How Long Before Liposuction Results Can Be Corrected?

asked 3 years ago by mcagle in michigan
Latest answer by John P. Di Saia, MD
Question viewed 2,770 times
Tags: asymmetry, fat reduction, swelling

I had a full Tummy tuck, Breast augmentation, and Liposuction of the hips and outer thighs 4 weeks ago. I immediately noticed the results of the outer thigh Liposuction and of my left hip; however, my right hip is way bigger and it does not seem to be swelling.

How long do I need to wait in your opinion to have the lipo corrected? I am a nurse so I know it is fat and not swelling. I am very pleased with my other procedures.

Read my review "Tummy Tuck, Breast Augmentation and Uneven Liposuction"

11 answers to How Long Before Liposuction Results Can Be Corrected?

You are early after Liposuction

Hello, You are early and if this area is adjacent to your tummy tuck incision I would suggest to you that it may represent skin as well as fat and therefore removing more than just fat may eventually be the best idea. Let things settle for 6 months to a year and then re-assess. Surely let your plastic surgeon know your concerns and even review before and after images with him or her as this this might be helpful.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

6-12 months before considering major revision

McCacgle, I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon but you need to give at least 6-12 months of healing time before any attempt is made to re-treat an area of liposuction asymmetry. Dr Edwards

Michael C. Edwards, MD
Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon

Swelling after liposuction

Remember that some asymmetry is normal. But, at 4 weeks there is probably still swelling that will need to subside before you see the final results.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Important to wait after Lipo

Even though you may not perceive much swelling, it is definitely there. I perform tumescent liposuction, liposuction using local anesthesia, and routinely tell my patients that they will see significant improvement after 6 - 8 weeks, but that it can take up to 6 months to see their final result. That last bit of swelling can take a long time to resolve. To be fair to yourself, I would wait at least 4 months before evaluating your hips for symmetry.

Lawrence A. Osman, MD
Woodland Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

Way too early to make this judgement.

Dear Mcagle Your impression may or may not prove to be correct. However, liposuction takes time to heal. Four weeks after a liposuction means that there is still plenty of swelling. Routinely, I do not take post-liposuction photographs until 2 months after liposuction because this is about earliest time frame that one can reliably see the difference created by liposuction. However, the swelling continues to improve over another four to six months beyond this period. One... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

How long should you wait before revision for liposuction

Even though you have a medical background, it is important to understand that liposuction causes swelling and that swelling can take several months to diminish. It may even feel like fat but is actually a little thicker due to the fluid between the fat cells. In my practice, we always counsel our patients that liposuction will cause swelling and it will be very difficult to evaluate your final result until 4-6 months have passed. It is really a long waiting period. Many patients are unhappy... more

Sirish Maddali, MD
Portland Plastic Surgeon

You will see the final result in 4 months.

Hi! For most cosmetic surgery (breat augmentation, for example), it certainly does not take 4 months to see the final result. You see it in one month.But for liposuction, it does take at least 4 months to see the result, because it isn't just the swelling that goes away. In addition to the fat cells removed with liposuction, millions of fat cells are traumatized and left behind. These injured fat cells slowly atrophy over 4 months, and cause continued shrinking and improvement of the... more

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Wait at least 6 months or more for Liposuction correction

Following surgery, especially multiple procedures you will have swelling and it will be at least three months before it starts to shrink. The skin Will take up to a year to shrink. It is too early to look at your results. Be patient, let all the areas shrink. Re-evaluate with your plastic surgeon at 6 weeks to three months. It is a lot easier to take more than put some back! Best wishes.

Charles Perry, MD
Sacramento Plastic Surgeon

Waiting is hard, but worth it

Tissue that has been traumatized by liposuction has a certain amount of stiffness or fibrosis for several months. In fact it will always be a little harder to do repeat liposuction in the same area. In order to allow the tissue to return to a more normal state I ask at least three months before doing any revision liposuction and maybe more if the tissue still feels stiff or firm. In order to see the final result as to how much difference there is between the right and left side you will... more

Marcus L. Peterson, MD
Saint George Plastic Surgeon

Waiting period

I tell my patients to wait at least 6 months before any intervention. There may be a need for some touch up liposuction, however, a small amount of swelling is still present in those first 6 months.

Rodger Wade Pielet, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nurse or not...

you need to wait it out. At 4 weeks out from the liposuction I GUARANTEE that you still have swelling in the area. Skin and scar tissue contraction will also take place over the next five months. ALL of my liposuction patients are counseled that their full final result will not be apparent until six months after the surgery. Good luck!