I had SculpSure on my stomach area. I experienced diarrhea the next day

Question

The diarrhea was somewhat oily, could that be my body eliminating fat? Or something I ate after procedure?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is unlikely due to your Sculpsure treatment. Keep in mind, it takes 3-6 months for final results with Sculpsure. You will have swelling, which can be asymmetrical. I recommend lymphatic massage along with your compression to decrease swelling. A combination of treatments is needed for best results with Sculpsure. I recommend combining Sculpsure with Vanquish and Venus Legacy/Exilis Ultra treatments. However, a VASER hi definition procedure would give you the best results with fat removal and shaping for the thighs but would require more downtime. Best, Dr. Emer

Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD · Answer

Diarrhea should not be a complication or sequelae following a sculpsure treatment. This laser focuses on the subcutaneous tissue and destroys fat cell membranes. The destroyed fat cells are the picked up by the lymphatics and excreted. Most likely, the diarrhea is coincidental to your treatment and possibly the flu. Please consult with your doctor if this persists.

Elham Jafari, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! The SculpSure laser targets and destroys the fat cells, and the release fat is collected by the lymphatic system and carried away and eventually redistributed in the body, removed via kidneys or sweating or burnt. It is highly unlikely for the fat to end up in the stool and presence of fat in stool is often and indicator of reduce absorption of dietary fat. Hence your diarrhea is most likely incidental and not related to SculpSure treatment. If in doubt, please do a follow up with you physician. I hope it helps and good luck!

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. I suggest that you consult with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. There are no side effects and no downtime associated with SculpSure. You may try massaging your treated area for 15 minutes.
Best wishes,

David U. Lipsitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Sculpsure is a laser treatment that destroys fat cells only a few millimeters below the skins surface, it would be extremely unlikely to trigger the GI concerns you experienced. The fat reduction takes place over many weeks. This seems to be an unfortunate coincidence.

Keith Denkler, MD · Answer

SculpSure penetrates only about an inch deep.  It heats the tissue and kills the living fat cell (adipocyte) causing the adipose tissue to be metabolized over the next month or two.  It does not go deep enough to injure the intestine or cause diarrhea, unless there is a hernia.Most likely the abdominal distress was unrelated.

Cheree Dunbar, MD · Answer

It is most likely that something you ate caused the change in bowel movements that you experienced after SculpSure.  Generally, the only side effects that I would expect to see the day after are mild swelling, mild superficial tenderness.  Sometimes firm lumps can develop after a period of time but these resolve over time.

John Grimaldi, DO · Answer

The SculpSure procedure should not lead to something such as diarrhea the next day. Fat cells are destroyed in subcutaneous fat area. It doesn't penetrate the abdominal wall and therefor should not have an effect on the bladder or intestines. 
I believe that your episode of diarrhea was coincidental. Please visit your physician if these issues or any similar discomfort continues.

David Finkle, MD · Answer

There is no correlation between bowel habits and SculpSure.  SculpSure uses a laser to heat and destroy subcutaneous fat cells, it does not pass into the abdomen.  It takes weeks for the fat cells to die and then be "processed" by the body.  I think this was just a co-incidence.

P. Dudley Giles, MD (retired) · Answer

There is no downtime with SculpSure treatments. Therefore, you can have a treatment during your lunch hour and return to your work immediately. Patients may start to see results as early as six weeks following treatments, as the body begins to evacuate the destroyed fat cells and optimal results seen at 12 weeks.
Contact your provider if you are still concerned.

I had SculpSure on my stomach area. I experienced diarrhea the next day

Answers (11)

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