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

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.

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

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.

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.