Treating Pain After Smartlipo

Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that can cause bleeding and bruising after surgery. An alternative NSAID is Celebrex (celecoxib) which does not significantly increase the risk of bleeding and has a more favorable side effect profile in regard to gastrointestinal irritation. It is a useful non-narcotic that can be used safely around the time of surgery. Many of my patients have been grateful that I often prescribe this before surgery, as they find they have less discomfort when they start it before a procedure.
It is unclear if an NSAID will decrease the skin tightening thought to be associated with laser-assisted liposuction as this effect has not yet been definitively quantified.

I recommend taking Celebrex instead. It seems clear that the risk for bleedng and excessive bruising with Celebrex  is FAR LOWER than aspirin, ibuprofen or naprosin. I use Celebrex for all of my plastic surgical procedures (unless they have a sulfa allergy) and have found no problems with increased bruising or bleeding.

Unfortunately you cannot take ibuprofen, as this could cause bruising and bleeding after surgery. We ask all patients to stay away from ibuprofen products, advil, motrin, etc at least one week before and after surgery. If you don’t feel comfortable taking vicodin, you may want to take some Extra Strength Tylenol.

Although Smart Lipo tends to have less bruising due to the lasers ability to coagulate small vessels, there is always a potential for postoperative bruising and bleeding. Ibuprofen will worsen this situation so it is a definite NO. Most of my patients do well with Tylenol. Rarely they will request something stronger in which case I will prescribe either celebrex ( an excellent choice as a non-narcotic) or vicodin ( a mild narcotic pain reliever).
Smart Lipo gives a rapid recovery with minimal bruising so most patients will not need any pain medication beyond the first 24-48hrs

I generally request that all patients refrain from Motrin (Ibuprofen and Advil are the same) for 2 weeks before and after surgery because of the increased risk of bleeding and bruising that these medications carry.