8 days post hi-def Vaser on abdomen & flanks. I had approximately 3 liters of fat/fluid removed, will cryotherapy speed healing?

Question

Had daily MLD massages and kept active with lots of stretching. I feel quite good, there are no lumps or any pain, stitches and drains are all out. Wearing a compression garment 24/7 and very swollen... In the past, I did cryotherapy where you go into a freezing chamber (-111*F / -80*C) for 3 minutes. This reduces inflammation, and causes your heart to pump faster thus delivering more blood and oxygen to your organs. Do you think this will help speed-up the healing process?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Justadude101, Thank you for your question regarding undergoing cryotherapy to speed healing after VASER HI-DEF abdomen and planks. The answer is "No, no, no, no, no, and absolutely no!"  As its name implies, cryotherapy is a cooling treatment. During cryotherapy, your arteries and veins constrict due to cold temperature. Since your arteries are constricted, LESS (not more) oxygen is delivered to the tissues.  Therefore, cryotherapy decreases oxygen delivery. The reason your heart pumps faster is that there is more volume of blood circulating around the heart.  The heart  is pumping oxygen to your vital organs, like your brain kidneys.  During severe chilling, the heart is not pumping oxygen to peripheral tissues like the skin and fat.  Therefore, cryotherapy not help in healing. in fact, cryotherapy may make matters worse by causing arterial constriction and thus decreased oxygen delivery after VASER HI-DEF abdomen. It is very important that you follow your board-certified plastic surgeon's instructions after VASER HI-DEF abdominal liposuction. Compression is the key. For my VASER HI-DEF abdomen patients, I suggest compression for at minimum six weeks for the swelling to go down. Another technique to decrease post-operative swelling after VASER HI-DEF abdomen is lymphatic massage. Your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you this service in his/her office or be able to refer you to a lymphatic massage therapist.  Do not worry -- the swelling will go down.  However, I would never recommend cryotherapy during any acute post-op healing phase.  I hope that I answered your questions regarding accelerating post-op healing after VASER HI-DEF abdomen.    If you have anymore questions regarding VASER HI-DEF abdomen or cryotherapy, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Jack G. Bertolino, MD · Answer

I would go for lymphatic massages and not do cryo. The wounds have to heal. You need to mobilize the fluids still inside you. Rest, wear the garment and do more lymphatic drainage. JB

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, 8 days is too soon for cryotherapy because incisions have not yet fully healed. It is best to follow first your prescribed aftercare, such as wearing garments, and make sure you get plenty of rest and treat incisions well. Contact your surgeon regarding additional medications or therapy you would like to try to ensure they won't interfere with your healing. 
Best of luck! #RealSelf100

8 days post hi-def Vaser on abdomen & flanks. I had approximately 3 liters of fat/fluid removed, will cryotherapy speed healing?

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8 days post hi-def Vaser on abdomen & flanks. I had approximately 3 liters of fat/fluid removed, will cryotherapy speed healing?

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Everything you need to know about Vaser Liposuction

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