Marco Lopez, MD

We are very sorry for your difficult experience!  It's unlikely your ruptured appendix was caused by Sculpsure.  The Sculpsure laser targets only the subcutaneous fat cells and does not effect your internal organs.  

Your extreme discomfort on the right side during your treatment, however, likely could have been caused by inflammation in your appendix (which lead to the rupture a few months later) which was likely present.  Patients should not experience pain during the Sculpsure treatment to the point of "feeling like screaming" as you describe in your question.

The lumps you describe are caused by the inflammation and fat destruction from the treatment.  We consider these lumps to be a sign of a good treatment.  Most of the time these lumps resolve on their own in 2-16 weeks, but we have seen it take several months.  Drinking lots of water, exercising, massaging the area and activities to assist your lymphatic system should speed their resolution.  

We encourage you to make an appointment with your provider and discuss all of your concerns.    

Best Wishes,

Marco Lopez, M.D.

Sculpt Away body shaping + beauty lounge

San Antonio, Texas




   

The typical inflammatory response following a Sculpsure treatment lasts 12-16 weeks.  That being said, after treating over 600 patients with Sculpsure, we have seen post-treatment inflammation lasting several months for some patients.  Plus, we've observed that certain patient's lymphatic systems need more time to process the debris caused by the treatment.  These resulting nodules usually resolve on their own but sometime require some help.  

We recommend you incorporate treatments and activities that assist the lymphatic system such as exercise, lymphatic massage, infrared sauna sessions and body wraps.  Certain medical technology, such as radiofrequency, can assist your body as well.  Make certain you remain active and drink lots of water.  

Share your concerns with your provider.  He/she may have some additional recommendations to assist you.  We are sorry for your worry and hope your condition resolves soon.

Best wishes,

Marco Lopez, M.D.

Sculpt Away body shaping + beauty lounge

San Antonio, Texas 

 

  

We rely on you to be our "thermostat" during the Sculpsure treatment.  The Sculpsure device has the capability to administer a 'range of laser energy' which should be tolerable but not comfortable.  We provide you with a chart to describe your sensations and based upon your feedback, adjust the energy level (up or down) on the Sculpsure device.  The device will not allow the provider to deliver either too little energy or too much energy, but we do depend on your feedback to find the 'optimum energy level.' This is why it is extremely important for patients to seek advice and treatment from a provider with expertise and experience in non-invasive body shaping treatments, and particularly in Sculpsure treatments.

In our 600+ Sculpsure patients, we have noted some general findings:  (1) different parts of the body produce greater sensitivity; (2) different patients have different tolerances of discomfort or pain: (3) a patient's fear increases sensation; (4) there is more discomfort when there is more fat; and (5) you do not have to experience 'pain' to yield great results.

At 9 weeks post-treatment, you may not see results but may be achieving great results.  Your lymphatic system is still at work eliminating the debris left behind and you may have some lingering inflammation as well.  We have found that a few patients require longer than 12 weeks to achieve optimal results.  Remember you see yourself every day which makes it hard for you to realize the gradual reduction in size.  Communicate your concerns with your provider and trust your provider to follow up and track your progress.  

We hope you have amazing results!

Best Wishes,

Marco Lopez, M.D.

Sculpt Away body shaping + beauty lounge

San Antonio, Texas

No need to be concerned with your lack of soreness following your Sculpsure treatment.  The Sculpsure device is designed to deliver the energy necessary to create apoptosis (fat cell death).  

Patients experience differing degrees of discomfort both during and after the Sculpsure treatment.  It is quite tolerable for most patients.  We have treated more than 600 patients and many of our patients report no tenderness, soreness or discomfort after the Sculpsure treatment.  Only about 20-30% of our Sculpsure patients report nodules (or bumps as you describe them), so you are in the majority on that.

Regarding your difference in sensation on different sides of the body, you are quite normal.  When the applicators are placed close to a nerve pathway, you will feel much more sensation.  

Trust your provider.  Let him/her know about and address your concerns.  Follow your post-treatment orders.  We hope you have great results!

Best wishes,

Marco Lopez, M.D.

Sculpt Away body shaping + beauty lounge

San Antonio, Texas




  

Sure, you should be just fine to have your Sculpsure treatment a week after donating blood.  Make sure you replace the fluid volume you lost during the donation.  Stay really hydrated.  A great way to do this is to drink half your weight in ounces of water each day (example:  if you weigh 130 pounds, drink 65 ounces of water a day).

We thank you for your willingness to help others with your blood donation!

We hope you have awesome results with your Sculpsure treatment.

Best Wishes,

Marco Lopez, M.D.

Sculpt Away body shaping + beauty lounge

San Antonio, Texas