What Can I Do to Maximize Skin Retraction and Smoothness After Lipo?

Hello MaxInMaximas104,

I appreciate your questions! I would recommend VASER Liposuction as opposed to traditional methods of liposuction because VASER Lipo is the only method clinically proven to cause 53% skin retraction relative to other techniques, and the risk for contour irregularities (indentations and fibrosis) is significantly lower with the use of the VASER machine. Plastic surgeons have different post-operative protocols customized for every patient, to achieve the best results. After a liposuction procedure, my patients are required to wear their compression garments around the clock (except for showering), immediately after surgery, for approximately 6 months. The skin retraction and swelling after surgery typically would occur up to six months. In order to have uniform skin retraction during that six months, I recommend wearing these compression garments up to that time. Moreover, I typically advise patients that, without lymphatic drainage massages, there is a risk that the swelling and inflammation could turn into fibrosis, which is a permanent hardening of the area. At least ten lymphatic drainage massage sessions are required, starting 24 hours after the procedure, to eliminate excess lymph fluid, alleviate swelling and discomfort, and also prevent complications such as seromas (fluid collection) and contour irregularities (indentations, and/or fibrosis). Hope this is helpful! Dr. De La Cruz.

      Wearing the compression garment correctly and snugly 24/7 for the first several weeks after surgery along with early recognition and drainage of fluid collections can help prevent irregularities of liposuction.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that none of the treatment after surgery will produce good, smooth skin shrinkage if the elastic tone of the skin is poor. This is especially true for the abdominal area after pregnancy, and after substantial weight loss. Your surgeon will be able to advise you about how long to wear the compression garment. Lanolin is an ingredient in moisturizers, which do not enhance skin elasticity except as a temporary effect on dehydrated skin.

The amount of skin retraction is most dependant on your preexisting skin tone. I ask the patients to wear the compression garments 24/7 for the first 3 weeks

Absolutely the best thing you can do is rest for the first day, then gently walk in the days after, as gravity will help with the fluid removal. Make sure you wear your compression garments at all times, and wear them nice and tight (don't make them more comfortable by loosening them). Gentle massage can help. Don't take anything that thins the blood like NSAIDs or alcohol. As for creams, there is no topical product that can do anything to help the liposuction healing process. 

i do use vaser lipo in my practice and i have severe post op instruction.

1 lymphatic massage starting even 2 days after surgery to remove swelling .

2 lpg endermologie or vela smooth , 2 a week for 6 to 8 weeks, 

3 garment on for 6 to 8 weeks , depending on how easy the edema will settle,

in specific case, when a long lasting edemas still present, and risk to become a chronic problem, i do recommend to extend the post op manual massage for longer time. 

last , but not least, in abdomen i do use epifoam silastic foam to avoid bulges 

Here are some tips for the best post-lipo treatments. I have not had a dip, a divot, a sag since I started my patients on this regimen:

1. Use slimlipo (laser lipo) for any saggy or cellulitic areas. Vaser is pretty good too, and Cellulaze seems promising. The point is: HEAT SHRINKS SKIN.

2. The garment post-op must fit PERFECTLY. On the abdomen, don't bend/hunch in bed and let a line form on your upper abdomen. Don't let a binder cause a groove or divot on your (ex) muffin top. No marks. Ever.

3. Post-op endermologie - basically any smoothing treatment works - makes sure that no areas of edema are collecting. 2 sessions.

4. Post-op Accent- this skin tightening laser is great after abdominal lipo and takes up slack beautifully. 2 sessions for mild laxity, 4 for moderate.

5. What to wear - do NOT wear anything that cuts across the lipo area. I have a patient with a permanent Levi's button imprinted on her abdomen. Watch your posture, your garment, and your clothes. You can not be too careful for the first 3 weeks!

 

 

Best results following liposuction occur in people at or close to their ideal body weight with localized collections of excess fat and good skin elasticity. Although your genetics and your age will determine your skin elasticity, the skill of the surgeon is also important. Following surgery I have my patients wear elasticized garments for four weeks. This does help to externally influence skin contraction. In addition, procedures such as the EndyMed Pro 3Deep can help improve the smoothness of the skin and reduce any dimples, depressions, or contour irregularities that can sometimes occur following liposuction

 

Personally, I do not think that the skin contracts any more significantly using VASER or LASER LIPOLYSIS machines than traditional or power assised liposcuction. That being said, I do not think any one technqius will really accomplish that.  It is mostly age related, skin related, and fat content related.

The heat from the laser used in Smartlipo, will assist in skin tightening. I have had no problems with lose skin as a result of doing Smartlipo treatment. It is a great way to reduce fat in specific areas. however, there is a limit to how much skin tightening you can obtain. Some people have very poor skin tone so they will need a skin excision procedure such as a tummy tuck or arm lift. See a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in Smartlipo.wearing the garment for a longer period of time, may be helpful. Massage and any ointments or creams are NOT going to increase the skin elasticity.david berman md