Aveli® is a minimally invasive cellulite treatment designed to release the fibrous connective tissue bands responsible for visible cellulite dimples on the buttocks and thighs. Although the procedure is generally well tolerated, it involves introducing a specialised instrument beneath the skin and mechanically releasing connective tissue structures.
As with any minimally invasive surgical procedure, Aveli® carries potential risks, side effects and complications, which should be carefully considered before treatment.
Most reported side effects are temporary and include bruising, swelling, tenderness and discomfort. However, less common complications may occur, including infection, bleeding, altered skin sensation, contour irregularities and unsatisfactory cosmetic results.
At his plastic surgery practice in Doha, Qatar, Dr. Ali Soueid emphasises careful patient selection, appropriate procedural planning, informed consent and individualised aftercare to help minimise avoidable risks.
Common and Expected Side Effects
1. Bruising (Ecchymosis)
Bruising is one of the most common effects following Aveli® treatment. It occurs because small blood vessels within the subcutaneous tissues may be disrupted during the release of fibrous septa.
What to expect: Purple, blue or yellow discolouration over the treated buttocks or thighs. Bruising may become more noticeable during the first few days before gradually resolving over the following weeks.
How to minimise it: Inform Dr. Soueid about anticoagulant medications and supplements, avoid strenuous activity during early recovery and follow the recommended aftercare instructions.
2. Swelling (Oedema)
Temporary swelling occurs as part of the body’s normal inflammatory response to tissue manipulation.
What to expect: Mild to moderate fullness, puffiness or tightness in the treated areas. Swelling generally improves progressively, although some patients may experience prolonged localised swelling.
How to minimise it: Avoid activities that aggravate discomfort, follow any recommended compression instructions and allow adequate recovery time.
3. Pain, Tenderness and Discomfort
Patients may experience aching, soreness or tenderness after the local anaesthetic wears off.
What to expect: Discomfort when touching the treated areas, sitting or performing certain physical activities. Symptoms generally improve over the first several days.
How to minimise it: Take recommended pain relief, wear comfortable clothing and gradually resume normal activities as tolerated.
Severe or progressively worsening pain is not expected and requires medical assessment.
4. Temporary Firmness or Small Lumps
Localised firmness or palpable irregularities may develop as the tissues recover from treatment.
What to expect: Small areas of firmness, tenderness or unevenness beneath the skin. These may improve as swelling resolves and tissue healing progresses.
How to minimise it: Avoid aggressive massage or manipulation unless specifically recommended. Persistent, enlarging or painful lumps should be examined.
5. Temporary Changes in Skin Sensation
Small sensory nerve branches may be irritated during treatment.
What to expect: Temporary numbness, tingling, heightened sensitivity or altered sensation in the treated areas.
How to minimise it: Careful anatomical technique and avoiding unnecessary tissue disruption help reduce the risk. Persistent or worsening sensory changes should be assessed.
Less Common and Potentially Significant Complications
6. Haematoma (Collection of Blood)
A haematoma occurs when blood collects beneath the skin following injury to a blood vessel.
Warning signs: Increasing swelling, a painful expanding lump, significant bruising or worsening pressure within the treated area.
Risk reduction: Appropriate assessment of bleeding risks, careful technique and review of relevant medications.
An expanding haematoma requires prompt medical assessment and may occasionally require drainage.
7. Infection
Although the procedure is performed using sterile techniques, bacteria may enter through the skin entry sites.
Warning signs: Increasing redness, warmth, swelling, pain, pus, unpleasant discharge or fever.
Risk reduction: Appropriate skin preparation, sterile technique, careful wound care and avoidance of contaminated water until the entry sites have healed.
Infection may require antibiotics, drainage or further intervention.
8. Skin Contour Irregularities
Although Aveli® aims to improve cellulite dimples, uneven tissue release or individual healing differences may occasionally produce new or persistent surface irregularities.
What to expect: Asymmetry, shallow depressions, uneven contours or areas that appear different from the surrounding skin.
Risk reduction: Accurate identification of responsible septa, careful treatment planning and controlled tissue release.
Some irregularities improve as swelling resolves, while persistent changes may require further assessment.
9. Overcorrection or Excessive Tissue Release
Releasing connective tissue bands that do not contribute to visible cellulite may unnecessarily disrupt the supporting tissue architecture.
What to expect: Unwanted changes in contour, tissue irregularities or an appearance that differs from the intended result.
Risk reduction: Selective identification and release of the fibrous septa responsible for individual cellulite dimples.
Further correction may be difficult and is not always possible.
10. Under-Correction or Persistent Cellulite
Not all cellulite dimples can be completely corrected with Aveli®.
What to expect: Residual depressions, incomplete improvement or persistent uneven skin texture.
Risk reduction: Appropriate patient selection, realistic treatment planning and careful distinction between fibrous septa-related dimples and other causes of skin irregularity.
Additional treatment may be considered in selected cases, but complete correction cannot be guaranteed.
11. Scarring at the Entry Sites
Aveli® is performed through small skin entry points, which usually heal with minimal visible scarring.
However, any skin incision can result in a permanent scar.
What to expect: Small marks, changes in pigmentation or, rarely, raised or thickened scars.
Risk reduction: Careful entry-site placement, appropriate wound care and avoidance of unnecessary trauma during healing.
Patients with a history of hypertrophic or keloid scarring should inform their treating clinician.
12. Skin Discolouration and Pigmentation Changes
Bruising and inflammation may occasionally lead to temporary or persistent changes in skin pigmentation.
What to expect: Brownish discolouration following bruising, particularly in patients prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Risk reduction: Minimising tissue trauma, appropriate aftercare and avoiding unnecessary sun exposure during recovery.
Pigmentation changes may take several months to improve and can occasionally persist.
13. Seroma (Fluid Collection)
A seroma is a collection of fluid beneath the skin that can develop following tissue disruption.
Warning signs: A persistent or enlarging soft swelling, a fluctuant lump or localised discomfort.
Risk reduction: Careful procedural technique and appropriate post-treatment monitoring.
Some collections resolve spontaneously, while others may require investigation or drainage.
14. Prolonged Inflammation or Delayed Healing
Although most patients recover without significant difficulty, healing may be prolonged in some individuals.
What to expect: Persistent swelling, tenderness, redness or delayed closure of entry sites.
Risk reduction: Optimising general health, avoiding smoking, managing relevant medical conditions and following wound-care instructions.
Persistent inflammation should be assessed to exclude infection or another complication.
15. Injury to Surrounding Structures
The Aveli® device operates within the subcutaneous tissue, where small blood vessels, sensory nerves and other structures are present.
Unintended injury may cause bleeding, pain, altered sensation or tissue damage.
Risk reduction: Appropriate anatomical knowledge, correct treatment depth and controlled use of the device.
Significant injury is not expected but remains a potential procedural risk.
16. Skin Injury or Tissue Necrosis
Significant disruption of the local blood supply may, in rare circumstances, result in skin injury or tissue necrosis.
Warning signs: Severe or increasing pain, blistering, dark or unusually pale skin, or areas that fail to heal.
Risk reduction: Careful technique, preservation of tissue vascularity and prompt recognition of complications.
Suspected tissue ischaemia requires urgent medical assessment.
17. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions may occur in response to local anaesthetics, antiseptic solutions, dressings or other products used during treatment.
Warning signs: Localised rash, itching, redness or swelling. Severe reactions may cause breathing difficulty, widespread hives or circulatory collapse.
Risk reduction: Reviewing previous allergies and selecting appropriate products.
A severe allergic reaction is a medical emergency.
18. Local Anaesthetic Complications
Local anaesthesia is generally safe when appropriately administered, but complications can occur.
These include temporary discomfort at injection sites, bruising, vasovagal episodes and, very rarely, systemic local anaesthetic toxicity.
Warning signs of toxicity: Metallic taste, ringing in the ears, circumoral numbness, dizziness, confusion, seizures or cardiac disturbances.
Risk reduction: Appropriate dosing, careful injection technique, monitoring and access to emergency equipment.
19. Asymmetry Between Treated Areas
The buttocks and thighs are naturally asymmetrical, and cellulite dimples may differ in depth, number and distribution.
Even when treatment is carefully planned, both sides may not respond identically.
What to expect: Differences in skin smoothness or contour between the right and left sides.
Risk reduction: Careful pre-treatment assessment, photography and realistic discussion of achievable results.
Perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
20. Unsatisfactory Cosmetic Outcome
Some patients may feel that the improvement achieved does not meet their expectations.
This may occur because of persistent cellulite, associated skin laxity, untreated dimples or individual differences in healing.
Risk reduction: Clear discussion of treatment limitations, appropriate candidate selection and realistic expectations before proceeding.
Aveli® is designed to improve selected cellulite dimples rather than completely eliminate cellulite or correct every type of skin irregularity.
