smart lipo / lumps - due to doc technique?

veemuir · 03-30-2008, 09:58 PM

it seems like there is already a lot of discussion about lumps and ANY kind of lipo. i have an upcoming procedure and in my consultation and pre-op appointment i asked, relentlessly about lumpiness. my doctor claims that lumps are purely due to doctor technique and skill. is this true? he also claimed he could guarantee no lumps. he also says patients asking for revision is only a handful per year, and they had unrealistic expectations to begin with. i obviously realize he wants my business and may be telling me what i want to hear, so i am researching the crap out of every last detail - and about my doc.

my doc is said to have pioneered liposculpture in the u.s. and he actually has an institute where he trains other doctors around the world. i have read countless articles about him and i *think* i trust him. he was very honest about what i could expect. from my research, he seems like THE doc to see for any type of lipo, perhaps in all of the u.s., but yet i am obsessing.

back to my original question - are lumps really due to doctor technique only?

spy9doc · 03-31-2008, 10:53 AM

Veemuir.......I'll see if I can answer your question. In traditional lipo (not performed with laser) the doc is essentially working "blind". Tumescent fluid is injected into the area which makes it swell. The doc is then working under the skin without being able to see or feel precisely what s/he is doing. It takes a very skilled and experience PS to not have any resultant waviness or lumpiness.

In contrast, SmartLipo (or that technology) uses a much smaller cannula which emits a red beam from the end of the laser wand which the PS can see under the skin and thus better visualize where s/he is working. The smaller cannula plus the liquifying effect of the laser technology enables a much more precise procedure.

What some surgeons are doing is to do the bulk of the lipo with traditional methods to remove larger amounts of fat, and then finishing with SmartLipo to ensure a smooth result.

chameleon · 03-31-2008, 11:17 AM

Let me put in my 2 cents about lumps. Most of the talk on this board over lumps is just the normal healing process. Pretty much EVERYONE gets them at some point. But-I don't know of anyone who is one year out or more who still has them. Since liposculpt is different from s/l I can't weigh in on the post results

Maybe speaking with them would be your best bet. Your doctor making promises that he can't guarantee is a bit odd, could just be the doctor's ego speaking.

good luck!

rcraig · 03-31-2008, 11:26 AM

veemuir if you use this doc please come back and post as I am curious to see it you don't get any lumps! I don't know of one single person that has had this procedure performed and didn't go through the lumpy stage. My doc was one of the very first to do sl, even before it was FDA approved in the US. She is absolutely amazing and also teaches other docs how to perform the procedure. She would NEVER, EVER say that a person will not go through the lumpy stage. She is also very honest about revisions, rather having the patient come back than to take too much out in one session. Whatever doc you chose, reasearch the heck out of him/her, talk to any prior patients and get their input too. Best of luck. rcraig

Luisa · 03-31-2008, 10:05 PM

From my point of view and 8 months after SmartLipo on my abs, I'm 100% sure that the lumps will never go away! The fatty tissue under the skin have been left uneven and even though it has been left a thin layer of fat, everytime I look at it my abdominal area it looks artificial and with tinny& many lumps all over the area.
I do not know how other patients may think 8 months after the smartlipo in the abs area but in my opinion, I should've done more research and learn more about the real results.
You can search by my user name if you need to read more about my unpleasant experience with SmarLipo.

veemuir · 03-31-2008, 10:42 PM

Let me clarify. He did not say there would not be a "lumpy stage" as part of the healing process, but he did promise no permanant lumps, which is what he was saying were all due to doctor skill / technique.

nova29 · 04-01-2008, 02:54 AM

People seem to be confusing tumescent lipo with traditional lipo. Also, they think that smartlipo and tumescent lipo are different things when in fact they don't necessarily exclude each other. Traditional lipo is performed under general anesthesia with large cannulae. Tumescent lipo is a technique that was developed later on which effectively separates the fat from the underlying tissue and therefore allows for a more precise and safe removal of fat. That said, smartlipo can be performed with the tumescent technique or not. Also, saying that smartlipo is more precise is not necessarily true given that for it to be effective the doctor has to go in anyway and suction the fat which, if not done properly, can also leave dents and waviness.

kellyfish · 04-01-2008, 08:55 AM

Just wanted to add that tumesc. lipo if often performed these days with very small cannulas. Not hair-sized ones like smartlipo, but even in 1999 when I had my lipo done it was contour-only and the cannula was so tiny that I had no stitches whatsoever and no resultin* lumps. I am plannin* to have tumescent lipo in the future (I want an additional procedure done by a ps & am not comfortable with any MDs locally who use SL) and my MD specifically stated that since I am countourin* this time, too, she will use a tiny cannula (2mm or so aka microliposuction?)that will be time consumin*, but be very precise..... I suppose what I want to say is that just because you have tumescent it does not mean you will have a wide cannula.....

Luisa · 04-01-2008, 10:43 AM

All I can tell you is that there have been no improvements on my abs for over 3 months and had the SmartLipo done 8 months ago. Had heard the same kind of feedback from people having this surgery done a year ago, on their arms!
Regardless what the statistics say, I can only share with you my own experience. I’m very disappointed with the results and it looks like I have been left with those dents for life time. Been left disfigured after a Smart Lipo it might not be an issue for married people. But for single people, it is very embarrassing to start a new relationship and to have to hide your abs or later on to explain why your abs are looking freakish and so uneven from left to the right and then all over!
Regardless the fact that the laser cannula is very tinny, everybody forgets to bring up the fact that through that incision, the doctor is inserting the fat suction tool which is larger than the laser cannula. My scars are still very visible and it feels pretty hard under the skin tissue. Forget about ever wearing a low cut swim bikini

.

chameleon · 04-01-2008, 11:27 AM

Luisa, I am so sorry to hear about your results. Have you had a follow up with your doc to see about fixing things? Or do you think in the future you could go to someone else to fix things? I understand what you mean about being single, that would totally bug me, you deserve to have a great result.

I wish you luck
chameleon

03-30-2008, 09:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
veemuir Just browsing Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52	smart lipo / lumps - due to doc technique? it seems like there is already a lot of discussion about lumps and ANY kind of lipo. i have an upcoming procedure and in my consultation and pre-op appointment i asked, relentlessly about lumpiness. my doctor claims that lumps are purely due to doctor technique and skill. is this true? he also claimed he could guarantee no lumps. he also says patients asking for revision is only a handful per year, and they had unrealistic expectations to begin with. i obviously realize he wants my business and may be telling me what i want to hear, so i am researching the crap out of every last detail - and about my doc. my doc is said to have pioneered liposculpture in the u.s. and he actually has an institute where he trains other doctors around the world. i have read countless articles about him and i think i trust him. he was very honest about what i could expect. from my research, he seems like THE doc to see for any type of lipo, perhaps in all of the u.s., but yet i am obsessing. back to my original question - are lumps really due to doctor technique only?

03-31-2008, 11:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
rcraig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: california Posts: 1,311 My Mood:	veemuir if you use this doc please come back and post as I am curious to see it you don't get any lumps! I don't know of one single person that has had this procedure performed and didn't go through the lumpy stage. My doc was one of the very first to do sl, even before it was FDA approved in the US. She is absolutely amazing and also teaches other docs how to perform the procedure. She would NEVER, EVER say that a person will not go through the lumpy stage. She is also very honest about revisions, rather having the patient come back than to take too much out in one session. Whatever doc you chose, reasearch the heck out of him/her, talk to any prior patients and get their input too. Best of luck. rcraig __________________ Smartlipo by Dr. xxxxx xxxxxxxxx Center stomach, thighs and back 1/26/06 Happy camper with a new booty!

03-31-2008, 10:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Luisa Just browsing Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC, Charlotte Posts: 41 My Mood:	Lumps stays forever From my point of view and 8 months after SmartLipo on my abs, I'm 100% sure that the lumps will never go away! The fatty tissue under the skin have been left uneven and even though it has been left a thin layer of fat, everytime I look at it my abdominal area it looks artificial and with tinny& many lumps all over the area. I do not know how other patients may think 8 months after the smartlipo in the abs area but in my opinion, I should've done more research and learn more about the real results. You can search by my user name if you need to read more about my unpleasant experience with SmarLipo.

04-01-2008, 10:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Luisa Just browsing Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC, Charlotte Posts: 41 My Mood:	8 Mo after SmartLipo: horrible dents! All I can tell you is that there have been no improvements on my abs for over 3 months and had the SmartLipo done 8 months ago. Had heard the same kind of feedback from people having this surgery done a year ago, on their arms! Regardless what the statistics say, I can only share with you my own experience. I’m very disappointed with the results and it looks like I have been left with those dents for life time. Been left disfigured after a Smart Lipo it might not be an issue for married people. But for single people, it is very embarrassing to start a new relationship and to have to hide your abs or later on to explain why your abs are looking freakish and so uneven from left to the right and then all over! Regardless the fact that the laser cannula is very tinny, everybody forgets to bring up the fact that through that incision, the doctor is inserting the fat suction tool which is larger than the laser cannula. My scars are still very visible and it feels pretty hard under the skin tissue. Forget about ever wearing a low cut swim bikini .

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03-31-2008, 10:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
spy9doc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 234	Veemuir.......I'll see if I can answer your question. In traditional lipo (not performed with laser) the doc is essentially working "blind". Tumescent fluid is injected into the area which makes it swell. The doc is then working under the skin without being able to see or feel precisely what s/he is doing. It takes a very skilled and experience PS to not have any resultant waviness or lumpiness. In contrast, SmartLipo (or that technology) uses a much smaller cannula which emits a red beam from the end of the laser wand which the PS can see under the skin and thus better visualize where s/he is working. The smaller cannula plus the liquifying effect of the laser technology enables a much more precise procedure. What some surgeons are doing is to do the bulk of the lipo with traditional methods to remove larger amounts of fat, and then finishing with SmartLipo to ensure a smooth result.

03-31-2008, 11:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
chameleon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: california Posts: 247 My Mood:	Let me put in my 2 cents about lumps. Most of the talk on this board over lumps is just the normal healing process. Pretty much EVERYONE gets them at some point. But-I don't know of anyone who is one year out or more who still has them. Since liposculpt is different from s/l I can't weigh in on the post results Maybe speaking with them would be your best bet. Your doctor making promises that he can't guarantee is a bit odd, could just be the doctor's ego speaking. good luck!

03-31-2008, 10:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
veemuir Just browsing Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 52	Let me clarify. He did not say there would not be a "lumpy stage" as part of the healing process, but he did promise no permanant lumps, which is what he was saying were all due to doctor skill / technique.

04-01-2008, 02:54 AM	#7 (permalink)
nova29 Just browsing Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: los angeles Posts: 55 My Mood:	People seem to be confusing tumescent lipo with traditional lipo. Also, they think that smartlipo and tumescent lipo are different things when in fact they don't necessarily exclude each other. Traditional lipo is performed under general anesthesia with large cannulae. Tumescent lipo is a technique that was developed later on which effectively separates the fat from the underlying tissue and therefore allows for a more precise and safe removal of fat. That said, smartlipo can be performed with the tumescent technique or not. Also, saying that smartlipo is more precise is not necessarily true given that for it to be effective the doctor has to go in anyway and suction the fat which, if not done properly, can also leave dents and waviness.

04-01-2008, 08:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
kellyfish Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 103 My Mood:	Just wanted to add that tumesc. lipo if often performed these days with very small cannulas. Not hair-sized ones like smartlipo, but even in 1999 when I had my lipo done it was contour-only and the cannula was so tiny that I had no stitches whatsoever and no resultin* lumps. I am plannin* to have tumescent lipo in the future (I want an additional procedure done by a ps & am not comfortable with any MDs locally who use SL) and my MD specifically stated that since I am countourin* this time, too, she will use a tiny cannula (2mm or so aka microliposuction?)that will be time consumin*, but be very precise..... I suppose what I want to say is that just because you have tumescent it does not mean you will have a wide cannula.....

04-01-2008, 11:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
chameleon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: california Posts: 247 My Mood:	Luisa, I am so sorry to hear about your results. Have you had a follow up with your doc to see about fixing things? Or do you think in the future you could go to someone else to fix things? I understand what you mean about being single, that would totally bug me, you deserve to have a great result. I wish you luck chameleon