Had lipo 7 days ago, first day after my waist was nice. Now it’s swelled up and hard. When will the swelling go away? (photos)

Question

I just had liposuction 7 days ago and the first day after the procedure my waist was curved and now it’s swelled up. I want to know when my swelling will go away. Here is a before picture of the first day I had the procedure and the second picture is 7 days post op. My Doctor recommended lymoathic massages

Kyle Coleman, MD · Answer

Swelling after liposuction generally rebounds starting at day 4 and can be quite dramatic depending on the amount of fat removed, the location, and the person.   It is important to wear the compression device as instructed, drink lots of water, and stay active (as permitted).   If swelling is uncomfortable, lymphatic massage can be a great way to reduce this swelling temporarily.  Often patients, will do lymphatic massage starting around day 5 or 6 and do them weekly for the first month.  Best of luck.

Sam Jejurikar, MD · Answer

It's very reassuring that your waist looked good the first day after the procedure. That indicates that, once the postoperative swelling goes away, you should have results that you like. It generally takes 6-12 months for all of the swelling to go away. Lymphatic massage is helpful, as is faithful usage of your compression garment.Hope this helps - Sam Jejurikar, MD

Kamran Azad, MD · Answer

Every patient recovers differently and it depends on the extent of the surgery, but you are still very early in the recovery process. On average, most patients will see 90% of the ultimate results three to six months after the procedure. It can take several months for the swelling to completely go away, but wearing a garment can help reduce the initial swelling. If you have any concerns, I would consult with your plastic surgeon so they can monitor your recovery.Kamran Azad MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is common to develop swelling at this stage and will take several weeks to suside. It can take up to 4-6 months to see the final results. Please continue to follow with your physician

Erika Sato, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling is what makes liposuction uncomfortable in healing process. It is completely normal to weigh  10+ lbs more than you did before surgery due to water weight. It takes a good 6-8 weeks for the swelling to go down enough for you to really appreciate your results. You will swell intermittently after that depending on lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol, eating salty food, strenuous workouts etc. At 3 months you get a nice idea of your results but your final result isn't there until you are one year out. Lipo recovery wouldn't be bad at all if you didn't swell.

Karthik Ram, MRCS, DNB · Answer

Hello, Thanks for sharing your pick. It is common for swelling and induration to develop after liposuction. It usually takes 2-3 months for the results to show. Pressure garment and massage can help in quicker resolution of swelling. Follow up with your operating surgeon regarding post operative protocol.

Steve Byrd, MD (retired) · Answer

The best answer to this question relates to is this
"swelling" or is it the beginning of the longer term healing process,
or some of both.
Immediately following surgery the new shape is easily
seen.  Then "post op" swelling settles in and builds for 2-3
days and then begins a resolution phase out to approximately 3 weeks for most
people.  Beginning on post op day 7-10, the body begins a longer term
healing process as it knits the tissues back together where the cannulas have
dissected and passed through the fatty layers (leaving the internal spaces sort
of like a "swiss cheese" appearance.  These spaces collect fluid
early (first few days post op) and then this fluid combines with the knitting
process--collagen/scar formation-- making the surgical areas feel "swollen
and hard".  The firmness/hardness will build, usually, for 4-6 weeks
and then the body shuts off the building up and begins to resorb this
scar...the process is slow and 50% of the build up is gone by the third month,
then there is a 1/2 life of scar resorption that continues out to 9-12 months
post surgery.  So the "swelling" is two fold--surgical swelling
and scar build up--50% of which will be gone by the third month. Shape improves
all along the way of this process
 Dr. Steve Byrd

Had lipo 7 days ago, first day after my waist was nice. Now it’s swelled up and hard. When will the swelling go away? (photos)

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