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“Smartlipo Swelling (Upper/lower Abs) and Skin Irritation”

Not Sure
Spent: $3,500 in Pennsylvania, USA

Comments (33)

Updated 6 Oct 2009

Posted 5 Oct 2009

I had smartlipo on my upper and lower abdomen because I had a large roll that would appear over the tops of my pants. No matter how much dieting and exercising I did, it would not go away. It wouldn't even shrink a little bit. So I decided to have the lipo so I could sit and bend down more comfortably.

Hi. I had Smartlipo on my upper and lower abdomen about 5 weeks ago. I am still swollen - I look like I have an inflated bicycle inner tube around my lower abdomen - and my abdominal skin feels like a bad sunburn. How long before these issues go away? I am 50 years old if that makes a difference in my recovery time.

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

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Comments (33)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager) 6 Oct 2009

I'm curious if you've had any reduction in swelling over the past 5 weeks?

Here are some related threads on SmartLipo swelling that might also help answer some of your questions: SmartLipo swelling

Good luck with your recovery and please keep us updated on your progress.

Yochell 6 Oct 2009
The swelling seemed to increase after about the 2nd week when I was told I no longer needed to wear my compression garment. Since then, the swelling has remained the same.
cupid 7 Oct 2009
Hi Yochell-I am 5 weeks out also and still have a big roll of fat or swelling-I almost look as bad if not worse than when I went in. I have a follow up on Friday so I'll let you know what he says. I am also wondering if maybe it just doesn't work on some people?
OPTIMUM61 13 Oct 2009
I am about 5 weeks post smart lipo. I also feel bigger and am bigger than I was. I was told at the consultation "if it jiggles" they can remove it. I still jiggle, but I do have hard spots under the jiggle. I am wondering if it doesn't work on everyone. I wear my garment faithfully. I did purchase a spanx high brief, because the garment they gave me have the mid thigh legs which doesn't look right with my pants. I know they say it takes some months to see improvement but this is going to be a magic act. I go back on the 20th, and I will see what they say. I can't even button the pants I could wear before surgery, I find this discouaging.
Chris1968 13 Oct 2009
I am curious to, I am 40 and mine belly has not reduced anywhere. I still look the same, and its been 4 and a half weeks.
Yochell 14 Oct 2009
Hi cupid, how did your follow up go on the 9th? Did your doctor say our rolls and swelling are normal? What are we supposed to do to correct it? I go for my follow up on the 26th. I'll keep you posted. Thanks!
Yochell 14 Oct 2009
Hi OPTIMUM61, please let me know how you make out at your post op on the 20th. I go back on the 26th, but am anxious to compare your doctor's opinions to my doctor's thoughts. I still jiggle, too, and my clothes still feel tight. I am also getting discouraged, but I HATE the thought of going back in for a 'touch up' because of this never ending recovery time!
perfection 18 Oct 2009
I have read all your comments and want you to know that swelling is a normal side effect to lipo. EVEN for many weeks. Be patient. It can take 3 months or longer. I had my knees done and was freaked out the first 2 months. It didn't look good for about 5 months...best after 8 months. I am 3 days out from my inner thighs and banana roll. So far, I am healing amazingly. Be patient, this procedure takes many months to look its best.
Yochell 20 Oct 2009
Hi perfection, thanks for your info. It makes me feel a bit better to know that it may take awhile to see results. However, in the meantime, I'm very discouraged. Hopefully I'll feel more positive soon.
cupid 19 Oct 2009
Hi Yochelle My appt didn't go so well. The dr. cannot figure out why I don't look any different and actually look worse! I have another appt in a month. I am discouraged and can't believe I spent so much money and had so much pain to look the same. So unfortunately no answers
Yochell 20 Oct 2009
Cupid, I'm sorry to hear about your disappointment. I'm disappointed for you, too - and I'm worried for myself since I seem to be in the same boat as you. My appointment is Monday. I'll keep you posted.
perfection 20 Oct 2009
Cupid...how long has it been since you had your procedure? What areas? I may have some advice.
Yochell 20 Oct 2009
Perfection, I'd like to hear your advice, too, since I am still swollen like Cupid. Any advice is welcome! I've been 7 weeks and am very discouraged. Thanks in advance.
cupid 25 Oct 2009
Perfection-it has been 7 weeks and I still have a big belly. Any advice you have would be appreciated. I am thinking it really didn't work??Is that possible?
perfection 21 Oct 2009
What areas did you have done? I am 6 days out. I had inner and outer thighs, and the banana roll...(in between legs, and underneath butt. That area is all connected. ) I am swollen...I don't really look any smaller...however it has only been 6 days. I have talked to several people that remained swollen for 3-5 months, and had lumps and uneveness (divets) up to 8 months...and then it all went away. Most studies show it can take 6-12 months for best, final results. At 7 weeks, my knees still looked bad, and I was VERY discouraged. It took like 6 months for all the side effects to go away, and looked best at 8 months. Hopefully this will be the case for you...just a slow healer. I am suprised your doc had you stop wearing your comp. garment after 2 weeks. I am suppose to wear mine for 6. It does help with swelling...you may want to buy a pair of spanks...they are comfortable, and are a light compression. Not crazy tight. That is what I did. I can't wear that thing for 6 weeks! It is too tight, and from what I have read, if it is very tight, you should not wear it more than a week or 2. Good luck, and keep me updated, as I will too.
perfection 21 Oct 2009
What areas did you have done? I am 6 days out. I had inner and outer thighs, and the banana roll...(in between legs, and underneath butt. That area is all connected. ) I am swollen...I don't really look any smaller...however it has only been 6 days. I have talked to several people that remained swollen for 3-5 months, and had lumps and uneveness (divets) up to 8 months...and then it all went away. Most studies show it can take 6-12 months for best, final results. At 7 weeks, my knees still looked bad, and I was VERY discouraged. It took like 6 months for all the side effects to go away, and looked best at 8 months. Hopefully this will be the case for you...just a slow healer. I am suprised your doc had you stop wearing your comp. garment after 2 weeks. I am suppose to wear mine for 6. It does help with swelling...you may want to buy a pair of spanks...they are comfortable, and are a light compression. Not crazy tight. That is what I did. I can't wear that thing for 6 weeks! It is too tight, and from what I have read, if it is very tight, you should not wear it more than a week or 2. Good luck, and keep me updated, as I will too.
perfection 21 Oct 2009
I miss spelled a bunch of words and accidently posted my comment twice! OOPS...I took a pain pill, and it makes me a little loopy. For some reason, today I am having more pain than usual...?
Yochell 22 Oct 2009
Perfection, I had my upper and lower abdomen done 7 weeks ago. I am still swollen around the middle. Wherever my waistband of my pants falls, I get an indent, which pushes the swelling either above or below the waistband. Then when I get undressed, the swelling rounds out again with 2 bulges - one on each side of my belly button. I go for my follow up Monday. I'll let you know how I make out, and if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.
cupid 25 Oct 2009
Yochell Please keep me posted since you and I seem to be in the same boat. I don't go back for 2 more weeks and have no changes.
Yochell 26 Oct 2009
Hi Cupid, I went to see my doctor today. He thinks the swelling is either fluid or an inflamation. I have to massage the lumpy area fairly hard with a lotion at least 2 times a day to try to break up anything there. He told me not to worry about hurting anything. (I was afraid to massage too hard in case something burst.) Nothing will burst. It might get sore, but it should help the swelling and lumpiness. He wants to see me again in 2 weeks if the swelling hasn't gone down because if the massaging doesn't work, it is probably fluid. Then he will have to drain it. The problem with that, though, is that draining doesn't make the fluid go away in only one treatment. It will come back and need to be drained 2 or 3 times, or more, before it is finally gone. And I will have to be taped tight and wear a garment again. On the plus side - yes, there is one!! - my doctor told me not to give up. Everything WILL eventually go down, even if it takes 6 months or more. I really don't want to wait that long, but at least he says there is nothing to be upset about. Just give it time. He also said to try not to sit all day, and if you do have to sit, sit up straight. Sitting squeezes whatever swelling is there pushing it out which somehow makes it take longer to go away. I'll keep you posted, and you please do the same.
perfection 26 Oct 2009
I am so sorry you are going through this. It sounds like you may be holding water in those places...but so much time has passed, so that is very strange. I am now at day 11, and I am finally seeing a difference in the swelling. My legs barely touch now, where before they would rub together. I am still swollen...so I am looking forward to seeing how it looks in a few weeks. I am still very bruised and uncomfortable. It hurts to sit down, and my skin is VERY sensitive. I am very far from feeling normal. I do not have any lumps or any symptoms you are having. What is your doctor saying?
Yochell 26 Oct 2009
Hi Perfection, I'm glad your procedure is going so well. I'm envious! If my abs had gone better, I was going to consider having my inner thighs done, but now I'm not so sure. I replied to your post above, to Cupid's reply, regarding my doctor's appointment today. It's too long to retype, so please read to hear how my appt went. It wasn't bad news, just advice on how to help my situation and what to do if the advice doesn't work. Please keep me posted on your progress, and if you have any thoughts or suggestions, I'm all ears! Thanks.
perfection 27 Oct 2009
Yochell, I just read your last post. Well, hang in there. All you can do is try to think positive and be patient. I know how hard that is, I went through that too. I am on day 12, and becoming VERY annoyed! I am so uncomfortable when I sit! Ouch. I just want to feel normal. I am not patient when it comes to being uncomfortable. I remember telling myself last time that I would never do lipo again! Over time, one forgets what a PAIN the recovery time is. On a brighter note, my bruises are fading, swelling is going away, and I am seeing results day after day. I should not complain at all. I feel lucky to not be having any complications, as so many people do with lipo. If this makes you feel better, and I may have told you this in a previous post, but I know several people that had complications like yours...but months later were better, and felt that in the end, it was still worth it.
perfection 27 Oct 2009
Yochell, one more thing! Are you taking Arnica? It is a supplement for swelling and bruising. It has really helped with my recovery. You can't take too much...so I eat it like candy. I swear by this stuff. It's worth a try! I couldn't find it at my local drugstore...but you can get it off the web. The brand I use is Vitamedica. Arnica Montana 30X. That is what is on the bottle. It is cheap too.
cupid 27 Oct 2009
Hi Yochelle Thank you so much for keeping me updated. Ugh, drain the fluid? I can think of nothing more unpleasant than having to go through the SmartLipo again!! I am seeing my primary care dr on Friday for his opinion. I'll let you know what he says, but it'll probably be that I have a lot of fluid. I have even taken OTC diuretics to no avail. 6 months? I could've been on a diet and looked better than I do now in 6 months.I am trying to be positive but its hard. I had a crying jag tonight-told my husband I am the only person who has lipo and ends up with a bigger belly than when I started!!

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