How long after traditional lipo can I get laser lipo to different areas?

Question

I am scheduled to have a tummy tuck and lipo on my stomach and flanks. How long after the surgery can I schedule lipo laser for my arms and thighs? Not sure how long my body needs to remove the anesthesia from my system.

Hampton A. Howell, MD · Answer

Hi.  There is no exact time frame that you will need to wait between the 2 procedures but basically you want to be recovered enough to be able to take care of yourself and be able to heal well.  Potentially a few weeks in between or longer may be reasonable.  I would discuss that with your surgeon and I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon with good experience in this area.Good luck and take care,Dr. Howell

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best. Ideally all of these areas would be treated a single procedure.
The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heats the skin with radiofrequency devices such as Renuvion (J-Plasma), InMode BodyTite, and ThermiRF to heat the undersurface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HI-DEF VASER Liposuction and can only be done by a well-trained body contouring specialist. At the same time, fat should be harvested and purified, with PRP and stem cells added, and then injected into muscles, indentations and cellulite to get body shaping and contouring. If skin is very loose before surgery, then it will need to be removed: tummy tuck/abdominoplasty for lower abdominal skin; breast lift for excess breast skin; and/or a brachioplasty for loose arm skin.
Overall, you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Susan D. Vasko, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. You will be able to get your second procedure as soon as you feel comfortable to do so. There is no exact amount of time you are required to wait. I would discuss the timeline with your board certified plastic surgeon.

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

If you are having a tummy tuck and abdominal liposuction you probably want to wait until you are comfortable enough to take care of yourself prior to undergoing laser liposuction of the arms and thighs.  Medically speaking, there is no real wait time for these two separate areas to be addressed, however, I think that functionally you would be happy you waited for your abdomen to feel a bit more comfortable prior to treating your upper and lower extremities.

Timothy Alexander, MD · Answer

It is reasonable to wait six weeks following a Tummy tuck to do more areas of liposuction . If you are treating areas distant from the abdomen such as arms and thighs as you mentioned, you would be able to do the liposuction even sooner, if desired. Your board certified plastic surgeon would be the best person to help you decide the extent and timing of your procedure.
Best of luck.

Barry Ginsburg, MD · Answer

you can have laser lipo as soon as you are comfortable enough and there is no longer residual lidocaine in your system.

Kristine Brecht, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Dear Maryland,Great question!In my practice, we recommend one week between procedures on completely different areas of the body.This gives you a bit of a rest, and allows the procedural medications to metabolize out of your body.Best. Dr Brecht Seattle, Wa

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
If liposuction is to be repeated in a previously treated area, we recommend waiting at least 6 months to allow for resolution of swelling and the hypervascularity of healing.
If liposuction is to be performed in a previously untreated area, it can be performed when you are comfortable after your first procedure and repeat laboratory studies demonstrate normal values.
Best wishes...

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

Also, what i have done a lot, is do the Smartlipo a few days BEFORE you get the TT etc. that has worked very nicely and i think that is a better order to do them in,. see a board certified plastic surgeon for all of your procedures.david berman md

Jon Ver Halen, MD, FACS (license suspended) · Answer

Hello and thank you for your excellent question. We perform most of our liposuction awake, so if patients want to stage multiple areas of liposuction, then they can have this performed in as little as 48 hours after the preceding surgery. However, if you are having a full tummy tuck, you need to wait at least 4 weeks between procedures (as this is a much more invasive procedure than liposuction alone).  It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate you. Preoperative visualization with Crisalix can simulate what your body will look like, and can help you make your decision. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. Good luck!

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