Is It Possible to Have 20lbs of Swelling After Liposuction?

asked 11 months ago by Brina1234 in Dallas
Latest answer by Ronald Shelton, MD
Question viewed 586 times
Tags: 170-189 lbs, 1 week post-op, swelling, weight gain

I had surgery on Tuesday I went in at 165. Dr took 7.5 liters. I am very swollen and I weigh 175 today. I have not felt much like eating.. Can't be that. Can I really have 20lbs of water weight????

8 answers to Is It Possible to Have 20lbs of Swelling After Liposuction?

Swelling after lipo is normal

Be assured, swelling and weight gain are routine after liposuction. The more fat removed, the more weight gain. The reason is that the blood vessels become very leaky soon after the procedure and fluid inside your blood vessels begins to escape into the tissues, causing swelling and weight gain. Make sure you are wearing your compression garments and keeping you lower extremities elevated when you sit. You will be fine. Just see your doctor for reassurance. Dr. Lille

Sean T. Lille, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction - I'm 20 Pounds Heavier Than I Was Pre-Op - Is That Possible?

HI Brina1234, Yes, it is possible. It's actually a combination of fluid that is still in you, and swelling that has accumulated. The scale does not lie (perhaps unfortunately!). And it takes a long time to see the final results from a lipo: 4-6 weeks for 80-85% of the result, 3 months for 95%, up to six months (or longer) for the final result. The first stage is for swelling to rush into the areas that have been treated, so it's not surprising that you... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Fluid retention after liposuction

7.5 liters is a very large volume to remove. This might have been fat and fluid removed, not just fat, but regardless, removing more than 4 liters of supranatant fat (the layer on top of the substance removed) is not common in many practices. There can be issues with fluid shifts and stress on the heart and lungs, so it is worth you discussing your current condition with your surgeon and to be examined.

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

That's 10lbs

Going from 165 to 175lbs is a ten pound weight gain (not 20lbs). Regardless, I never weight the patients right after surgery but rather at 6 to 8 weeks post surgery to allow most of the swelling to go away. It is normal to be swollen and more important is how you feel and look? if you feel fine and can see the result of liposuction then I would just wait for at least 8 weeks.

Andre Aboolian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after liposuction: normal

With most types of liposuction you actually inject as much fluid or more, as you remove, therefore it is normal not to notice an initial weight loss after liposuction, despite having large volume liposuction. If you think about the amount of liposuction you had done which is over 17 pounds, your plastic surgeon probably injected that much of wetting fluid. This is a lot of fluid and this is why liposuction can be dangerous, especially if not managed correctly in the first hours and days... more

Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after liposuction

While swelling is common after liposuction, gaining 20 lbs is not. Concerns about fluid retention due to poor heart function would be of concern. Check with your doctor.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Is It Possible to Have 20lbs of Swelling After Liposuction?

Possible but unlikely. Call your chosen surgeon ASAP it is not the norm. You could be in severe fluid retention or edema, even CHF or pulmonary edema.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after liposuction

Swelling after liposuction is common and the larger the volume removed, the more you will swell. My advice is to put the scale in your closet and not get it out for 6 months. Lipo is not a weight loss procedure - it is a contouring procedure. Hopefully you have a follow up appointment scheduled with your doctor and they can examine you and make sure you are healing appropriately. Good Luck.