Smartlipo arms - what can I do to recover as quickly as possible?

Question

I just had smartlipo done on my upper arms (back of them) and besides the armpits (where the bra goes). He removed around 300cc’s on each arm/armpit area. I’m wondering, what can I do to recover as quickly as possible? I was told to wear compression 24/7 the first week, then 12 hours a day for the following three weeks, is this what’s best? What’s the difference in recovery between smartlipo on arms and on abdomen/flanks? I’m 1 day postop and see absolutely no difference. Is it normal?

Basil Pakeman, MD · Answer

Thank you for our question.  This is the normal postop swelling after your procedure.  The some of the final results will be apparent in about 4-6 weeks with the final result in about 6 months . Just get it time and hang in there. keep following, your surgeon instruction with garment use and the massages.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question, it's too soon to tell what your final results will be. You may have swelling which can last 3-6 months after Smart Lipo. I have my patients wear compression for 3-6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I also recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. For best results with treatments like Smart Lipo, I recommend adding a combination of radiofrequency treatments like Vanquish, Venus Legacy, Exilis Ultra for skin tightening and with Z wave/Cellutone for skin smoothing. In order to get the best results, a VASER HI DEF procedure is needed to get more contouring and definition. See an expert for a formal consultation. Best, Dr. Emer

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.It can take four to six months to heal with smart lipo. Continue to follow your surgeons instructions and contact him or her with any concerns. Best of luck!

Gregory Chambon, MD · Answer

The upper arm area is by far the slowest area to fully heal (up to 6 months). I recommend the garment 24/7 for 2 weeks, 12 hours a day for 4 more weeks, and then as often as you want to keep comfortable esp with activity using your arms and weight training. You can't use the garment too much.

Daniela Dadurian, MD · Answer

I typically tell my patients to keep their garment on for 24 hours for 2 weeks. I hope this information helps. Good luck!

Joseph Franzese, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Thank you for our question.  It is absolutely normal to have swelling after your procedure.  The final results will take time to appear.  In the meantime, follow your surgeon's instructions for garment use, massages, etc.

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and
welcome to our forum!
Congratulations
on your recent procedure...The procedure of liposuction is an
"insult" to the soft tissues, resulting in swelling which will
initially totally obscure the operative result. It is 100% normal to be extremely swollen at one day after surgery. 60-80% of the swelling should subside within the first 6 weeks, with the remainder slowly subsiding over 6-12 months.
The
purpose of a compression garment is to prevent bleeding and to control
swelling. We usually recommend its use for the first 4-6 weeks after the
procedure.  Some surgeons recommend more, some less.
There is no catalyst to speed up the healing process. Liposuction to the arms is performed in the same fashion as liposuction elsewhere. Recovery is similar.
Eat healthy, don't "overdo", elevate your arms whenever possible, and follow your surgeon's instructions.
Continue
followup care with your plastic surgeon...
Best wishes...

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

There is always going to be swelling after Smartlipo (or really any surgical procedure) and the swelling will increase for 72 hours and then very gradually decrease. it can take up to 2 months, before you starting seeing a difference in the upper arms and it will continue to improve for 6 months. you need to be patient. In someone with a lot of fat on their abdomen, it is possible to see the improvement much sooner, but it takes much more time for the upper arms. Re: how long to wear the garment on the upper arms? my advice varies depending on how good or bad the skin tone is in the upper arms. since you did not attach any photos, i cannot really advise you but I would follow your plastic surgeon's advice (at least i hope you used a board certified PS).be patient and i am sure you will get a nice improvement but it will never be perfect, especially if your skin tone is lacking.david berman md

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