No Difference After Liposculpture

It has been my experience that swelling gets worse someplace between the 5th and 7th day after liposuction.  There also is a natural depression that occurs after any surgery, but certainly after cosmetic surgery since one's expectations and fears are usually high.  Normally, after one or two weeks, patients think that liposculpture didn't work and that is was possibly the worse thing they ever did to themselves.  By 3 weeks, most patients feel that perhaps it worked.  At around 4-6 weeks, many patients think their plastic surgeon was a genius.

 

Swelling, bruising, itching, and discomfort all add to one's concern over whether the surgery actually worked or not.  In my practice, I take standardized measurements at weekly visits after liposuction which gives the patient hard evidence as to whether any improvement occurred and the degree of improvement.  Liposuction or liposculpture is a technique of bulge reduction and inch reduction, and surprisingly, has very little to do with weight reduction. 

 

Unfortunately and as frustrating as it may be, time is the answer and with time, I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised.

At two weeks after surgery, it is not possible to see a difference.  Between surgery and the first month, expect to see no improvements.  It takes 6 months to see the final outcomes.  At this point you should not be weighing yourself.

Almost any intervention in the body causes swelling. Although often following liposuction great results are noted right off the bat, there is a degree of swelling and also bruising. If one only has a very small amount of fat under their skin, the amount of temporary swelling could equal the preoperative state. It is wise to discuss this with your surgeon. Placement of incisions vary significantly from surgeon to surgeon and the placement of the scars alone would not let you know exactly how much or where was liposuction performed.

Usually after liposuction there is swelling on the treated areas, it may take several weeks to start seen results.  It is not uncommon not to note immediate difference in the first 2 weeks.

Please be patient. Two weeks is too soon to seen any results from your liposculpture; it takes at least four weeks before the swelling subsides. You should begin to see a difference after a month. However, please note that it usually takes at least three to four months before you can appreciate your optimal results. Liposculpture is an invasive procedure and the body must recover from it. Also, remember that it is a fat removal process, not a weight-loss process. You should look significantly better and more sculpted, but the difference will not necessarily show up on the scale. Please consult with your board-certified dermatologist if your swelling persists past the one-month mark.

You are probably swollen and that's why you don't see much of an improvement. Wait a couple of months for the majority of the swelling to subside before you judge your results. 

Liposculpture results can take up to 6 months to show, but generally the average patient will see results as soon as 6-8 weeks after the procedure. Two weeks is usually not enough time to see full results.

I would say give it some time for swelling to subside. Swelling can last up to 3 months. I have noticed that the second week post liposuction is roughest. Patients expect to see results after a week and that isn't the case 99% of the time. Be patient and continue to wear your compression garments for best results. Good luck.

Surprisingly, you may weigh more after liposculpture ( liposuction) than before the surgery. This is typically due to accumulation of fluid in the treatment areas. This swelling can persist for some time taking nearly 3 months to eliminate the vast majority. Two weeks is far to early to predict the post-op result. Ask your surgeon for a breakdown of the volume of fat removed from eash area. .

Like any surgery, one can expect swelling and fluid retention.  We tell our patients not to get on a scale for a couple of weeks as they will usually be "up" a few pounds.  This is usually just water weight.  You may see some results at two weeks, but it is early in the course.  It is important to do what your doctor tells you, (i.e.; compression garments, activity, etc), so as to gt the best result.  The body has to heal under the skin, (where the operation took place).  It will take a few months to see the final result.