Fast facts

Liposuction


What it is: Liposuction or lipoplasty is a surgical procedure to address excess fat deposits in specific areas of the body.  Liposuction is not intended to be a weight loss solution.


What it addresses:  Fat deposits in body areas including:

- Stomach
- Buttocks, Hips & Thighs
- Love Handles
- Saddle Bags
- Calves & Ankles
- Breasts
- Back


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Question

Liposuction - how long does it take for the swelling to go down?

I had my saddlebags removed six weeks ago and one of them looks lumpy and looks like if I have something in there that moves. I also had lipo above my butt, I'm still numb and I now I have a lump. Will this go away?

How long does it take for swelling to go away?


Asked by: Melsaez
NY

Answers (5)

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1
October 4, 2008

It takes at least 6 months to see the final result after liposuction

Richard P. Rand, MD
Richard P. Rand, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

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.

2
July 14, 2008

Liposuction swelling

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,
Scott Sattler MD FACS

3
July 12, 2008

Swelling after liposuction

Manish H. Shah, MD
Manish H. Shah, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

After liposuction it can take several weeks to months for the swelling to go down, depending on how far away from the center of the trunk it is performed. Long term use of compression garments can be helpful in this regard.

If you feel that something is moving, you may have what is known as a seroma - a post-operative fluid collection that often needs to be drained. Most lumpy, bumpy or hard areas will soften with time as the inflammation associated with surgical injury goes away. In general, time heals all things.

In my practice, we routinely use post-operative massage techniques to "iron" out irregularities. A rolling pin can be used very effectively to perform this massage.

4
July 11, 2008

Lumpiness after liposuction

Steven Wallach, MD
Steven Wallach, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Lumpiness after liposuction is not uncommon. Sometimes this is due to differential swelling. If that is the case, massage can help to improve the area.

On the other hand, if there is some asymmetry from the procedure, then the lumpiness may be from some areas not being treated adequately. Sometimes revisions are necessary.

In terms of the numbness, again, this is very common after liposuction. This is usually from the swelling and usually improves over time. The majority of swelling will go done by about 6-8 weeks with some residual swelling lasting several months.

5
July 11, 2008

Liposuction swelling

Wilfred Brown, MD
Wilfred Brown, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

Areas that undergo liposuction often take up to 6 months for the edema (swelling) to dissipate. The rate of dissipation of the swelling is often dependent on many factors such as technique used.

The use of ultrasonic liposuction is thought by some to have a more rapid resolution of swelling. The use of tumescent techniques may affect the amount of swelling in the tissues. These techniques involve injecting large amounts of dilute lidocaine into the fat prior to suction. In addition, hormonal status, age, salt intake, genetics play a part in rate of resolution of the edema. I generally give the patients 6 months for the swelling to go down.

The numbness is absolutely normal, and usually resolves as the swelling goes down. If you have a lump that you can feel, I would suggest initiating a massage program to the area. This often helps with the swelling and may improve the contour. If the lump is still present after 6 months, re-operation may be necessary.

Comments (1)
lou haines
lou haines
11/5/08

I am not overweight but I have a bulge in the middle area of my stomach. Also, I have been working out and my stomach is still there. I want to do this but I am scared I will have deformaties. HELP! Lou haines

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