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I had Smart Lipo surgery on May 1. I had my upper and lower ab area and my love handles done. So far I am not very happy with the results on my upper and lower abs. Can anyone tell me why I have hard lumpy areas around the lower ab area? I went in for my one week post op appt and they told me that everything looked great and I was still swollen.
I have another appt next week. I understand about the swelling but I don't understand about the hard areas. Can anyone give me any help with this? Also how long will it take before the lower part of my stomach gets flatter? The upper part is pretty flat but the lower part is not at all. How long does it actually take to start seeing more results?
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5/14/08
Hi Kat30--
Sounds like I have the same situation as you; I had my upper and lower abs down on April 30, and while at first the results were great--my stomach was flat, smoother, and smaller, my stomach has been turning hard and lumpy since maybe day 7, getting worse up till now. Like you I've also been looking for answers on this website and others, and will let you know if I read anything good (it'd be great if you could do the same!)
I can say that I'm generally still optimistic for my situation (and yours), because I think the lumps are uneven swelling vs. anything permanent. My reasoning is that I stopped wearing my compression garments about 4 days ago, and now when I wear clothes with waistbands that kind of dig in, the lumpy areas getting pressed on by the waistband, while not necessarily getting reshaped, they get pushed back and stay that way for a while after I change clothes, and I think this means that it's fluid or some other kind of mushy deposits that haven't settled in yet.
So my fingers are crossed and I think things will get better. Take a look at this thread, and search for comments from "happytummy" on it. It sounds like she may have had something similar and it turned out better over some time.
Out of curiosity, I'm wondering if our bodies are similar in some way that made us experience this hard lumpiness more than others. On my side, I am overall athletic and didn't get much sucked out--and my pooch (which extended up to my ribcage) wasn't the really soft or big kind but just kind of excessive and uneven. My skin is also quite elastic. I didn't bruise or swell much (I took arnica and bromelin before and after) and while I'm overall smaller than I was before surgery, I know even not considering the lumps that I'm still swollen, esp in the lower abs, like you. There is also still some tenderness to the touch, but I can massage lightly at this point. (but it's hard to grip the lumps!) Was your experience similar?
here's hoping for the best!
5/15/08
I had the procedure done on the 21st of April. I am pleased with my results overall but also have some hard lumpiness too. From everything I've read on this site it seems like it is pretty normal and will get better with time. I have been trying to massage the area and it does seem to help. For me I had alot of loose skin in my lower ab and now it's tight instead of hanging to maybe that's why I'm still happy with my result.
5/15/08
Yes my situation is similar. I started out loving the way everything looked. Flat and smooth. I did have some bruising but nothing like I thought it would be. But now it doesn't look anything like it did in the beginning. I'm still wearing my compression garment, they told me to wear it everyday for 2 weeks. So today is my last day to wear it. I have another post-op appt with the doctor on Wednesday so I'm hoping to get some answers. I have been doing light massages but I'm not sure if it's helping. I understand about swelling from surgery but this seems to be something other than swelling. I just hope that eventually I will be happy with the results. It's good to know that other people are going through the same thing, that really helps. Hope everything works out for you as well. Thanks so much!
5/16/08
Hello, I too had smartlipo on my lower & upper ab's. I am happy with the results. It will be three weeks for me on Monday. However, I too have the hardness, with the lower abs being the worst. I asked my dr. about this & he said not to worry it will go away & it's my body doing it's thing after smartlipo.
I also have more swelling on the lower abs w/ most of it being gone on the upper ab's.
I'm schedule for my flanks & touchup on the lower abs first week in June. However, am worried to do more if this is the result w/ hardness.
I try to massage as well.
5/16/08
Good news! I just called my doctor, who by the way was great, very attentive, nice, and seemed completely competent and honest (before/during/after surgery). For some reason I had decided to wait it out a little bit before calling, because I suspected the lumpiness was somewhat normal, but now I wanted to hear reassurance from the doctor himself.
He said that it is certainly normal to have hard lumpiness after surgery. This he said was fibrosis, a particular kind of internal scarring that is actually a desired effect of the SmartLipo laser. I'm post surgery at 2.5 weeks, and he said by week 4-6 it should go away--it will convert to soft tissue. He said perhaps 1 out of 3 patients get this, and that it's much more common on the abdomen (I had my upper and lower done) because it's a large flat surface. For those reasons, he didn't include it on the general post-op guidelines. As it is a kind of scarring and healing, he said massage and hot baths (or towels) would be good---anything to increase blood circulation will help the healing along a little more quickly.
I trust him overall and he definitely expressed that this is fine; I really think things will get better for us!
5/17/08
I had Smartlipo with suction 2 weeks and 2 days ago on the upper and lower abdomen and I have a hard lump an inch or two under my ribs that extends across my stomach. I call it my "speed bump :)". My Dr says that this is completely normal and to begin massaging my entire abdomen using my three middle fingers, lying down, starting in the middle top portion of my belly and pushing firmly, slowly dragging across the width of my stomach in a spreading motion (sorry for run on sentence). My upper abdomen was chubby, but my skin was/ is elastic above the navel. My lower stomach was a saggy, wrinkly, "kangaroo pouch" and looked flat and cured after surgery while still wearing compression garment. Now that I've been garment free for 3 days the loose skin is making an appearance once again. My lower abdomen is "tighter" in that I can feel "abs" underneath and my "kangaroo pouch" doesn't hang below my pantie line. But... what used to be filled-out, drooped wrinkles is now a small, square pouch under my belly button that looks like I got mauled by a tiger!. My belly button is also very odd shaped. Has anyone else had belly button shape problems? Will it go away?!?
5/17/08
My belly button is a lot smaller and it seems to keep getting that way. Under my belly button looks very similar to what you are describing, except I have those hard lumps there also. I have another post-op appt with my doctor this week so I'm going to try and get all my questions answered. Everyone keeps telling me to be realistic because it's only been a little over 2 weeks, but I can't help it.
5/17/08
Before I had any surgery I also had a consult on traditional lipo and that doctor told me that he recommended a mini tummy tuck for me for my post baby belly. When I went for the smart lipo consult he told me that he thought the smart lipo would significantly help my belly but he couldn't guarantee I would have a smooth belly since I had some stretch marks and loose skin there. I decided at that time to go with the smart lipo and see how everything looked from that before I would decide on any cutting and stitches. My stomach has those hard lumps, which I massage, and it really helps. It's really hard to be patient but I think that the results are going to keep getting better. It does help reading everyone's comments to reassure myself that everything is normal. I'm at almost 4 weeks since my surgery. I have also started doing some light ab work too. I'm not sure how much I should be doing, I've been just going with how much I think I can do without hurting myself. Is anyone else doing ab exercises at this point?
5/19/08
Yes, my belly button is also a little odd shape & smaller. I think its from the tightening of the skin & swelling, etc. It will be 3 weeks for me tomorrow since my smart lipo on the lower & upper abs.
Having flanks & touch up on lower ab in a few weeks. But, still sooooo worried to do it because of the hardness.
I still wear my compression garmentns 12 hours a day. I don't feel comfortable w/out them, just to tender to walk around & such w/out them.
I'll be anxious to hear what your dr. says so we can keep comparing.
Hope you'll share!
5/19/08
Yes, I agree w/ you on it helps to read & reply to others comments. It does help mentally!
My dr told me to start doing sit ups 2 weeks post op. I just need to be more faithful about doing them twice a day!
It will be 3 weeks for me tomorrow since my SL.
I do massage about every other day. I'm always sore the next day & will not do massage again till the next day.
5/19/08
When you say you look like you've been mauled by a tiger..is it your stretch marks that have come together with the tightening of the skin? Mine did that. I never could see on stretch mark before on my body. I see where I had them now from pregnancy.
But, still overall like my results a lot. Just the hardness is worrying me!
5/19/08
I had my upper & lower abs, flanks and back done all at the same time. My lower ab is the only place I have those hard bumps which seem to be getting better all the time. All through my hips, flanks and back are just smaller and shaplier. I don't have any lumps at all, just tenderness. In fact, my hip/flank area was more tender after my surgery than my stomach ever was. But to me, that was my trouble area, and I'm so thrilled with the result. If you feel comfortable with your doctor's skills I think you'll be happy with your results. Good luck to you. Can I ask though why you're getting a touch up in your lower ab already?
5/19/08
Has anyone who is 50ish had smart lip done with good results on lots of sagging skin like I have? I don't have that nice elastic skin like I used to have and since losing 100 lbs. I need to do something about this sagging skin and fat I still can't lose. I would like to try smart lipo because of the tightening effect it claims to have. I have lots of fat left on my legs plus sagging skin there and also on my stomach and under arms.
5/20/08
The hardness is an inflammatory response. I had it too and have had two lymphatic drainage treatments (my doctor does for free after your smartlipo) which have helped a lot. The doctor did say it would go away on its own in time, but the lymphatic massages are getting everything moving faster. My surgery was one month ago, for reference. The results take time, and I wonder about the unhappy "not worth it" reviews being posted just days after surgery.
5/20/08
I should be more specific, because if you're like me you don't know what lymphatic massage until after you get smartlipo - they go over the hard areas with an ultrasound that creates warmth under the skin (you cannot feel the warmth) and then use this big subdermal massager thing on the areas that are hard. It is not a pleasant feeling while it's happening because my hard areas are swollen and painful to the touch, but the end result has been a major decrease in the size of the hard areas. They're mostly gone and I was told they will go away on their own unless I just want to keep doing the massages.
Also, if you're unsure about your results, look back at your pre-surgery photos. My back is not perfect, but when I looked at the old pics I was shocked. It didn't take long to get used to the new me, lol. Can't wait to see the results three months down the road.
5/20/08
I am happy with my results, thus far, 3 weeks after my smart lipo. It's just the hardness that is worrisome. I'm always sore the next day after I do massage on myself & then have to wait a day.
I definately look better & feel better about myself after the smart lipo. I just don't like this hardness.
I guess I will look into this lymphatic massage. Do I just call a massage place?
I am told by my dr. & nurse that the flanks are the most sore part on the body afterwards. I'm having that done in 3 weeks along with any touchup needed on the lower abs.
I can't wait to do my arms. I've heard some of the girls here talk about burning afterwards for quite some time in the arms after smart lipo.
Anyone have that problem?
5/22/08
I had that same "burning" feeling in my flanks after I got them done. It seems to happen when you stretch from getting up from a soft surface, like a couch. It is kind of a strange feeling but that only lasted maybe a week or so after I stopped wearing the garmet. For me, now 4 weeks from my surgery, I still feel pain when I workout with any jumping. It feels like the internal tissues that have healed together are ripping away. Of course I don't do much because it worries me a bit plus it's painful. But each day I still feel a little better than the day before, so I try to keep focused on that.
5/27/08
I had SmartLipo of tummy, inner upper thighs, & inner knees 4 weeks ago. The first week was ok, but worse than I'd been told. Now I am having constant burning pain in abd. area & inner thighs. Wearing clothes is uncomfortable & gets worse the longer I wear anything next to my skin. There's hard lumpiness throughout the abd. & some in the thighs & knees. The skin looks normal first thing in the morning, but takes on a funny mottled color--not really bruised-- as the day goes on, as does the swelling. There's a cleft on the front of both thighs, esp. on the right, where you can tell it's where he started the inner thigh procedure. Will this go away? And both knees have an area that appears caved in. Legs, altogether, look worse than before. Abd. is flatter, but definitely not pretty. The doctor had a great reputation & is a "teacher" of SmartLipo. I found him unprofessional & very rushed, as in "the more procedures he can do the more money he can make". Would I do it again? Probably not -- at least, not with this surgeon. Can anyone comment about any of the problems I'm having? I'm pretty discouraged at this point.
5/28/08
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5/28/08
Hello,
I had my upper & lower abs done 5 weeks ago. I am really doing much better this week, the 5th one.
I too had/have the coloring you are talking about. Mine is getting better, little by little.
I have not experienced the burning you are referring to. I have read here where several have. That worries me greatly! I have many more plans for more smart lipo, my next one in two weeks on my flanks/hips areas.
I too well eventually have my thighs & knees , arms done.
I have the lumpiness/hardness too. It has gotten better with time. My doctor told me from the get go that I might not look so pretty under the clothes, but would feel great in them. I do. It's true. However, I do have more self confidence, have lost weight, gone down sizes & want to keep going. I am dieting also.
I am going to call my dr tomorrow to ask about this burning.
Good luck to you...it does get better!
5/28/08
I am now 4 weeks post-op. I had my upper and lower abs and love handles done. I had the same burning pain for the first day but I haven't had it since then. I am still unable to wear jeans because it is so uncomfortable. I still have discomfort in those areas but I had pain for a lot longer than I thought I would. This past Monday night was the first time I've been able to sleep on my sides. I still have the hard lumps, which my doctor told me just last week that it's normal and for me to massage the areas at least 20 minutes everyday with baby oil. I'm not very happy with the way everything looks yet. It's starting to look a little better so I'm still hopeful.
5/28/08
Many people experience some sort of hard lump or two during the healing phase. These are part of the normal healing process.
As many of you have pointed out, lymphatic drainage massage helps a lot. Traditional massage is also somewhat effective. Even if you left it alone, they would resolve in a couple of months.
If you have ANY concerns about ANYTHING following your procedure, always see your physician. A simple "lump" to one person could be an real "problem". However, it sounds like what has been described is a transient healing phase.
5/29/08
I had smart lipo done on my upper and lower stomach on may 2nd I also have the burning in the center of my stomach around the belly button and cannot stand anything touching it. I have a lot of swelling and it has been more painful than I expected and I have a hard lump which is like a half moon above my pubic bone that doesnt seem to get smaller it almost looks like an italian sausage under the skin horizontally. I know my stomach looks smaller but uneven my belly button isnt centered like it was and it looks like a horizonatal slit instead of a belly button. The skin looks dimpled like cellulite which i never had and it is very uneven and in the last couple days feel almost bigger than i did the first three weeks and im going into my forth week. I have also had more pain the last couple days and i am a little confused since i was starting to feel better. I actually had to take vicoden before i went to bed last night and i only took it a few days after the surgery. I made an appt with the doctor that did the surgery for tomorrow since my original excitement all of a sudden is worry and I am wondering if i should have just left it alone. I wasnt huge to begin with just a pooch and my skin was smooth and nice since i havent had children. I wasn't horrified to wear a bikini in public although I didn't like my stomach but I am horrified now i would have rather have had a chubby stomach than look disfigured and distorted. I am discourged too and and angry that i put myself through 4 weeks of hell. My doctor also is a teacher of lipo. What state are you in. I am wondering if we had the same doctor. Maybe we are both over reacting and I am hoping that in a couple weeks we will be thrilled with it. Right now I am discouraged too a little scared and pissed that I even put myself through this. I don't know anyone personally that had it done. My last doctor visit they said this is normal. I wish i could help you feel better but i am exactly where you are at if i learn anything new i will keep u posted
5/29/08
I'm in Texas, Where are you located at?
I'm so sorry you're past weeks have been so rough. I truely believe it will get better.
I'm so worried about the burning you & others experienced. I haven't had that & hope I never experience it. I have several
smart lipos planned. Next one being on June 9th for the flanks.
They told me it would be the one where I would be the most sore & for the greatest length of time.
5/29/08
I'm in Florida. I'm sorry you're having some of the same problems I'm having. I researched this WELL before surgery & nowhere did I see any of the problems we're discussing. Was lead to believe it was a "walk in the park". I'm like you (especially with my legs)--I was better off before. No way will I wear a swim suit this year! I see my doctor late next week; really curious what he will say. He has not seen me since surgery -- only his nurse.
5/29/08
Thank you for your comments. However, you only commented on one of the problems I am experiencing. And there are many more than "one or two" lumps. What about the intense burning I'm experiencing? And the obvious (for lack of a better word) "clefts" on my thighs -- will they resolve? Have to be re-operated on? Will the surgical areas always be discolored?I do not see my doctor until late next week, which will be the first time I've seen him since surgery, as his nurse sees the post ops. I have been in contact by phone, as the office is 1.5 hrs. away, but not with the doctor--only the nurse.
5/29/08
Yep, everyone wants you to think this is no big deal...and most of the initial reviews (pre-April) reinforced that. But it is surgery, and definitely has been a longer recovery time than I expected. I think I have had a good result (arms, back, flanks, full abs) but my arm improvement is a bit underwhelming. The conclusion I have come to regarding smartlipo and thighs is don't do it. Seems like no one is getting a good result.
5/29/08
Yes! I agree on not having smart lipo on thighs.I have heard only bad results. Tempted to do the inner thighs, but always keep hearing bad results.
5/29/08
How does one find out about who performs the lymphatic drainage? I'm in the Houston area.
5/29/08
Just found out from my dr that the burning is nerve damage caused by the canulus (spelling??? the tool they use to go in with & melt the fat, etc) bumping into the nerves & causing bruising, thus having the nerves to regenerate there where they were "injured".
I am told it will last for several weeks, isn't constant & does go away.
Soooooo scary!!
5/29/08
I too was more sore than ever expected & still wear compression garments for 12 hours a day. I actually feel better with them on then off, although not exactly comfortable much anymore--just tired of it! Oh, and its' been 5 1/2 weeks for me.
5/30/08
I'm at 5 1/2 weeks also. I have to say that I'm feeling pretty close to normal. The only time I feel any pain is when I do jumping during my gym classes. So I just keep it lower. But I am back to exercising 6X a week and I also feel comfortable doing abs again. The burning sensation, which I hear is the nerves regenerating, is gone. I still have some irregular lumpiness on my lower ab but it's getting better. I agree, everything I've read about doing the legs scares me. I was considering it but I don't think I'll tempt fate again. Since I'm happy with my abs, back & flanks results I'll just consider myself lucky since I've been reading so many unhappy results with the legs. This website was one of the biggest reasons I went through with my surgery....the pre-April results had smartlipo at 98% satisfaction rate but it's been steadily dropping.
5/31/08
Hi, WHere in Florida are you located? I am in WPB and am trying to find a place to go for the SL. I went to a Doc in Boca but didn't get a good feeling from him. Was your doctor a plastic surgeon? HOw are you doing now? WOuld you recommend SL?
6/3/08
I had the old fashioned lipo about 8 years ago, on my thighs and knee area. The skin is loose and you can see mottled texture from where the wand must have been scraping around inside. I would not say it is an improvement over my old thighs, which were solid but just big. I still have plenty of heaviness on top of my knees. Only thing the lipo did was suck out a bit of bulk at my hips, which did not come back. But it is a bit concave there, like a runner. Another plastic surgeon let me know it wasnt such a great job, in her opinion. I have had to exercise twice as hard in the last 9 years just to keep my body from going soft and fat. The lipo did not remove the burden of hard exercise. But please keep in mind I am now 43, which may account for the softness and weigh t fat distribution.
6/5/08
I'm an hour & a half north of Orlando -- my doctor is in Orlando, & yes, he is a plastic surgeon. As for recommending SL.............well, at this point I'm not sure. I, for sure, wouldn't get the legs part done again. I'll probably never wear a bathing suit again. Maybe the tummy, as it is covered up most of the time (no bikinis for me!)
6/11/08
Hi Balsuz. Did you ever find out where there is a lymphatic drain masseuse in Houston?? I am having smartlipo on the 27th and want to get everything lined up in advance if possible. How are your results now? What areas did you get done?
6/11/08
Ask your doctor, and if they don't offer it call around to the med spas. This is not performed with hands - it is performed with ultrasound equipment and a big powerful massager. The ultrasound warms up the dermis (though you can't feel it happening) and then they run this massage head down each area over and over again. It isn't pleasant when the areas are already sore but it's bearable to a point, and really did help me a lot.
6/12/08
I'm a 46 year old male. I had smart lipo with suction six weeks ago. Flanks and chest. I will now have 10 one-hour Triactive treatments in those areas. (Total for everything: $6,000). I am reserving judgment on my final result until the Triactive treatments are complete (but I like what I see so far!). My two cents is to give your result time to heal and reveal itself before concluding that it was a failure. Two or four weeks is, in my opinion, way too early to give up on your result. Hang in there!
6/12/08
Hi everyone. I posted a two weeks ago, when I was 2 weeks post having Smart Lipo done on my upper and lower abs. At the time, I had started seeing lumpiness and hardness--quite severe, visible to the eye, and entirely untouchable--and was worried that it wouldn't go away. Now it's about 5 weeks post surgery (April 30 was my surgery date) and I am getting happier and happier with my results. After this, i'm DEFinitely writing a "WAS worth it" entry. The lumpiness definitely has gone down, almost entirely gone on my upper abs, and dramatic improvements in my lower, though there is still some but I'm sure that it'll go away, it'll just take longer. Moreover, my overall goal is definitely coming into reality. I was sort of different in my reasons for SmartLipo, in that volume / size of my pooch was one minor thing, but my number 1 goal was to get better texture in my stomach, which was really bad. I thought that I had had cellulite, but my doc said that it was actually just a disproportionately high proportion of fat for me, that was showing in a funky way--I did believe him, cause it didn't really look like the cellulite I saw in pictures; it was little, shallow dents that were just really weird and ugly. I def got results in both areas. I'm smaller, and their really weird lumpiness (not the same kind as post-surgery lumpiness) has definitely gone down a lot. Clothes look fantastic on me, and I think I'll look pretty good bare once all the swelling/lumpiness is gone, which I'd expect to be in about a month.
SmartLipo was most definitely worth it for me.
6/12/08
I am also having it done in the Houston area in July. Who is your doctor and why did you choose him / her over the other ones that offer smart lipo in this area. Thanks!
6/14/08
Lumpiness can occur with both SmartLipo and traditional lipo. This is normal with either. It will go away. If you have lumpiness, you can massage or knead the area which will help to speed the process. Either way, your body will eventually process it; your skin will become tighter and you will have a very normal appearance.
7/17/08
im in fl too and my doc was a so called teacher -so i wonder if we had the same one?? he seemed really rushed with me and i was in and out in about an 1hr. For my follow up i met with the nurse who was friendly but ver quick with me as well! i have had my upper arms done and see absolutley no difference at ALL and im going on my 8th post op day so im a lil worried myself.Im trying to be patiend and give it the 6 months they failed to mention it would take in my consultation . so i dont know what to think about all of this. Well good luck
9/7/08
How do you feel about your smart lipo now. Does anyone know if you have to be at your ideal weight to be happy with this procedure as I am 168 lbs but have mostly belly fat. Just thought It would be nice to have some help as I do exercise and eat healthy. Also I am curious what Dr did your lipo in NC?
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9/8/08
I am now 4 1/2 months out and still not very happy with the results. Skin in all areas looks mottled; knees both have sunken in places that are very noticable; thighs are just plain ugly...baggy skin, discoloration, and a very noticable cleft where the smart lipo was started. Tummy, although feels fairly soft, looks lumpy & mottled, and the places he missed are very obvious. On last visit 2 weeks ago he said I would need some "touch-up, feathering, & thermage treatment". I told him I'd have to think about it. I just don't see having him do MORE when I'm not happy with what he's already done. Any thoughts from anyone out there?
9/10/08
Hi Kat30 Can you tell me who did your lipo in North Carolina? Are you happy with yours?
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