Do the final results of Smart Lipo really take 6 months to show?

Question

I had Smart Lipo on my arms two months ago at the age of 61 (female). Currently, my right arm has a lot of loose skin, and my left arm has loose skin and some lumps. I am afraid they will get no better in the next 4 months. My surgeon tells me it takes 6 months to see the final results of Smart Lipo. Do you think there could be a big change from my current condition in another 4 months?

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.It can take up to 6 months to see best result. I will recommend to manually massage the area and continue wearing compression garment. There is a treatment called Vaser shape to help tighten and tone the skin. It depends on the severity of the loose skin, if severe, brachioplasty will be the best treatment for loose skin. I hope this helps!

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello. It is much too early to judge your Smartlipo results after only two months. Continue your post op massage and see your PS at 6 months. Be well. Dr. Burnett

Mytien Goldberg, MD, FACS · Answer

I have to agree with my esteem colleagues that the final results after Smart Lipo procedure is at 6 months or could be up to 8 months. It takes times for all the swelling resolve and scar tissue to soften with time. Furthermore, skin retraction takes up to 6 months after the procedure.

Bruce E. Katz, MD · Answer

Thank you for your
question. I recommend for my patients to wait 6 months before assessing their
results from SmartLipo. As mentioned, asymmetry is often caused by swelling in
the treated area which will ebb and flow during the healing process. This is
completely normal. I recommend you continue to follow up with your surgeon.

Christopher T. Chia, MD · Answer

The reasons surgeons tell patients it takes up to six months to see the final results following SmartLipo include: 1) the improvements seen where the  fat that is (permanently) removed is temporarily masked by swelling of the skin and soft tissues and 2) any skin contraction or tightening that will occur takes about that long. Of course, this is an ongoing process for up to a year or longer but most of the swelling goes away at about three or four months. Similarly, the skin tightening due to the mechanical process of liposuction and the heat of the laser is roughly about 75% done by then. If you have loose skin after this time, it is more likely a patient selection issue because some patients' skin will not tighten enough and may actually look worse after this procedure. Lumps seen at two months probably will go away on their own and gentle massage may speed up the process. I would get a follow up appointment at about four months postop and discuss your concerns with him or her who will give you options. Good luck

Do the final results of Smart Lipo really take 6 months to show?

Answers (5)

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