Does Smartlipo Require Any Time Off Work?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a my first baby six months ago. Now I am not really happy with my belly. I have gained some weight that I never had before and can’t seem to get it off. What can I do that will not involve much time off work? I have read about Smartlip which seems like the best option and would not involve being off work.

A: Based on your pictures, you would be an excellent candidate for liposuction done under general anesthesia to really thin down your abdomen and waistline. There is always a misunderstanding that many patients are not aware that ‘Smartlipo’ is real surgery and is just another form of liposuction. While it can in the right patient be done under local or sedation anesthesia, it is still an invasive surgical procedure. It is not some external device that magically melts fat. The best results with Smartlipo are like any other method of liposuction…having it done under general anesthesia (if you want the most fat removed possible) and does involve some recovery.

For a treatment that requires recovery at all, you can consider a non-surgical approach like Vanquish. It will not produce the same result as any form of liposuction but does not involve surgery. It is done a series of office treatments, usually once a week for four to six weeks.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana