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

Swelling usually peaks at 2-3 days after liposuction. Your weight at 5 days may still be higher than your pre op weight due to the retained swelling.

It takes about 2 weeks for the swelling to really abate.

As the swelling and bruising goes down, you will notice a big decrease in your soreness.

Lymphatic massages performed twice a week over the first 3 weeks after surgery help to remove the stagnant lymphatic fluid laden with cellular debris.

Following each lymphatic massage patients feel a huge decrease in swelling and soreness. (Gilbert Lee, MD, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

With liposuction I always discuss with my patients the game of patience. You will continue to swell for the next 24-72 hours after surgery before swelling will peak and then start to go down.

Over the next 4-6 weeks you will find a majority of the swelling diminishing. I typically will take post-operative photos at 3 months as this is when you are able to see a majority of the swelling gone.

I always remind my patients that it could possibly be another 3 months before the final minimal amount of swelling has diminished. I provide post-operative compression garments which I request be worn 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the first two week and then only 12 hours a day for weeks 3 and 4 post-operative.

I find that the utilization of compression with taking it easy over the first 2 weeks helps to reduce swelling and any discomfort. Depending where on the body the liposuction is performed you could experience a deep soar feeling, much like a deep intense bruise for the first 7-10 days and still be a little sensitive in those areas into 3 and 4 weeks post-operative.
Liposuction is a wonderful treatment allowing my patients the ability to achieve the contour they are working so hard to achieve with minimal downtime. (Ronald Downs, MD, FACS, South Bend Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction swelling and pain post-operative

Liposuction is a wonderful treatment to help contour those areas that are not responding to diet and exercise. I typically will request my patients refrain from exercise for 2-3 weeks following liposuction wearing their compression garment day and night only removing to shower for the first 2 weeks and then 12 hrs a day for the next 2 weeks.

At 3 weeks post-operative I will discuss easing back into a more vigorous exercise routine. I have found that requesting a 2-3 week break from exercising post-operative helps to minimize swelling. A feeling of a deep intense bruise is perfectly normal, especially if bumped in the area you were treated for up to 4 weeks post-operative.
Swelling is normally subsiding by this time with a majority of the swelling diminished by 3 months. The last 5-10%, which is very difficult to notice, may take an additional 3 months to subside. Liposuction is a wonderful treatment to help contour your body with minimal downtime. (Patrick Viscardi, MD, South Bend Plastic Surgeon)

The discomfort and pain from liposuction are variable between one patient and the next. Some patients require narcotic pain medications, while others get by with Tylenol or nothing at all. Swelling after liposuction takes a bit longer to resolve.

For most patients, the swelling should be 90% resolved within about the first 6 weeks, with the residual swelling gradually subsiding over the first 6 months. Compression garments, along with early massage (we advise patients to use a rolling-pin) help to hasten the resolution of the early swelling, and also seem to de-sensitize the areas of liposuction.
After 6 months, both the patient and the surgeon should have a good idea of the long-term outcome of the surgery. (Athleo Louis Cambre, MD, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Bruising and swelling after liposuction are expected postoperative findings. Bruising often takes 4-6 weeks to completely resolve and swelling often lags behind, sometimes sticking around for 3-4 months depending upon the extent of your liposuction operation itself.

As you can imagine, a greater extent of liposuction will create more space in which to accumulate swelling. Your patience and adherence to your plastic surgeon’s postoperative regimen of activity restriction, compression garments and possibly post operative massage will serve you well in appreciating your final result. (Rachel Streu, MD, Portland Plastic Surgeon)

Post-operatively to help minize swelling we recommend our patients wear a light compression garment for approximately two weeks.
This light weight garment aids in minimizing swelling and most patients continue to wear this garment for comfort too. We also teach our patients the importance of lower extremity elevation post-operatively which also aids in minimizing bruising.

To aid in minimizing bruising Arnica post-operatively may help. Remember swelling and bruising will subside in time. The majority subsiding within two weeks.

The final results may take up to 4-6 months. Continued follow – up with your surgeon should help ensure that you have a smooth recovery. (Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

The amount of recovery from liposuction depends greatly on the extent of the operation. If liposuction is performed on only a few relatively small areas of excess fat, then the recovery is much faster than a multiple-area, high-volume liposuction (more than five liters).

Drainage from the liposuction incisions is highest during the first few days. Even with small volume liposuction, expect several days of limited activity and time away from work. With extensive liposuction, expected a full six weeks or longer of recovery to start feeling closer to normal and of compression garment use. (Paul Fortes, MD, Houston Plastic Surgeon)

Swelling and some discomfort is normal after lipo

Each individual is different, but it generally takes a few days to a few weeks for most soreness and discomfort to subside. Most patients who undergo tumescent liposuction at my practice are able to return to work after just a few days, and can manage any remaining discomfort with over the counter medications.

Swelling takes longer to resolve, and may not completely subside for up to six months.

When I had liposuction done to my love handles, I went out to dinner with my friend who performed the procedure that evening; I performed liposuction on a patient the next day; and I did a 60 mile bike ride 2 days later. (Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon)

If Liposuction and preferably Liposelection ( Vaser ) is done meticulously by an experienced board certified plastic surgeon, patient should not have significant amount of pain after 5-7 days. It takes up to 6 weeks for the swelling to improve/go away.

Wearing a copmpression garment and lymphatic massage would reduce therecovery time. (Fereydoon S. Mahjouri, MD, Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon)