Liposuction: Q&A
Ask a QuestionLiposuction Downtime - when is Recovery is Over?
I've had my abdomen, hips, and flanks liposuctioned close to 4 months ago. My abdomen has bulging lumps (mainly below belly button) and hardness. How long will it take for my body to return to normal and the lumps and hardness to diminish? Basically when is my liposuction recovery officially over?
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26 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Gianna
in Lombard, IL USA
+4
Recovery after liposuction.
Recovery after liposuction can very from patient to patient, but as a general rule most of the swelling is gone after 3-4 months. In lower extremities, especially below the knees, it can take even longer. Proper technique during surgery and proper post-operative care can reduce the healing time somewhat. Most of our patients can wear a bathing suit after about a month, although the final result might not be apparent for 3-4 months.
+4
Recovery from liposuction takes months
Recovery from any surgery is different from patient to patient, there are many factors that go into play technique, number of treated areas, your health, your age etc… however for the most part an average patient with average areas treated can expect to feel well enough to return to guarded work activities five to seven days after surgery. At four to six week you should be able to return to all activities with no restrictions. Full recovery can take up to a year where you will not feel...
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+4
The normal final result is expected about 4-5 months after surgery
It normally takes 4-6 months for the final results of surgery, especially liposuction, to be seen. Lumpiness or bumps are not unusual within the first 2-3 months. When you break up the fat with liposuction, not all of it is removed with the canula. A significant amount of fat has to be absorbed and destroyed by the body. This creates inflammation and firmness. That is what causes the lumps. By 4 months the lumps should be resolving. If the lumps are soft, you may need some touch up...
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+3
Six months for liposuction recovery
We usually tell patients to wait at least six months to see their final results, although it might be longer in ceratin patients. If the swelling still seems variable from day to day, you have likely not reached a stable endpoint.
+3
Liposuction recovery happens in phases
Recovery from Liposuction happens in phases.
The first phase is the immediate post-surgery where you need pain control and are limited in activity. With liposuction that is generally about 1-2days. After that, you can typically drive and do your daily activities.
Next step is for the majority of your swelling and bruising to resolve. For liposuction, that is about 2-3 weeks. That is when you can start light exercise as approved by your surgeon. At 6 weeks, you can return to all...
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+3
At 4 months things should be pretty settled after liposuction
Hello,
At 4 months out, most liposuction patients have had their swelling subside. Areas of hardness can take longer to soften, but only rarely do we see these with lipo alone.
I would return to your surgeon and maybe look into doing something else to change things. Did you discuss other procedures as alternatives when you saw him or her before your surgery?
Best Regards.
+3
Massage during liposuction recovery
There are a variety of explanations for what you are observing and I will discuss some of these options.
I have seen patients who were better candidates for tummy tucks but underwent liposuction instead leaving them with loose skin that appears to be lumpy. If this is the case you may be better treated with a tummy tuck.
Alternatively, any injury can result in healing which produces scar tissue for 6 weeks (proliferative phase) followed by resolution of the scar tissue (maturation...
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+3
Probably by 6-8 months
It sort of depends on how much fat was removed since patients with a big tummy often have more fluid accumulation in the tissue and it takes longer for the lymphatic system to remove it. Also if you haven't been massaging the area, I would recommend more aggressive massaging or endermologie to help the areas shrink faster.
The excess skin from a large tummy takes 6-8 months to shrink. Skin is elastic and shrinks a fair amount after lipo. The younger you are or the less stretch marks you...
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+2
It usually take a full year for the body to remodel any surgical scar but the initial down time is only one week.
It is not uncommon to feel some underlying areas of hardness once the initial swelling is resolved. The most important treatment for this is massage. Usually these areas are slightly tender but this is sign that the body still has heal. There is also some numbness of the skin following liposuction which will eventually resolve by one year.
+2
Surgical and non surgical options to improve liposuction results
The swelling and bruising resulting from liposuction usually take 8-12 weeks. Residual bumps following Liposuction are residual fat pockets, fat necrosis or uneven Liposuction.
A revision might be required. In many cases it could be a small revision under local anesthesia. It is hard, however, to determine this without examining you. Some non-surgical options like Velashape could be helpful in some cases as well.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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