Adam Wallach, MD

Swelling after liposuction is standard.  In fact, immediately after neck liposuction we sit our patients upright to ensure adequate fat removal.  At this point there is typically very little swelling.  Then, within days, the swelling begins and takes a week or so to come down again.  We prepare our patients for these swings as it can be disconcerting to see an immediate improvement and then a worsening.

It is true, there is discomfort with Ultherapy.  Many patients have undergone the treatment with just Ibuprofen, (myself included) and have done quite well.  Other patients will need a little more. For those patients we offer medication as an option, so the procedure is more easily tolerated. These patients will require a ride home. There are also techniques and adjustments that can be made to improve a patient's comfort level. Once the treatment is complete, it is not uncommon to experience some swelling, tenderness, and numbness. When using the most superficial transducer, some welting may also occur.  These side effects are all temporary and will resolve with time.

Ultherapy works gradually because it is promoting new collagen growth.  Unlike fillers, results are not immediate.  It will take time for new collagen growth to occur.  This process can take 2 to 3 months with final result around 6 months.  Be patient the benefits are worth it, building up your foundation is key to a more youthful looking you!

Ultherapy works by stimulating the growth of new collagen in multiple depths of the skin. How we age has a lot to do with the elements we are exposed to, skin type ect.  Patients treated with Ultherapy will see lifting gradually as the collagen builds over 2-3 months and can continue to improve up to 6 months. Once you achieve your full result, the normal aging process continues, your results will not wear off or suddenly disappear. Think of it as turning the clock back a bit. To answer your question there is no definite time frame, but it is safe to say that the results can last 1.5 to 2 years.

Hello cleogirl33,

Great Question!  Coolsculpting is a great way to remove fat from problem areas like the upper arms. One treatment would eliminate 20 to 25 percent of the fat cells in the treated area. Some people will need two treatments.  These fat cells are gone forever, they do not come back, although you could in theory regain the fat, if in those treated areas the remaining fat cells were to expand significantly.  In practice, most patients tend to be inspired by their results and adjust their lifestyle (diet and exercise) to further support their initial success.  Liposuction is an invasive treatment and takes longer to heal, but would provide more immediate results once the swelling is diminished. Coolsculpting takes approximately 3 months for the results to be seen, it is noninvasive and the fat cells are eliminated naturally through your lymphatic system. Once the fat is reduced, the skin will become less weighted and some retraction may occur, this would be a bonus only, because neither procedure is indicated to tighten loose skin. I hope this was helpful. Best of luck with your journey!