Is pain after liposuction normal?

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?

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6 answers to “Is pain after liposuction normal?”

A: Listen to your doctor please

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By Vishal Kapoor, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By David Hansen, MD - Beverly Hills Dermatologic surgeon

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... more

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

By Evan Sorokin, MD - Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

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%... more

A: Be patient

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

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... more