Is Pain After Liposuction Normal?

asked 3 years ago by ksusanb in San Francisco, CA
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 7,473 times
Tags: normal, pain

I had liposuction 6 days ago on my tummy and hips. Just aout two inches above the right and left incisions at my bikini line for the tummy lipo, I have a sharp pain when I move, like a knife going into the exact place on each side (it is especially bad on the right). I would say it is severe pain, and I have a high tolerance. I am afraid that it is serious, and the doctor won´t diagnose it properly when I go to have the stiches out on the 7th day since surgery (perhaps because I won´t be able to explain well what is the pain). Is this sharp pain indicative or something serious?

Also, My right hip is higher and fatter than my left. I am clearly lopsidded. If my doctor tells me not to worry, that it will be symetrical in time, is that true? Will my hips even out in time?

My legs are very big, swollen (I understand this happens), but they wabble like jello. They are so ugly. I am so afraid that I will not look good without clothes on (and even with, since the hip lopsiddedness is so obvious). I was in such good shape, having been running for 20 years, until 2 years ago when a move and new job kept me from being able to run and exercise more than light walking. I am so afraid that I have made a mistake.

I am afraid I will look much worse than I did. And I am afraid that the knife pain is serious. Do I believe what my doctor will tell me? Any idea of what this sharp pain is? Normal or severe pain?

10 answers to Is Pain After Liposuction Normal?

Pain is normal after liposuction-especially the tummy. Believe in your Doc's advise!

Pain is normal after liposuction. you definitely need pain pills so you are not in severe pain. it sounds like you are not taking prescription pain pills. typically the more fat removed then the more pain associated with it. Some physicians only take alittle amount of fat out and send you home on tylenol which is sufficient for the minimal amount of pain but if you have a truely thorough liposuction, then you will need prescription pain pills and especially the abdomen hurts the most. ... more

David Hansen, MD
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon

www.DrDavidHansen.com

Listen to your doctor please

Hopefully, you chose a good doctor. If you trusted them to operate on you, and they know you best, you should also trust their answers to your questions. You have been given many good answers here but really nobody can better help you than the doctor who operated on you. It is normal in the first 2 weeks after surgery to have questions about your results and these should be answered directly and completely by your doctor. Be calm and patient and realize that it takes 4-6 months for... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

You just had surgery, so you will have to be patient to see the final results

First of all, you state that you just had liposuction 6 days ago and you are concerned about several issues. You also have another question just submitted stating that you had blepharoplasty 5 weeks ago and you are concerned about the incisions not healing properly. (Please see my response to the blepharoplasty question). It is good that you are seeking answers to your questions, but many of these issues you need to discuss with your doctor, especially if you are going in for multiple... more

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

Be patient

Pain is expected after liposuction especially in the abdomen where the abdominal muscles can get quite irritated from the mechanical trauma of the act of suctioning. There are a few superficial sensory nerves that can be injured or at least irritated depending on where exactly the incisions are. Usually the pain is electrical or burning in quality. As far as asymmetry, it depends on what exactly was done. In general, if you did the liposuction after gaining weight, (you said you were in... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Severe pain is very unusual after liposuction.

Severe pain is very unusual after liposuction and might be a sign that something is wrong (like an infection). I would visit you surgeon and have him take a look. Early asymmetry is common so I wouldn't worry about that.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Recovery after liposuction

Liposuction is a safe, popular, and effective way to contour the body. Patients should be aware of the recovery process after liposuction. Immediately after the surgery, they will experience a moderate amount of pain, swelling, and bruising. In our practice, we provide every patient with a special compression garment that helps decrease the swelling and provide support for the patient to increase their comfort. Most patients statement that the first two days after liposuction are the... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Liposuction post-op pain

The pain at the incision may be nothing more than usual post-op pain or it could be "sopmething" like a localized infection. The best thing to do is call yoru doctor and see him for an evaluation. As to the other thoughts, you have to give it some time for things to settle down. Remember no one is completely symmetric. I'll bet if you look at your pre-op photos, one hip was higher than the other.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

You see most liposuction results in 2 months.

Hi. Nothing that you are describing sounds serious, but of course let your surgeon examine you. In a few weeks after liposuction, pain should be gone and you start to look good.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Yes and it's way too early to judge your liposuction results

While pain is very subjective and everyone has a different threshold, pain is very normal after liposuction. As far as it being sharp, the abdominal and waist/hip area is particularly sensitive for a lot of patients. In general pain should continue to get better day by day, but if it seems to be getting worse or not improving, definitely let your surgeon know. Although it's rare, you just want to make sure there is no infection - things you want to look for are persistent redness or any... more

Vishal Kapoor, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Why would you have surgery from someone you do not trust?

Your question says things like : "I am afraid that it is serious, and the doctor won´t diagnose it properly" and " If my doctor tells me not to worry, that it will be symetrical in time, is that true?" and "Do I believe what my doctor will tell me?" Why would you have surgery from anyone you do not 100% trust? Did you check references beforehand? Is the doctor certified? There is no way for other doctors on a website to tell you how your results will be when you are nervous six days... more