You may be surprised to hear that one of the most common concerns I hear from my Smartlipo patients is not about the surgery itself but the recovery. Many people are worried about taking time off work, being unable to care for their families or pets, and getting back to the active lifestyle they maintain.
As the technologies available in cosmetic surgery have become less invasive and more precise, they have also brought a corresponding decrease in recovery time. Smartlipo is a great example of this.
Traditional liposuction offers a faster recovery than a more invasive body contouring procedure, such as a tummy tuck. However, patients still need nearly a week of recovery time before getting back to any normal activities after traditional liposuction. With the laser technology in Smartlipo, it’s now only a few days, and patients experience less pain, soreness, and discomfort.
What is Smartlipo recovery really like?
Here are some of the greatest concerns my patients have for recovery, and what they can expect for each.
Swelling After Smartlipo
Because fat has been removed and the tissue in and around the treated area has been irritated during your Smartlipo treatment, you are going to experience some swelling, no matter the technology. The swelling is completely normal and will last at least a few days after your surgery, depending on the area that you had treated. Make sure to drink lots of water and avoid foods high in sodium for at least 1 week after surgery, as salt may cause bloating and swelling for many people.
When you begin to feel more comfortable moving around, go for short walks around your house, yard, or neighborhood to keep blood circulating and swelling minimal. Be sure to wear the compression garments provided by your surgeon after your liposuction procedure for the first few days, depending on the treated area, as this will also contribute to smooth healing and less swelling.
Soreness During Recovery
You will experience the most soreness and discomfort for the first 2 to 4 days after the procedure, but this will steadily decrease and subside within the next 4 weeks after surgery.
Many patients return to work 2 to 3 days after surgery, begin performing light exercises and stretching after 1 week, and slowly but steadily regaining their endurance and stamina from there, resting as much as necessary.
Smartlipo Pain and Discomfort
Patients will experience some pain, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication then transitioning to over-the-counter pain relievers as soon as the next day. The options for pain medication will be determined by your surgeon and be dependent on the extent and location of the treatment.
As I’ve mentioned, Smartlipo is less invasive than traditional liposuction, so the pain level will be more manageable.
If you’re looking for a completely noninvasive alternative to liposuction, you may want to consider CoolSculpting®. We can discuss this option during your consultation.
Scars or Drains After Smartlipo
The cannula used during liposuction is about 2 or 3 millimeters in width. This means that the incisions required for the instrument are very small in comparison to more invasive surgical procedures.
The incisions (and resulting scars) are typically about 5 mm in length and are left open for drainage purposes. They quickly heal within a few days without sutures. With proper care and sun protection, the scars will quickly fade.
Because Smartlipo and liposuction are less invasive than other body contouring treatments, such as tummy tuck, drains are not needed. You can learn more about the small cannula, the science behind Smartlipo, and some of its benefits in this related blog post.
Long-Lasting Results With Smartlipo
Because the unwanted fat cells have been completely removed from your body, your results will last as long as you are able to maintain them through a healthy diet and exercise plan. Weight gain and pregnancy can change the results, as can the effects of aging and other health issues.
Often, Smartlipo has an encouraging effect: Many of my patients say they’re so happy with their results that they have even more motivation than before to keep up their workouts and nutrition plans.
You can see the Smartlipo before-and-after photos for one of my patients in below, who is pictured 4 months post-operation in the “after” photo. I’m excited to share that she was able to lose an additional 26 pounds after surgery because she was excited to keep up her results. The surgery, combined with her healthy lifestyle, allowed her to lose several inches and a clear reduction in clothes size.
Are you interested in learning more about Smartlipo and laser lipo ? I encourage you to read through my Smartlipo liposuction page, or my related blog post, which covers frequently asked liposuction questions I often hear during consultations.
If you have a question that didn’t get answered there, feel free to share it in the comments section below! You can also use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (208) 676-8346 to schedule an appointment to talk about your own liposuction options in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.
I’m on Day 3 after receiving treatment to the backs of my arms. It’s going great! The hardest part was deciding to get it done. Everything after that has been pretty smooth. Thank you. :o)