Liposuction: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Vaser liposuction is somewhat unique in that it requires significant patience before it’s possible to assess final results.

The amount of swelling and the time to overcome the swelling depends on a few different factors. Different parts of the body respond differently to liposuction.

Typically, chin and neck liposuction have the shortest time of swelling, and final results can be seen within a month or two.

Lower extremities, particularly calves and ankles, can have swelling that lasts three to six months.

Another variable is how much fat has been removed. In high BMI patients, when liposuction is done aggressively, patients may experience swelling for several months.

To generalize, patients should expect maximum swelling about 10 days after the procedure.

Patients will typically go through a phase where the areas treated will feel hard and lumpy and sometimes uneven.

This typically happens between two to four weeks after the procedure. At three to six weeks, 75% of the swelling should be gone.

Results will be close to final by three months, and results at six months can, for the most part, be considered final.

Prematurely assessing final results after liposuction is perhaps the most common inquiry on RealSelf. (Mats Hagstrom, MD, San Francisco Plastic Surgeon)

After vaser liposuction there is an immediate contour change which is very pleasant. This change is due to removal of the fatty deposits (fat cells).

Following this phase a swelling phase where the tissues are full of fluid and this can remain for 3- 6 months but sometimes as long as a year. (Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction and Swelling Post-op

My general rule is that it takes 6 months for the swelling and healing after liposuction. This can include numbness and nerve-pain. Even the lumpiness can be normal after liposuction and should be evaluated throughout the healing process, but I tend to recommend waiting.

If the lumpiness or uneven areas are still present after 6 months, a smaller “touch-up” procedure can be done. This isn’t common, but can be in about 5 ot 10% of patients. One complication that can arise from vaser liposuction is called a seroma.

This is a fluid filled pocket that can form under the skin in the first few weeks after the procedure. They usually do require drainage. You should always call your doctor’s office and ask to be seen if you are having any worries. (Jennifer Reichel, MD, Seattle Dermatologist)

Swelling after liposuctioning is very common and will usually subside after several months. The fluid accumulated is usually called serous fluid, not blood. Continue with mild compression to the areas treated with your garment for several weeks, and you may even try gentle massaging in an effort to break up some of these fluid accumulations.

In the future, limited ultrasound treatments may be tried for areas that stubbornly don’t change. (Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD, Tampa Plastic Surgeon)

Vaser liposuction swelling – how long until it goes down

Minimal to moderate and symmetrical swelling after liposuction is not uncommon and should go down rather rappidly. Some degrees of numbness is not unusual and will go away in less than two months. If liposuction is done with vaser ( liposelection) the recovery is a lot faster.

If you are feeling some lumpiness or fluid accomulation they need to be addressed by agressive massage therapy or aspiration. Please consult with your surgeon. (Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)

Usually at 6 weeks, most of the swelling is gone but it can persist for up to 6 months.

The duration depends on:

• How aggressive the fat extraction was.
• Laser or ultrasonic used.
• Location of removal.
• Amount of fat removed.
• Whether the surgery was a primary or secondary procedure.

Other factors include compliance of the compression garment and how well it fits, diet habits, and activity. (Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, Bay Area Dermatologist)

Recovery times vary for each patient. I usually tell my patients swelling lasts for about 3 months. Remember the use of compression garments is very important. (Jaime Perez, MD, Tampa Plastic Surgeon)

Tissue massage is critical after Liposuction is performed

It is important to communicate to the prospective patient what the surgical after-care period will involves, and its typical duration. This is particularily importantant after lower extremity area liposuction. It can takes months of regular/daily massaging before the final result can be fully appreciated.

In some cases, we also recommend edermologie to the area to hasten the resolution of swelling and softening of the tissue. (Sergio Pasquale Maggi, MD, FACS, Austin Plastic Surgeon)

Swelling after vaser liposuction may take several months to subside. In general, I advise my patients to begin endermologie treatment at an early stage of their recovery and warn them about the use of compression garments.

Arnica and Bromelain supplements such as BruisePak also work to ameliorate swelling. (Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

In most cases, swelling, irregularities, and numbness disappear approximately six months after the procedure. At six weeks there is still a fair amount of edema and interference with normal lymphatic drainage. Often, I recommend drainage massage at this point and ultrasonic treatments to help mobilize the tissues.

My recent experience with Slim Lipo laser assisted liposuction is that there is significantly less swelling and bruising after Slim Lipo when compared to traditional liposuction.

This may be due to the fact that the procedure is far less traumatic and that the laser coagulates the smaller blood vessels thereby reducing bruising. (Joel B. Singer, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction swelling occurs during the first 3-4 days after the procedure and starts to go away after 1 week. At a month you should see a noticeable difference and the majority of swelling resolves in 3-4 months with some lingering up to 6 months. (David Hansen, MD, Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon)

It takes about 3 months for the swelling, numbness, and scar tissue to settle down.

During this time, you should be decreasing your salt intake, massaging the treated areas daily, and supporting the areas with garments. (Justin Yovino, MD, FACS, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction Recovery – Swelling resolves quickly

Patients may return to work one to two days following vaser liposuction. The benefits of liposuction are visible immediately, and they improve over the course of six months. 80-90% of the swelling is usually gone by six weeks. (David Stoker, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)