Recovery from Smartlipo

Smartlipo is a minimally invasive surgery that uses an instrument that is approximately the size of a pen. Therefore, the incisions made during the Smartlipo procedure are very small and do not require sutures. It is completely normal for the incisions sites to drain blood-tinged anesthetic solution. In general, more drainage from the incision sites results in less swelling and bruising. Since Smartlipo utilizes local anesthesia rather the generalized anesthesia, most people feel okay to drive immediately following their procedure. However, most doctors caution against operating any machinery because the local anesthetic used during the procedure can cause numbness and/or drowsiness. It is best to have someone drive you home so that you can take time to rest for at least 24 hours after the procedure, and you should have someone help you change your bandages. Because the effects of the local anesthesia from the procedure can persist for up to 36 hours, the most intense pain tends to be resolved before the anesthesia wears off. Therefore, Tylenol is usually sufficient for the management of residual pain. In order to avoid excess bleeding after the procedure, aspirin and other blood thinners should be avoided, as well as smoking.

What to Expect Immediately After Smartlipo

Immediately following your Smartlipo procedure, the priority should be taking it easy and getting lots of rest. For the first 24 hours you should refrain from any activities. In addition to covering the incision sites with absorbent pads, the doctor will also apply compression bandages that should help to reduce the swelling and encourage the drainage of the anesthetic solution. In some cases, people may experience light headiness or dizziness when the compression bandages are removed. You can resume your normal diet, but you should eat light meals for the first 48 hours after the procedure. To prevent dehydration, you should drink ample amounts of water or juice, and you should also limit your intake of alcohol for 48 hours after the procedure. In most cases, people can return to light work within 1 to 2 days, but it is not abnormal to experience discomfort and fatigue for a couple days after the procedure. It is best not to resume physical activity until at least one week after Smartlipo. There may be some swelling and bruising, but you can expect that to subside within about 1 to 3 weeks. At which point, you should apply a hot compress, as well as massage and stretch the area to limit the appearance of lumps and tightness. Although most people are pleased with their results immediately following the surgery, it make take up to four months to achieve the maximum skin tightening.

Smartlipo Follow-up visits

As a part of your recovery process, your doctor will schedule follow-up visits. The first follow-up visit should occur on the day after the Smartlipo procedure. During this initial visit, the doctor will examine the affected area and incision sites to ensure that the drainage is appropriate. Future follow-up visits are needed to determine whether the procedure area and incision sites are healing. It is important that you do not skip any of these follow-up visits because at these visits the doctor will be able to identify any adverse effects of the procedure, such as scarring and/or infections.