How Long Should I Wait to Do Smart Lipo on a Different Area of the Body?

Question

I had smart lipo on my love handles and now I want to do it on my abdomen and bra area? How long do I have to wait between procedures?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

As long as the vascular supply is not an issue and swelling has not masked the appearance of an area, additional liposuction may be OK.  Liposuction results are highly surgeon dependent.  Find a plastic  
surgeon with ELITE credentials who performs hundreds of liposuction  
procedures each year.  Then look at the plastic surgeon's website before
 and after photo galleries to get a sense of who can deliver the  
results.
Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACS · Answer

Laser-assisted liposuction (or Smart Lipo as it is commonly known) uses laser light to heat and destroy undesired fat. This fat is then removed by conventional (vacuum) liposuction. The added benefit to Smart Lipo is the skin tightening effect. Much like laser skin resurfacing, the Smart Lipo laser actually provides skin tightening through heating of the undersurface of the skin. This stimulates new collagen formation and provides the desired effects on skin texture and firmness. Similar to conventional (vacuum) liposuction, laser-assisted liposuction uses tumescent fluid prior to the procedure. This fluid includes saline, epinephrine (for hemostasis/decreased bleeding), and lidocaine (for local anesthesia/pain control). While much of this fluid is suction out at the end of the case, some fluid remains. In combination with the edema fluid that occurs after any type of liposuction, this fluid can contribute to residual swelling in the area. While this has generally resolved over a 4-6 week time course, it is best to wait 2-3 months prior to proceeding with a different area. This will allow the adjacent contours to be assessed with greatest accuracy, and will limit the overall procedural risks.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

You can do different areas as soon as you desire. But NOT the same area. I do not really understand a delay if doing different body areas.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is best to wait for previous areas to heal completely before having another procedure. Typical wait time in between procedures is 6 months; at this point you will see a full body contour.

Melinda Lirag Lacerna-Kimbrell, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Wait at least 2-3 months until you get a new area treated to allow your body to fully recover and allow enough time for the skin tightening to occur.  This way your surgeon can also re-assess if you need a touch up on your first area.

How Long Should I Wait to Do Smart Lipo on a Different Area of the Body?

Answers (5)

Answer: Wait time in between surgeries

Answer: Wait time in between surgeries

Answer: Staging of Smart Lipo procedures

Answer: Staging of Smart Lipo procedures

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

How Long Should I Wait to Do Smart Lipo on a Different Area of the Body?

Answers (5)

Answer: Wait time in between surgeries

Answer: Wait time in between surgeries

Answer: Staging of Smart Lipo procedures

Answer: Staging of Smart Lipo procedures

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Smart Lipo

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.