Extreme soreness one week after SculpSure!

Question

I had sculpsure done one week ago, on my outer (lateral) thighs. They are SO SORE to the touch, and feel swollen/hard. The best way to describe it, is it feels like I was hit with a hammer on my outer thighs! Is this much soreness normal??

R. Brannon Claytor, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi,This is a great question. A lot of patients report soreness or tenderness after a SculpSure treatment. This is completely normal. It depends on the patient as to how much soreness one may have but it is to be expected and should only last for about 1-2 weeks. Be sure to continue to massage your treated areas to help break up those dead fat cells.

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your soreness should subside after 1-2 weeks, however, it is important that you continue to monitor your healing and results with your medical team and board certified facial plastic surgeon.
Best wishes,

Dennis Gross, MD · Answer

Anytime a SculpSure treatment is done, there is always a chance of soreness. It is completely normal. My patients have told me it feels like they did a great workout and feels like its working. You can lightly massage the area and each day the pain will decrease.

Mark A. McCune, MD · Answer

Yes, some soreness or tenderness after SculpSure is completely normal in the week following your procedure. Some people experience more intense soreness than others. We tell people it feels like you're sore after a very intense workout. It should subside soon but as always if you have any concerns be sure to check in with your treatment provider. 
Best, 
Dr. McCune

Craig Schwartz, DO · Answer

No, what you are experiencing is not typical for most patients, but it is certainly not abnormal. There is a wide spectrum of what patients go through post-procedure, but for most any soreness is relatively short lived. You can use Tylenol if needed, but it is best to try and avoid anti-inflammatories if possible, because you don't want to minimize or halt the inflammatory response which rids the destroyed fat cells. Massaging the areas several times daily will also help, and be sure to drink plenty of water to stay well hydrated. Symptoms should improve with time.

Taaly Silberstein, MD · Answer

What you are describing is very normal. The key, at this point, is to hydrate thoroughly (drink water at approximately half your weight in ounces daily) and continue to massage those areas. Everyone is different, but the swelling and soreness should dissipate within a few weeks. Sometimes, however, the soreness and some nodularity can last for up to a few months. 
If you have any concerns, though, I wouldn't hesitate to ask your doctor to take a look at you.
Good luck!

Lisa Vuich, MD · Answer

This does happen and varies from person to person and on different areas. As we say, fat cell death is "never pretty" ;. Hang in there, you can take Motrin or Tylenol if needed. It will resolve.
Lisa Vuich, MD

Vinh Ngo, MD · Answer

It is normal to have some degree of soreness after your SculpSure treatment.  Patients typically compare the soreness to that of a hard workout.  It shouldn't last more than a couple weeks, and you can always use an ice pack or take some Tylenol.  If the pain is intolerable I recommend contacting the physician who performed the treatment.

Extreme soreness one week after SculpSure!

Answers (8)

More SculpSure Questions

If you have a thyroid problem will that affect getting SculpSure? Will it be a waste of money?

After SculpSure. Did it work if you don't feel any soreness after the procedure?

I want to do my love handles with SculpSure and was quoted $2,700 for 2 treatments of the area. Advice?

If CoolSculpting (2 sessions) did not work for upper arms would a different method like SculpSure work better?

Do SculpSure and Vanquish ME do the same thing? What's the difference?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS