If you're at a healthy weight but have pockets of fat on your body that you want to eliminate, liposuction can help obtain your goals. Unfortunately, there are a few disadvantages associated with conventional liposuction. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and requires a significant recovery period.

A terrific alternative to traditional liposuction is a procedure referred to as Smartlipo. Smartlipo is actually a type of laser liposuction. During the procedure, your doctor inserts a tube containing the laser into the area that you want to reduce fat from. The laser emits energy into the fat, causing it to melt. Your doctor then removes the fat with a suction device. If you decide that Smartlipo is right for you, here are a few things to do after your procedure.

1. Wear a Compression Garment

You can have Smartlipo performed on multiple areas of the body, including the stomach, arms, legs, face, neck, and buttocks. It is possible to treat multiple areas during a single session.

When possible, you should wear a compression garment for a couple weeks after your procedure. Though your incision sites will be small, the garment will help support the area until it completely hills. Many patients find that they are more comfortable during the healing process when they use compression garments. 

2. Maintain Your Weight

Like other fat removal procedures, for the best results, you should maintain your weight after your Smartlipo procedure. Liposuction permanently decreases the number of fat cells in the treated area. Should you gain weight, this can cause the treated areas to appear bumpy or irregularly shaped, as the smaller number of fat cells try to fill out the space. You may also gain larger amounts of fat in areas where you have not had liposuction. 

3. Take a Day or Two Off Work

After your Smartlipo session, you only need to take a day or two off work to recover before resuming your normal daily activities. This is a stark contrast to the downtime associated with traditional liposuction. There is no hospital stay, so you can relax in the comfort of your own home. 

4. Be Patient

Even though your initial Smartlipo results are easily visible about a week after your session, you may continue to see an improvement for months after the procedure. Some patients experience even more results for up to six months after the session. Usually, you only need one round of Smartlipo to achieve your desired physique.