Think carefully about SmartLipo: it's not the answer to all your prayers
SmartLipo is a fairly new procedure in the UK that has captured many headlines with its claim to be a fast and pain-free alternative to traditional liposuction, with no downtime. The Sunday Times Style magazine joined the bandwagon yesterday, running a full page article on the lipo you can have in your lunchtime.
When you do your research before having it done, you'll find it's very difficult to find anything other than positive articles and the websites of clinics offering it.
So I want to offer some much needed counter arguments. I had SmartLipo three weeks ago in two areas of my abdomen, roughly speaking above and below the belly button. Believe me, it is not the pain-free fast fix everyone seems to think it is.
My SmartLipo was performed by one of the doctors mentioned in the article, in London, and took about one and a half hours. My BMI is under 25 so I am not hugely overweight; I do however have a podgy midriff, and with the beach looming, I wanted to try to reduce it. I had consultations for Ultrashape (ultrasound) and Accent laser, and wasn't considered suitable for either. SmartLipo seemed ideal because unlike traditional liposuction, it improves the condition of your skin. The laser stimulates the production of collagen. At my age, this was a big plus because loose skin often looks worse than tightly packed fat.
I did find the procedure quite uncomfortable at times. I have a very high pain threshold; I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who scream and cry at the slightest thing. My eyes watered at the needle for the local anaesthetic, but I thought that would be the end of it. However, sometimes the probe hits a part of you that wasn't anaethetised and it is very jarring and painful.
Well, after the procedure I felt fine and went home in the compression garment and clutching some antibiotics.
I had traditional liposuction seven years ago on my hips and thighs, and I can honestly say that the next day, the SmartLipo treatment left me in more pain. Previously, I didn't even take the painkillers I'd been given and I felt ok to start exercising a few days later. A week after SmartLipo it was still hard to bend over, and it was two weeks later before I could even contemplate exercise.
Three weeks later I am still wearing the compression garment (they say it's usually worn for 3-5 days) and waiting for the procedure to show some positive effects.
What they don't tell you is that the fat, which is turned to liquid and then metabolised over a period of months, becomes a coagulated mass which gravity pulls downwards. So in my case, I have a very big lump above my belly button which is painful to touch, and visible in a swimming costume or a t-shirt if I don't wear the compression garment.
It hasn't gone down at all. I'm starting to fret that when I go on holiday in late June, I will have to buy swimming costumes because there's no way I can wear a bikini with this abormality.
I did speak to the doctor a week after the procedure and was assured this was perfectly normal and it would dissolve over time.
I thought I should share my experience because everyone thinks SmartLipo is an instant panacea, and when I searched the web for any negative or adverse reactions, I didn't find any.
33 comments:
i read the article yesterday in the sunday times style as well, and rememeber it saying that it could take up to 3/4 months for any positive effects to be shown. i would be interested to know how you get on, and if (god forbid) they discover any downsides. i did think after reading the article it sounded too good to be true and wondered if it had perhaps been sponsored.
I hadnt heard anything about smartlipo before reading the article yesterday - if it was such a revolutionary benficial procedure, why has there not been more widespread media interest? or is it that new that it has not occured yet?
anyway, thanks for your review, hope everything goes well for you!
xxx
I also read the article yesterday and thought exactly the same as Marie: it just can't be so easy..
Thank you so much for your comments.. A few years ago, I was promised that expensive permanant laser hair removal would be painless and 100% effective.. It hurt (A LOT), and I'm most certainly not hair-free despite having had extra treatments.
I got my money back because I was able to prove that they had made bogus claims and had failed to deliver. Wish I'd never gone ahead with it in the first place--definately give honest feedback in a few months' time...
Hi, I had the Smartlipo done on my tummy 3 months ago, I'm only seeing the results now, so hold tight! I don't understand why they said you could exercise, I had to forego my gym for 2 weeks. Thank goodness I didn't have your surgeon, I can honestly say I felt very little, I was given goggles to wear so I didn't see any needles. I hope every thing works out for you.
I am considering this for my triceps (back of the arms). Has anyone had this done on that area of the body? I am pretty thin, but as much as I exercise this is an area I cannot seem to lose. I had regular lipo on my "double chin" and had great results about 10 years ago. Anyone with input please advise...Thanks.
Hi, I had the procedure done on my thighs on Tuesday. The Dr could only use enough local for my outer thighs as he is restricted on the amount he can use, so I have to go back on Monday week to have the inner thighs done - at this point I will add that I am a slim size 10 but always felt my legs are too large for my body!! I also have a high pain threshold but didnt want to put myself through traditional liposuction. I could cope with the local and enormous needle but also found the whole procedure very painful at times. The treatment is uncomfortable. It hit a few areas and I felt like I was being badly burnt inside my legs, 2 days later I am very bruised, very swollen and cant imagine seeing any improvement for weeks. My Dr was charming and did tell me full results can take up to 6 months. He also told me not to exercise for 2 weeks. So I wait and see. I do feel that had I known the recovery period would be so long I would have considered full lipo, afterall it is the same amount of money and i will be so upset if the results are not significant. As I have to go back in 10 days time it will also mean at least 3 weeks in the ghastly compression shorts and another course of antibiotics which is also not ideal. Exercise is also a big part of my life so whilst I wont be so fat maybe I'll be flabbier! Will keep you posted!
Hi Sandy101
can you tell us who yur surgeon was?...as a recommendation?
Much appreciated
thanks
Hi- I had this done on my lower tummy in late March and am only now starting to see the results and am very pleased- so it does take a while. I was very worried for the first couple of months that I had wasted my money but all of a sudden I have started to notice a big difference. My treatment was only painful during the aneasthetic- after that if I felt anything during the laser treatment I told my doctor and he would insert more aneasthetic - overall was quite comfortable. Aftwewards my tummy was a bit tender for about a week only.
hi all, thank you so much for your comments. i'm seriously thinking of going to have smartlipo on my outerthigh. i have an appointment with dr b-l-u-m at b-o-t-o-n-i-c-s if anybody knows his work please let me know.i don't know with 2 very young kids i'm putting myself at high risk or not. your comments are appreciated and sandy can i pls hav the name of your surgeon. thanks
did anyone have smart lipo on their chin? I'm sceduled in three weeks so I'm hoping to hear about any experience. pain level-recovery time and results???I'd appreicate any information,the procedure is extremely new to my area and no one has a great deal of knowledge regarding the above asked questions...help!
Thanks
I had Smart Lipo done last week, around belly button. Noticed results immediately, had little to no pain under a local anesthetic, took one tylenol the next day. I have had no bruising and the Doctor said I will continue to see results for the next couple of months. Could not be happier with the procedure and the results.
I had the smartlipo done 3 weeks ago on my inner thighs,upper and lower stomach. The procedure itself, though not that painful, felt very odd. I don't know how else to decribe it. there were a few moments of pain if he went a bit outside of an area that wasn't numbed. The next day I ws sore and brusied, but looked pretty good. After about 5 days I stated noticing hard ropey masses in my stomach that were very tender. i went on a plastic's forum and found this was a very common after effect. They suggested using a percussion massage ron the area daily. I asked my doctor about it 10 days out an dhe didn't seem concerned at all. I am sill in my comression garment, but back in the gym fulltime. I had heard from others that it takes 3-6 months to see the results. I am a bit bummed as I didn't know that before I did it. Hope this helps someone. If you want to contact me directly pls e-mail me at:
kiwi1254@yahoo.com.
I had smart lipo done 3 weeks ago on my upper and lower stomach and flanks. After the surgery I noticed little brusing but very sore around the naval area. But my stomach was much smaller and my flanks were gone! However, after 2 days, swelling began to set in due too healing tissues that developed were the proceedure took place. The tissue caused little lumps under my skin that gave my stomach a very uneven appearence. After the first week I returned to my doctor for my follow up and he assured me that this was normal and that my skin will be fully healed after a period of 1-3 months.
Also, no one mentioned that you are supposed to get 3 hot body wraps and 3 massage sessions with smart-lipo. These are very inportant session becasue it helps reduce any swelling and lumps from the healing tissue. And you have to wear a under garmet for around a month. I have had 1 body wrap and 1 massage session, combined both were and hour and a half sessions,and I can see the difference in the swelling.
I will check back in after 3 months to give my final update.
You should only go to doctors who are doing suction along with the laser...leaving the liquefied fat in the body is slow and a bad idea. The, fast results and no weird areas of coagulation.
Hi I had a smartlipo 4 weeks ago with aspiration that states that you see faster results. When I visit certain forums they claim that after one week you get a flat stomach that seems to good to be true. Anyway I just started to see just a little bit of improvements now that and for me it is disapointing and when I email my doctor we told me that in order to see quicker improvements that I should exercise!!! The procedure really hurts and takes 3 weeks before you could even think in exercise. I wish they told me about exercise before and would spend my money on a new exercise machine! Good luck to everyone who is thinking in having a smartlipo!
i had my inner and outer thighs,triceps,abdomen,and flanks(waistline)two weeks ago. Dr.Bridges in Shreveport was my doctor and I am very pleased! I only felt a tiny amount of pain when he injected the anesthesia...I had been given a "cocktail"of different sedatives that made me care less and after the initial injection, I don't remember much of anything. The first three days I stayed at my mom's and rested.Took antibiotics and just slept alot.I didn't need but 2 painkillers on night 4 and 5. I have worn the compression suit non stop, and went down a size on the compression suit today. I still have swelling in the lower back area, and some bruising on my thighs, but no bruising or soreness in arms or stomach. Dr.Bridges includes 4 lymphatic massages with his procedure! I had my first one the week after, and I thought I would not want anyone to touch me because I was still so sore, but it felt wonderful and she definitely knew what she was doing.I am paying to have additional massages because I think they help so much with the swelling and soreness!Also, the massage therapist told me that I should continue to put on the compression garment even once a month maybe just overnight, or during the winter to remind my body of the shape I want it to hold...she said really the garment is the best tool for maintaining and should never be completely discarded, just wear it occasionally if I'm just at home or once in awhile sleep in it. Okay, I'll stop now! I'm very pleased!
I had it done just two days ago on my stomach and chin.
Let me say something: this is not a pain-free solution. Recovery does hurt. I don'k know about the procedure since different anesthesia was used on me (a lighter version of total anesthesia) and I woke up just after the procedure was finished.
There's a lot of bruising, even in areas not related to the procedure (I have some surprising bruises in the base of my penis which I will inquire about on the follow-up). Results are not as immediate as you'd like to think, although I can see clear improvements in my stomach area, however not so many in my chin even though I can feel it very swollen.
I have to wear compression straps for about 3 weeks and can't even think about excersice for a month. We'll see how it turns out. However, if the results stayed where I'm at now, I'd say it wasn't worth it. I have faith that during the upcoming weeks I'll see some serious improvements in the results.
july 7 2008.
Hi, I had my smartlipo on july 2 2008, it went really well, i didn't feel anything at all I don't remember it was totally painless, I had my flanks, upper and lower abdomen and back. I feel yes a little bit sore but not that much to take a painkiller, my follow up is in 2 days, i am swollen and i can't see to much of a difference yet but..... I am not bruised, I had it done at strax rejuvenation florida really good DR, i will update.
I had smartlipo two weeks ago. on my abdomin, flanks and inner thighs. I will say the "shelf" I used to have after 3 c-sections is much smaller. My flank area looks no different and my thighs I see a slight difference. I have noticed a small knot in my left leg, but was assured at my 4 day PO visit that this was normal and to massage. No other lumps. Just major numbness on back and flanks. Feels weird. I am wondering if there is a relationship w/ the numbness and swelling. I was told by both my dr. and his nurse (she had it too) that 4-6 months for results. I am moving to a stage 2 garment tomorrow. I will say the recovery hasn't been that bad. I also did elect to do general and was very happy that I did.
I'm at three weeks now and continue to see positive changes.less swelling in my lower back, but still a little numb. The lady that does the post op massages for my doctor said the compression garment is the key. To wear it as much as possible. If you have not had a lymphatic massage, I would pay to have one a week for at least four weeks...it feels so good, and really helps with swelling and soreness.
I had smart lipo ten days ago on my chin/jowels and stomach area. The procedure on my face was painfree, but I had some pain with the stomach procedure. I had swelling and bruising on my neck to the point that I had to wear turtle necks and use make up on my cheeks to cover the bruising. The doctor that did the procedure said it would take 6 hours to do both areas and it did. I think I am going to be pretty happy with my face. I was worried at first as there was a "ridge" line across one side of my face and the areas that swell move around some. I am still swollen but can see a dramatic difference. I do not have a double chin and the procedure does appear to be tightening my jowels and neck (I am 60, but think I look that old). My BMI was probably too high to make me a good candidate, but I didn't want to get a face lift. I am looking very much better every day and can't wait to see the final results. I think the more fat you have lasered the longer it takes to all come out. I can't bend over easily and do have these odd masses which are fat floating around. I don't think this is a procedure for the faint of heart, but I think it beats the scarring and artificialness of face lifts. I would do it again, but it would have been nice to have a week off of work. I did have traditional lipo about ten years ago and I would say the procedures were comparable in some ways except it takes much longer with traditional lipo to get the collagen back if at all. I will keep you posted.
I had smart lipo with the new laser 6 days ago on upper and lower abs, inner and outer thighs, and "banana flanks." I have a very high tolerence for pain so i was okay with the local but not by any means "painless." Also, it's a very weird feeling when the dr. lasers the stomach area.
The flanks or what some doctors call the "banana lift" hurts the most. I still have to sit on pillows due to the tenderness. For some weird reason, my flanks and stomach feels so much better when the compression garment is worn so I wear it 23 hours a day. I literally wash it every day and immediately put it back on. It actually helps my soreness pain.
As for results, I see a little improvement in my inner thighs but none in the outer yet. I'm horribly bruised and swollen but it's getting better by the day. I was told to use the liquid version of Arnica instead of the gel - its suppose to be more effective for bruising.
I'm going to try the massages and wraps. I'm just concerned about anyone touching my stomach right now. It's so tender to the touch.
I'll try to keep you posted on my results
Look I had my smart lipo 3 months ago and the first two months I thought it wasn't worth it, but now i am really seeing the diference it is really worth it!!!!!
Ohhh I had upper and lower abs, flanks and back, i am telling you its worth it.
About the pain I think that it depends of you and your Dr., because to tell you the truth i didn't feel anything not during or after surgery, not even a bruise only alot of swelling, thats it.
Look I had my smart lipo 3 months ago and the first two months I thought it wasn't worth it, but now i am really seeing the diference it is really worth it!!!!!
Ohhh I had upper and lower abs, flanks and back, i am telling you its worth it.
About the pain I think that it depends of you and your Dr., because to tell you the truth i didn't feel anything not during or after surgery, not even a bruise only alot of swelling, thats it.
It has been 4 months since I had smart lipo,(I posted at 2 weeks,so here is my update) and it keeps getting better!I recommend lymphatic massages as much as possible to help with soreness the first month at least. I have no soreness at all now and the numb feeling is about 95 % gone. It is the best thing I've ever done!
I had smart lipo done 8 days ago on my abdomen.
The Dr's office didn't really inform me of what to expect. I had driven 2 hrs to their office thinking I could drive home after wards. Not! The leaking incisions (thru the compression garments) was really surprising. I was also "loopy" from the sedatives.
I ended up staying at a nearby hotel.
Now I have quite a hard solid lump above the belly button. I'm reading that it's normal but I was not told that by the Dr. I'm also reading about the massages here which I will inquire about. I started working out lightly today.
I only heard good things about smartliop, I had a really nice stomach before with only a little weight gaining the last year so decided to go forth, I only wanted to do my lower abdomon and a little of my flanks I am so sorry I did this, I had to go back and do it again after 3 months, I had a big hard bump and unevenness ontop of my bellybutton It is only 1 week now that I did the second round I also have a hard bump over my bellybutton and an uneven stomach still, just like the first time, the first time the Dr. removed fat from under my breast over the ribs, I told him not to remove from there, he said you have to, to make your whole stomach flat, well now I have a whole under my rib cage because he took it opon him self to redesign my stomach and after the second time him trying to fix the uneveness and bump still looks horrible, the pain was not that bad the second time, but the first "Oh my God" for a good solid month, and then untill I could start exersizing. It is still very swollen and I am only praying it looks normal in the next couple of months, but I'm not sure, my skin is also wrinkley and I never had that before, I just hope there is hope that my stomach will look the way I hoped it would be.
I had smart lipo on my inner/outer thighs and knees 6 weeks ago. Although I am runnning 26+miles a day I see no results prior to my surgery. I am small 5'4 about 128 pounds yet feel my legs were always where I held onto my weight. I am really unhappy and hope results will come. I spent so much money and felt with diet and exercise I would look better. I have gained 6 pounds since the surgery and feel this procedure has not helped. Feedback would be helpful?
way too early to judge... keep wearing compresson suit. had mine done 9 mo ago and its the best thing Ive ever done! i love the results!!
A little over a week ago I had Smart Lipo done to the same areas. I am starting to see a slight difference, but am experiencing all the same side effects. The area around the belly button is still swollen and quite bruised up. The sides have a bit of discomfort and without the compression garment, I can barely sit in a chair. I have resumed my daily workout (but have tuned it down about 70% at the request of my doctor). Am I upset when it comes to these side effects? No. I know it takes time. I was told it might take between 3-6 months to see the full effect. I guess I just have to be patient.
i had smartlipo on my chin 2 days ago, this lunchtime quick fix, ul be back at work next day is a load of rubbish! I found the procedure very painful, i was heavily bruised and sore. If i was working id have to take 3 days off at least, i had lipo suction done on my thighs 4 years ago and can honestly say this felt worse!
I had my lower tommy done 1 year ago and it has been nothing but disappointment. I had complications, infection, black and blue everywhere, major swelling and soreness. I had to buy larger clothes for the first month due to the swelling. The knot in my stomach is still there. I had received 6 lipo disolve treatments along with it and nothing is helping. Truely a waste of money for me.
Connecticut said
11/3/09
I had the water assisted lipo along with the smartlipo about a week ago. the procedure went very well according to my reseach and staff information; the only surprise was all the linking after the procedure I washed my compression garment twice that day along with about 10 towels and 4 outfits. but after the linking stopped I was fine, when shopping the next day and traveled home within 3 days. Now is the waiting for results, I guest I was deceived by all the pictures and thought I would see result in days but now realize it will be months but I can wait. so far I have no lump over my belly button like others have spoke off...thank God. my stomach feels fine yet swollen, my hips are sore to the touch and very swollen one more so than the other becasue the day after the surgery I was getting inthe car and the door swung back and hit me in the hit, boy that hurt. I was not told about any massages or hot wrap but maybe I'll look into it. I will wear this compression garment until spring.
I am having SmartLipo done with a Breast Aug in 5 weeks. So, after the surgery did you swell to a size larger than you were before or to the same size? Will I basically look the same as I do now afterwards or will I be smaller? I'm having inner and outer thigh, a little hip and a little knee.
Thanks.
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