Swelling can take up to full six months, depending on the area

Improvement following liposuction can be apparent as early as a week or two. The amount of area and the complexity of the procedure, including the amount of volume removed, will often affect the length of time to see the final result. Small areas of contouring may show good results in 4-6 weeks, whereas, larger areas such as a full torso or circumferential thighs often take a full 6 months to see the final results, although about 90% of the improvement is seen at 6-12 weeks. Tightness often accompanies areas of liposuction in the first few months. If there is bruising it is generally resolves within 3 weeks.

Swelling after liposuction sometimes takes a long time to resolve. Your contour will continue to change and improve over the course of a few months, and you might now achieve your final result until a year after surgery.

Irregularities after liposuction usually flatten out, but occasionally these persistent irregularities are related to excessive removal of superficial fat, leaving a 'dent'. These can be troublesome, and some part of the body of susceptible to these contour irregularities (lateral thigh, inferior gluteal fold). Wait a few months before asking your surgeon for any 'touch-up' procedures.

I agree with the other commentators about post-op massage for liposuction. It works. In our clinic, we have used a gentle course of Endermologie, which appears to minimize soft tissue edema somewhat, and it feels good.

Most Kindly.

Numbness, bumpiness and swelling are common and normal after liposuction. Time, regular exercise, and gentle massage generally resolves these issues.

Most patients will see 80% of their result at 1 month after surgery but the final result will not be seen until after all swelling resolves and the tissues have had a chance to shrink. This is usually 4 to 6 months postop.

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