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

Question

I had smart Lipo done on my hips and it's been 6 weeks since I had the procedure done. At this point I still feel numbess and I have lumps on both sides. Is this normal and will it go away on it's own? The dr stated that she will have to another procedure to smooth out the lumps.

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

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.

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

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.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

At this point you are still very swollen, but in general shouldnt have any complications. My suggestion is to start massage, ultrasound, or radiofrequency treamtents (velashape, venus) to help speed up the healing process.  If you still have hardness and lumps you should see a revision specialist.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

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!

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is normal to
have minimal side effects after your procedure, please be patient with your
results. As you are in the healing process I recommend following up with your
surgeon to make sure you are healing properly. You will start to notice a full
contour in your body.

Sheila Bond, MD · Answer

6 weeks after smart lipo there commonly are areas where there is numbness and swelling. The "lumps" make be areas of extra swelling or bruised fat. In any event , give it time. If you wait several weeks the numbness and "lumps" should resolve. You may find that wearing a compression garment helps as well as massages.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Following the initial swelling, which occurs 3 to 15 days after the procedure, lumpiness often follows for the next month or two.The lumpiness felt in the early phase after liposuction is from the early scar tissue that's going through what's called remodeling.The collagen in the scar tissue is slowly changing and maturing. As it does, it shrinks and become softer.Sometimes it's obvious that the patient may need a revision. However, I rarely make that call at six weeks because too many variables are still at play.I generally do not do revision surgery within the first six months of the procedure.At six weeks, it's reasonable to assume you should have improvements with time.At three months, there's generally only minor changes to be expected without intervention.The numbness after liposuction comes from damage to the fatty covering of nerves. This is called the myelin sheath. When this outer fatty layer of nerves (myelin sheath) is injured, the nerves do not work normally until it heals at which point sensation comes back.The medical term for this is neuropraxia.Severe neurapraxia can take months and even years to recover. With liposuction, it's usually mild and heals in a few months, and sensation almost always comes back to normal.Best wishes in a more speedy recovery.Best of luck,

Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

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

Answers (7)

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