Bumps, Lumps and Roping After Smart Lipo: Is This Normal?

Although you're 6 weeks out from
your SmartLipo procedure, it's still far too soon to assume you'll need a
revisionary treatment or that your results are permanent. Lumpiness is a normal
part of the healing process after liposuction and may take up to 12 weeks to
resolve completely. See the surgeon who performed your SmartLipo to learn more
about what you can expect and what you can do to facilitate the best possible
outcome. Good luck!

Thank you for submitting your question. I am sorry you are feeling disappointed with your surgery. Swelling after liposuction will last for many weeks after surgery. Hard lumpy areas are common in the first several weeks after lipo but rest assurred they will dissapate in 6-12 weeks. Final results take 6-12 months. Continue to use your contour garment, massage the hard areas , external ultrasound and lymphatic massage will help to decrease swelling. I would not recommend massaging the arms to the point it is bruised; this is causing more trauma and swelling. to the area  Discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon.

Active massage will help the areas noted as the lymphatic system improves with time.  I would continue massage and continue to have your surgeon monitor the results. Raffy Karamanoukian Los Angeles

All types of liposuction can potentially have risks and complications. Laser liposuction might carry higher risk and rate for complications by causing burns, areas of dents, and Hyperpigmentation. massage and time will hopefully help to improve the outcome, but at times it might be necessary to have fat grafting and revision liposuction.

Arms can be a problem area, but I have had very good results with Smartlipo in this area.  Some swelling after 6 weeks is normal.  It will look like "lumps and bumps".  Usually your surgeon can tell if the amount you have is within normal limits.  It is too early to judge the final result at 6 weeks.  How much swelling you have depends on how much was done and how you heal.  Soft tissue massage can be useful to help dissipate the lumps.  I can't tell without an exam, or at least a photo, to what degree you have lumps and if they are likely to go away.  One thing for certain, they should continue to improve as the tissue softens and heals fully.

While many people can turn out great when they do liposuction on the arm area, it doesn't always turn out that well. It is this reason that makes my rate of arm liposuction very low. In order to be a good candidate, you need to have excellent elasticity and the surgeon has to be very careful while doing the procedure or you will have problems afterwards.
You may benefit from Endermologie or VelaShape treatments, but I'd try them quickly or you will lose some beneficial recovery time. Hopefully, your surgeon will offer these for you at a discount given the challenges you have had.

Minor lumps and bumps are possible after SmartLipo surgery and should resolve in time; but shouldn’t look disfigured. I advise that you see your Surgeon and address your concerns.

At 6 weeks, having lumps and bumps can be very normal. They typically dissipate in time, up to 12 weeks, with your best results even 6 months after that. Give it time. We do use VelaShape post lipo to assist in the process.

Small lumps and bumps are normal after Smart Lipo procedure. They are scar tissue and typically presents up to 6 months after the procedure. These are small areas of scar tissue under the skin. However, it should not look disfiguring.  If it is disfiguring likely it is due to over resection of the fat. However, it is still early in your recovery process. Messaging and ultrasound treatments should help to loosen up the scar tissue. Good luck.

As with most of the comments thus far, it is best to wait several months to see if first they will resolve before having anything dramatic done to the area. Having said that, in 2014, many of us would be adding on a radiofrequency treatment course with one of the many RF devices out there to try to smooth the area somewhat.  You can use VelaShapeIII, Venus Legacy, Pelleve, Exilis, EndyMed 3Deep, or the Alma Accent or VShape — all may help some and make things better sooner. I would tell you to check with your doctor to see if they offer any of these treatments.  And again, as with any procedure, you need to make sure before getting into it that the person doing it is skilled and experienced — and in this case, only board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons well-versed in lasers and liposuction should be doing these, in my opinion.