6 weeks post op Smart Lipo, I have lumps and numbness on my flanks. Is this normal?

Flanks usually require significant mechanical effort with the equipment. This "trauma" causes swelling and numbness which will resolve over time. Usually the numbness is the last change to resolve and can take many months. Lumps should be massaged professionally frequently in the first month of healing.

Six weeks should be an adequate amount of time for bruising and swelling to resolve considerably. Wearing a post-operative compression garment during that period will also give you a better result. In most cases, if there is any residual swelling it will not be noticable to others and will continue to improve over the next few months.

Thank you for your question.  During the healing process following a Smart Lipo treatment, it is not unusual to have some "lumpiness" due to the swelling that occurs.  Initially all areas are quite swollen, but as some areas begin to resolve the swelling and becoming more soft, others take a bit longer and are thus a bit firmer.  This tends to be more noticeable between approximately 5-10 weeks and occasionally a bit longer if there were areas that were aggressively treated with the Smart Lipo laser.  There are several treatment modalities that can be utilized to speed the healing process and begin to smooth out your result, such as TriActive and VelaShape as well as lymphatic drainage massage.  Numbness is also quite common with any liposuction procedure, laser assisted or otherwise.  The nerves to the skin have undergone blunt trauma due to multiple passes of the Smart Lipo laser and liposuction cannulas - similar to when you accidentally strike your elbow or "funny bone" and your hand goes numb for a minute or two.  This will begin to slowly improve over the next several weeks.   Please be sure to follow up closely with your plastic surgeon as scheduled and follow all their instructions carefully to obtain the best final result.  Best wishes with your continued recovery!