you have a good doctor he does it up to the sides too, so it just is not under your chin.
I would give a week to a week and a half before going back to work. You also have to wear a chin strap for 24 hours for a while. It will be a week and 6 days when I take mine off. Even then, I will wear it at night sleeping.

bando 11 Feb 2012

I had a smartlipo in december and cant really see much results. I only had the abdomen problem as I am fit and eat healthy but I am wondering if I will really look different in a few months as I see no difference at all! After the operation, I went back to work the following day. I was swollen and my abdoment heart but nothing major, in fact a toothache is more painful. anyone that had a lipo over 6 months ago, please confirm if the results are sooner than 6 months or if they really show around that time.

dkgaustin 11 Feb 2012

Well, I can say that I can see a difference, but not as significant as I had hoped. I too am quite healthy/fit. I'm vegan/raw for over 24 years and workout daily. I just had to have what they call a redirect surgery on my inner thighs because there were very noticable holes on each of my inner thighs. I am 4 weeks out on that and it looks MUCH better. In May, it will be a year since I had abs, inner/outer thighs and love handle area done. Like I said, I am fairly happy, just disappointed that the results were not more significant.

NewbodyMelanie 19 Feb 2012

I had chin lipo. they told me I had to wear the chin strap for two weeks. I had taken a couple weeks off for it and other Smart Lipo procedures. I would say two weeks to be on the safe side. When I tried not to wear the chin strap for those two weeks it felt uncomfortabe not to have it. It felt like you chin is dropping. It's 4 and a half weeks out and I still feel numb and tender and sore to the touch, but it was really, really worth it. No pain, no gain.

tres 3 Mar 2012

Curious how your results ended up. I just had my arms, upper and lower abdomen, and upper bra line done 2/21/12. Im 11 days out and still hurt quite abit. Most posts state they can go to work in a couple days. I am just now to the part that I can tie my own shoes. Hurt like hell still especially in my stomach. Very lumpy and bumpy but they say massage after two weeks out. I return to work this Monday, being almost 2 wks out and am alittle nervous as my job is very aggressive. Just wanting to know how you feel about your results. You are one of the most realistic posts I have read. Thank you!

NewbodyMelanie 3 Mar 2012

Tres,
I had 2 post operative body suits from Merana that I wore for 5 and a half weeks. It is the best post-op thing that I did. It will help flatten the lumps.
The lumps that you are getting are from the clothes that you wear. I did not have any lumps until I stopped wearing the bodysuit and started with my own clothes. It goes away in the next day or two, I have never ever massaged it. I did when I saw the lumps for a couple of minutes the first time. I showed it to my husband and he said you are still swollen, it will go away. It went away the next day. I am still numb on my stomach and under my chin for 7 weeks. I still get lumps but it doesn't bother me because Iknow it's just reacting to the lipo. I give it 2 more weeks before it goes away. I do have a blog on Real Self of my experiences with it. I love the results though and as long as I get lumps I know that I will get smaller because I am still swollen. It still hurts a little bit on my braline when I stretch and a little in the tummy, but hey, I am two inches smaller than what I was with a flat stomach. It is worth it, even though because of the pain you may think it is not at times. I am very happy with the results.
Any other questions, just let me know, Good luck.