Are swelling, bruises and cold thighs normal after Vaser liposuction? (Photos)

Question

had vaser lipo in turkey 10 days ago to my abdomen, flanks thighs and knees. My face is swlllen my ankles swollen, my thighs look 50% bigger none of my clothes fit me. And my thighs feel very very cold all day. I have to use a hot water bottle and blankets to keep my lower half warm. Did I even have Vaser lipo ? Or did he do traditional lipo. holes stitched up so no open drainage and I had general anesthesia.. Please tell me if these results are typical of 10 days post op Vaser lipo or not ?

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

hello RANA444  Recovery is mostly base on the level of soreness or bruising that you may experience, however, most activity is unlikely to delay healing or create problems with recovery.  Many studies indicate that there is also less injury than the traditional liposuction method resulting in less pain, swelling and bruising.  Final results can be seen 2-4 months later as the swelling continues to diminish and contours become more defined. #bruises #swelling

Jeffrey LaGrasso, MD · Answer

Medical experts stress that it’s essential that every liposuction candidate understand that post-operative side-effects and the amount of time needed for recovery can vary greatly person to person. I would be concerned with the drainage,  your incisions should not be closed when having any lipo. Felling a cold sensation can mean Blood clots I recommend you see your surgeon.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Bruising and/or swelling can last 3-6 months after your procedure. However, with this degree of bruising, I recommend following up with your Doctor. For liposuction after care, I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding vanquish for further fat removal, exilis/venus legacy for skin tightening, cellutone/z wave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Luis M. Rios Jr., MD · Answer

Bruising can occur after any type of liposuction. It can be caused by many factors, including the technique used or supplements patients take before surgery . Some patients also seem to bruise easier than other patients. Having said that, this is probably more bruising than we usually see with vaser liposuction. From your photos, it is difficult to tell whether you had vaser liposuction or traditional liposuction.
Swelling after liposuction is normal. Liposuction is surgery, which is traumatic and causes inflammation and swelling. The usual course of events is that swelling lasts for at least 6 weeks. In the first two weeks after surgery, patients usually retain fluid. The retention of fluid is a normal response to surgery. Patients will notice that they gain weight and clothes are tight. After two weeks, the body starts getting rid of the excess fluid and swelling starts to subside. Wearing a compression garment during the first few weeks after liposuction helps keep the swelling in check. It also helps compress the tissues so that the skin will shrink back.
Now, regarding the swelling and cold feeling in your legs coupled with your travel to Turkey, I would consider getting evaluated by a medical doctor to rule out a blood clot in your legs. Traveling long distances, before and after surgery, increases your risks for these blood clots. If you have symptoms of shortness of breath and painful swelling to your legs, you need to be evaluated for a blood clot. If your evaluating physician is suspicious of a blood clot, he may order an ultrasound of the veins in your legs.
My advice is to be evaluated by a physician close to you. Part of the surgical process is to be followed and guided after surgery. Hopefully, you can find a physician to help you. You might consider staying close to home for your next procedure.

Onelio Garcia Jr, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Edema and bruising can be present after any type of liposuction.  Compression garments help, low salt diet, ambulation and if you are seating, elevate your legs.  If you have pain beyond what your consider normal, always check back with your doctor.

Reza Tirgari, MD · Answer

Bruising isn't uncommon after liposuction, even with the advanced methods we use to greatly reduce this.  Some swelling is also common.  However, there are much more concerning issues.
The first one is that the holes were stitched up.  This typically will increase complications since you will not drain as much as you should.  The second issue is that  general anesthesia was used, especially when the procedure can be done safely and effectively with local anesthesia now.
However the biggest concern is the cold sensation in your extremities, which suggests that blood flow is reduced.  This can have consequences and I would suggest you seek medical attention very soon.

Grady B. Core, MD · Answer

While I cannot assure you that you had vaser lipo I can say that this degree of bruising is not typical of vaser lipo. While you are more bruised than usual that does not mean you did not have vaser either as it is possible to bruise from vaser, especially if tumescent solution infiltration is not very extensive. Plastic surgery in Turkey is quite good for the most part and it appears your result is going to be just fine based on your pictures, although it is too early to be sure. Nonetheless , even with excellent surgery being performed overseas, your case demonstrates why surgical tourism is not a good idea. Real Self is full of testimonies from patients who have had cheaper surgery in other countries and done well. However, it is not replete with the stories of the many patients we see who have not done well and wind up remote from their surgeon with serious complications. Even without complications simple followup and questions such as yours cannot be evaluated in person by the original surgeon which is critical. I am also not in favor of even transcontinental itinerant surgery for the same reasons. It simply is not necessary to get a good result. Many surgeons will not see patients for simple follow up issues like yours if done overseas although I happen to make exceptions myself. In the end the cost savings is just not worth the risk, even when the surgeon is good and the actual surgical risk low due to the extreme distance, since every surgeon from time to time has complications such as infections and what have you. In addition the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) is the most prestigious aesthetic society in the world and whatever it is you seek, there is most likely an expert in that procedure within reasonable proximity to every US based patient. For example, vaser lipo was discovered by Michele Zocchi  in Turino Italy in the late 90's and brought to the US and introduced initially in Nashville and Birmingham. Our clinic was the second clinic to begin using the technolgy in 1998 as part of an FDA trial and I have used it ever since. There is no one in Turkey who has used the technique as long since there are only a handful of surgeons in the world who have used it longer and they are all in the US or Zocchi himself who personally taught his technique to us in our operating rooms while visiting in our clinic in Birmingham. My point is that surgical tourism is risky and unecessary and in the end the cost savings not worth the risks. If you wind up needing further surgery I would recommend you seek a board certified plastic surgeon right here at home.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The bruising and swelling is completely normal after vaser lipo. The swelling may take up to 6 months to resolve. As far as your extremities being cold, you need to make sure you do not have a blood clot/ DVT. Consult with your doctor if you are worried, as this is very important.

Are swelling, bruises and cold thighs normal after Vaser liposuction? (Photos)

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