Liposuction: Q&A

Ask a Question

How Long After Lipo Until I Can Weight Lift?

I had my first lipo done in june of 2010. January of this year I had a second lipo. I noticed that I have more swelling than the first one. It's been six weeks now and I hardly see the difference. I know it's going to take a while. I want to start lifting weights but I'm concern that it will cause more swelling. is it ok to start a vigorous exercise program after a second lipo? and If not how long should I wait? Thank you.

Tags:

swelling exercise timing weight lifting

Comment on this

7 Doctor Answers | Asked by alice in wonderland in new york

Doctor Answers (7)
Community Comments (0)

Exercise following Liposuction

It is not unusual to have more swelling following a secondary liposuction procedure. Nevertheless, it would still be possible to engage in at least some form of moderate exercise six weeks following surgery. You may want to continue to wear your garment until the swelling resolves.

Exercise after liposuction

Depending on the amount of surgery, type of liposuction, the body site involed and the exercise planned, the restrictions might be from two to four or more weeks. Some physicians recommend their patients to wear their compression garment during exericse for the first several weeks. Ask your surgeon what he or she recommends for you and your specific surgery.

When to start vigorous exercise regimen following 2nd liposuction procedure

Before you start a vigorous exercise regimen after your second liposuction, you should inquire of your plastic surgone to obtain his/her recommendations as he/she was the one who performed your surgery. For my patients, I usually recommend 2.5 to 3 weeks for unlimited activities. Swelling after the second procedure usually lasts longer with maximal resolution at around 1 year.

You might also like...

Real Stories

Abdomen and Flanks Lipo - Sao Paulo, BR

Hi girls! I will be posting about my liposuction experience. Surgery is set up for june 20,...

Before + After Photos

View 2517 Liposuction photos

Exercising after liposuction.

I tell my patients to wait at least 4 weeks before beginning strenuous exercises after liposuction. This allows the tissues to heal and gain strength before stessing them and decreases the possibility of complications. Your swelling is tissue edema from the surgery and it is greater after the 2nd surgery due to reinjury of the lymphatics in the tissue. This will resolve over time, so be patient.

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD

19 reviews

Boston Plastic Surgeon

Weight Lifting After Liposuction

A lot of this depends on how much liposuction you had and what the sites were. Swelling in the extremities is very common after a liposuction procedure. It is recommended that you wear your garments for AT LEAST 6 weeks post operatively. This is also a good guideline to follow as far as strenuous activity.

Liposuction, Exercise and Weight Lifting

Hi Alice in Wonderland (I feel I've heard your name before...), I tell my patients that there is no exercise for three weeks after surgery (we're talking about liposuction only; other procedures are different). At that point, they can start slowly and advance as tolerated. That means stretching, aerobic exercise, walking, etc., before moving on to more vigorous exercise. And if you hurt yourself or something is uncomfortable, back off and wait a few days, then... more

Liposuction Causes Temporary Lymphedema And Swelling

What you are experiencing is the typical temporary lymphedema caused by liposuction. It will often be more prominent the second time around as the fat reduction result is less and the lymphatics are disrupted once again. Even though exercise may cause some increased swelling afterward, I would go ahead and exercise. The lymphatic push caused by exercise may actually help the overall postoperative swelling to resolve sooner, even if it causes some immediate increase in the swelling.... more

Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

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.