How long does swelling really last after lipo?

The initial swelling is from 3-4 weeks, then residual swelling can last a few months. You should wait for a few weeks for the swelling to subside, then you'll be able to see your improvement. 

Thanks for the question. It’s too early to comment over the result. First couple of weeks after the surgery you can back to work and couple of weeks later your permanent recovery will start. 3-6 months after to the surgery swelling will be gone. It’s possible to see some major changes in Liposuction results till the end of 12 months recovery. I wish you all the best

How long does Swelling Really Last after Liposuction?Bruising and swelling are normal in the suctioned areas and usually increase slightly after the removal of any tape or foam. The bruising will decrease over 3-4 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks. The majority of the swelling will be gone within the first 3-4 weeks. However it may take 6-9 months to disappear completely. The compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly the process will proceed.

Generally I recommend patients wait for at least three to four months to assess their results. Swelling gradually subsides during this time. However this may take longer depending on your rate of recovery. 

For most of my patients, 80% of their swelling is gone by six weeks, and 100% is resolved at six months.  Patients see substantial improvements immediately, and their results continue to get better for several months.

Swelling is normal after liposuction and can last 6 weeks to three months. This is why compression devices are advised. Bruising can last for up to 3 weeks. Make sure that you do not have a fluid collection or seroma from the liposuction as this may need treatment with aspiration in the office.

Leo Lapuerta JR. MD

Complete resolution of swelling after liposuction can take up to 6 months. However, the majority of the swelling is gone by 6-8 weeks for most patients. Closely following your surgeon's instructions and wearing your compression garment as instructed is helpful in controlling swelling.

It takes approximately 3 months from liposuction to see a consistent improvement.  In some patients, the swelling may last up to 6 months.

Swelling after liposuction is variable and dependent on several factors. Expect a majority of it to dissipate by around 3 -6 months though it can take up to a year for it to maximally resolve. If there is some bruising, it may take 2 - 3 weeks to resolve.

The recovery from liposuction certainly varies widely from patient to patient, like all surgical procedures.  The average patient can expect bruising and noticeable swelling for the first few weeks followed by a gradual decline in swelling along with retraction of the skin of treated areas over several months.  Remember, do not weigh yourself the day after surgery and expect to have lost weight as you will generally weight significantly more than before the surgery and will be distressed.  Don't worry, as the swelling goes down, your weight will too!

 

Dr. Sean Simon