Recovery time for Smart Lipo on abs, back and flanks, and BBL?

Question

What is the recovery time for smart lipo on abs, back and flanks and BBL? How soon can you return to work on a desk job?

Calvin Jung, MD · Answer

Smart Lipo is typically not advised if you are wanting a BBL.  The laser energy (smart lipo) will heat up the fat and melt it, making it useless for grafting.  Recovery typically for a BBL is 9-14 days depending on the volume of fat removed.  You should be able to continue to do your work at a desk however, when sitting you will want to use a BBL pillow as to not put any weight on the buttock region as you are healing.

Kevin M. Johnson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question. However,
SmartLipo isn't a good choice for a Brazilian butt lift because its laser
energy destroys fat cells. Once they're destroyed, they can't be used for
transferring to the buttocks. If you're certain you want to undergo a Brazilian
butt lift, traditional liposuction is a better option, and you can expect a
couple of weeks of downtime. However, if you wish to undergo SmartLipo on your
abdomen, back, and flanks without the butt lift, you can expect to get back to
your desk job in just a couple of days. Good luck with your decision!

Donovan Rosas, MD · Answer

The defining difference between traditional and SmartLipo is the latter's use of laser (heat) energy to facilitate the extraction of fat. The laser heats and liquifies the fat which is subsequently aspirated via traditional liposuction.While effective, the laser/heat energy destroys the fat cells. This renders the fat cells useless for transfer or grafting.BBL is dependent upon the transfer of viable high quality fat for volume expansion. Thus SmartLipo would not be an effective means of donor fat harvest.Recovery from SmartLipo (under local) is generally shorter than traditional liposuction (under general). However, recovery times will vary from patient to patient and procedure to procedure (more areas/longer recovery). BBL adds an additional aspect to recovery as patients are typically discouraged from sitting or putting pressure on the grafts post operatively to optimize graft take and viability.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon.

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Lipo under local: 1-3 days. Lipo under general: 2 weeks. These are averages. A small area lipo procedure such as upper inner thighs or mons pubis can have you back to work in 24 hours. For your combo, most of my patients are working in 2 days. As for combining smart lipo (laser lipo) with a fat injection procedure such as BBL, the fat that is intended to be used for fat injections is removed first before the laser procedure is done because lasered fat is nonviable. You will always have more options when your surgeon has a wide experience.

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Smart Lipo is not performed on a patient who is having a Brazilian butt lift because the fat needs to be viable for transfer and buttock augmentation.  Smartlipo destroys fat cells. You should have traditional tumescent Lipo with your BBL and you can stage your Smartlipo for a later date. Your recovery time is 4-6 weeks withh no sitting for a month. Good luck.

Recovery time for Smart Lipo on abs, back and flanks, and BBL?

Answers (5)

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