Looking Fatter After Liposuction? Doctor Answers, Tips
Liposuction: Q&A
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Looking Fatter After Liposuction?

I had liposuction on my Stomach and 'Love handles' 9 days ago. I'm concerned because of the amount of numbness and lumpiness in my stomach. My stomach also looks bigger, and the jeans I wore before surgery do not fit right now. I am wearing a compression garment and following all the doctors instructions. Is this normal? What should i do? I can still pull a handful of fat from my stomach, and the doctor said he removed 1300 ccs of fat. Please help! Thanks!

16 Doctor Answers | Asked by Bobby34567
+2

Early swelling after Liposuction. Is it normal?

You are experiencing fluid collection in the area treated and this is 100% normal as lymphatics are temporarily obstructed. It takes months for this to resolve  but each week you will look better.  Avoid salt...Sodium...and restrict to 1500 mg a day or less.  Do not gain weight by calories.  Be patient.  It takes 12 months to heal and that is part of the bargain when a person has elective or any surgery.  By 3 months you will look better.  In fact by 6 weeks more
+2

Swelling after liposuction

Swelling is indeed common after liposuction.  This swelling comes from both the areas that had surgery, as well as from the body as a whole.  This comes from inflammatory mediators that cause swelling in the entire body, including hands, toes, etc.  It is a normal consqeuence of healing from surgery.  Seroma formation nowadays is very rare indeed now that ultrasound is less commonly performed.  Use of the laser may predispose to longer healing times and seroma... more
+2

At no point in the post op period should you look fatter after lipo than you did before.

There is swelling after liposuction for the first 3-4 days then the swelling starts to go down but the swelling is never bigger than you did before the liposuction.  You may be developing a fluid collection called a hematoma/seroma which the doc can drain easily.  See your doc and follow his instructions.

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+1

Liposuction results take time

It is normal in most cases to have quite a bit of swelling and even some numbness 9 days after abdominal and flank liposuction.  This takes time!  I tell my patients you will see some results at 3-4 weeks, 80% of the result at 4 months, and final results at 6 months.  There are several things you can do in the postoperative period such as limiting your dietary salt intake which helps.  Most surgeons "close" or suture the incisions after liposuction; howver,... more
+1

Expect swelling for many weeks after liposuction

Swelling is significant in the first month to two after liposuction is normal. Compression garments and a "tincture of time" is what's needed for the vast majority of patients to realize the good end result. Be patient and continue to see your surgeon in follow up.
+1

It is a trade - lose fat cells permanently- gain water temporarily

In tumescent liposuction, often several quarts of numbing water solution are infiltrated into the areas being treated. We always tell our patients we are making a trade- they give us their fat cells and we give them water. Its a trade everyone is most happy to make! Depending on the specific technique used, you may have considerably more water present at the end of the procedure than the actual volume of fat cells removed!  If you combine that with the inevitable... more
+1

Swelling after liposuction stays longer than nine days

Bruising and swelling after liposuction will last several weeks, and the compression garments are used specifically to address this issue. Our patients will stay in some form of compression at least four weeks to speed healing and reduce bruising. If the picture you posted is truly your before of your abdomen, one can wonder what the liposuction was meant to improve upon in the first place. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd
+1

Swelling after liposuction

Swelling after liposuction is normal. The final result will be seen after 6-12 months. Wear your compression garment in the first two weeks.
+1

Swelling 9 days after liposuction.

This is absolutely normal. 9 days is VERY EARLY. Swelling may easily last for 2 months before you notice any significant change. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. It is early in the post operative period and I am sure you will be in for multiple visits.
+1

Post-op liposuction

You are too early post-op at this point. You have to give it 3-4 months minimum to see the results of the procedure.
+1

Bigger AFTER Liposuction?

It is not uncommon to have a moderate amount of swelling after liposuction. That, along with the likelihood that some of the Tumescent fluid (helps with bleeding and pain control) that was infused into the areas in which you had liposuction may remain (although that would only apply for the first 1-3 days after surgery) Edema, or swelling, can persist for days to weeks after Liposuction, and can worsen with increases in activity. That is why it is important to wear your compressive... more
+1

Fatter after liposuction

There is a lot of swelling and inflammation associated with liposuction post-op.  This swelling will continue to go down over the next few weeks.    It is unclear from your photographs what you are referring to exactly.  If you have any concerns, I would recommend going back to your surgeon - I'm sure he/she would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.
+1

Looking "fatter" after liposuction

Thank you for the photos. I'm a little confused about them .The one on the left is standing and the one on the right is sitting. You look "fatter" in the sitting one. Which is the postop? You can get some swelling after liposuction, but you should not look larger than prior to surgery. What you are pinching could be swollen tissue or fluid in the tissues and not fat. The lumpiness will go away with time. Lymphatic massage therapy would be very helpful in your case to speed up... more
+1

Gosh, with your flat tummy, it is hard to see where that much fat came from!

Dear Pitousee While your follow visit with your surgeon may not be for a few weeks, I can assure you that your surgeon will want to assess your concerns.  It is very common to swell after surgery.  I notice that in the before photos you are standing and in the after photo it appears that you are sitting.  This may cause the swelling you have to bunch up.  However, there are other issues that can cause fullness after surgery including hematoma (bruise) and seroma... more
+1

Looking Fatter After Liposuction?

It could be swelling or fluid retention, but after 9 days you should see some result! Very unusual not to have any improvement if 1300 cc's was TRULY removed. Was you surgeon a boarded plastic surgeon? I wonder. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl j. Blinski
+1

Swelling after Liposuction

Your concerns are very common for all liposuction patients.  We always inform our patients that if they look at themselves in the early post operative period that they will often appear more swollen and often become discouraged.  You have to trust your PS and continue to wear the compression dressing and allow all of the swelling to subside.  As the swelling starts to go away the "lumps" will start to get softer and you will likely be instructed to message those... more
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