Liposuction - Related FAQ's

Q: I had SmartLipo a few years ago but my stomach looks so wrinkled now. Is there anything I can do?

A: Depending on the reason for the wrinkling, you may benefit from Thermage treatment to tighten the skin. Fraxel Restore laser may help the texture and if neither help enough, or if it is deemed appropriate, you might be a candidate for an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).

Q: I had SmartLipo a few months ago and I am still sore. Could something be wrong?

A: As SmartLipo utilizes heat from the laser in addition to the normal trauma of liposuction, you should see your surgeon to ensure that there is no complication such as an infection or scar tissue.

Q: My friend and I both had liposuction by the same surgeon and we both had it done on our bellies. I’m doing well but my friend has to see the surgeon daily to have some fluid drawn out from a swollen area. Will she heal OK?

A: After liposuction, there is a small chance of developing a seroma, which is a collection of clear fluid and this will often reaccumulate until eventually the body “walls off” the fluid collection. Compression garments are helpful but the drainage is important. Usually people heal with no ill effect after the seroma disappears.

Q: I had liposuction five weeks ago but my stomach is still swollen. Is this normal?

A: Liposuction is surgery and your body heals with tissue fluid changes. Inflammation, which is a healthy part of healing, involves fluid accumulation. Especially if you’re active, you might see more fluid initially. Over four to eight weeks the swelling settles down but continues to decrease for some patients, longer.

Q: Will I need drains after liposuction?

A: NO, generally not. Liposuction will cause swelling, but not necessarily free fluid that needs to drain. If there is free fluid that is found in the post operative period to have collected in one area, then a seroma may have occurred and this can be drained, but this is very rare.

Q: I am currently breast feeding and want to undergo abdominal liposuction. Would I be doing my baby any harm?

A: We don’t think there would be any problems, but we don’t have enough research or data to say that the lidocaine (anesthetic) or adrenaline in the local anesthetic mixture doesn’t cross from your blood stream into breast milk and then affect your infant with toxic levels for their small size. As you are considering an elective procedure for cosmetic reasons, it would be more prudent to delay your liposuction until after you no longer breast feed your baby.

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