Looking Fatter After Liposuction?

It is normal in most cases to have quite a bit of swelling and even some numbness 9 days after abdominal and flank liposuction.  This takes time!  I tell my patients you will see some results at 3-4 weeks, 80% of the result at 4 months, and final results at 6 months.  There are several things you can do in the postoperative period such as limiting your dietary salt intake which helps.  Most surgeons "close" or suture the incisions after liposuction; howver, one thing that I do with my patients is to leave the liposuction incisions "open" at surgery.   They will leak some fluid into absorbant pads for the first 2 days after surgery but I've found that the swelling goes down much faster and these patients can start to see their results even faster.  Finally post-lymphatic massaging is also a very important aspect of recovery and getting swelling to resolve.  I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

James F. Boynton, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Thank you for your question. 9 days after Liposuction is not enough time to express a valid opinion. To reduce abdominal and belly button swelling, I recommend daily lymphatic drainage massage therapy 5 times at week for the next two months, and wear a postoperative girdle for two months at least.Kind Regards,Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

Thanks for the question. After Liposuction surgery, 3-9 months you still see progress in the performance of the surgery. After 1 month you will still have swellings and it is still early to say something about the final result. You should follow up the progress with your surgeon. I wish you all the best.

Thank you for your question. It is very important to remember that for the next few months (usually 3-6 months) you will be swelling. You really won't see the result until 6-12 months. You also have to keep in mind that you are collecting fluid in the areas where liposuction was performed. With that being said, It is difficult to tell you after only 9 days because you are not really going to see that full result yet. Hope this helped, best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeon Hoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

Patients undergoing tumescent
liposuction of the abdomen will often develop swelling, firmness, numbness,
hardness and pain following this procedure.During the procedure, the liposuction cannula is passed through the
subcutaneous tissue.This causes
disruption of the lymphatic channels and cellular injury, which results in
these characteristic physical findings.These
findings can persist for several months following surgery.In most cases, improvement is seen within
three to four weeks following surgery.In other cases, improvement may continue for up to three to four months
following the procedure.Small amounts
of firmness may persist up to a year following surgery. We
generally recommend the use of compression garments for three to four weeks
following surgery.We also recommend
low-salt diets before and after surgery.Exercise is started early, and we want patients to ambulate as soon as
possible following surgery.Massage
is also helpful.It decreases firmness,
hardness and swelling by mobilizing retained fluid following liposuction.All of these steps minimize firmness and
swelling and improve the patient’s aesthetic result.

It is normal to continue to swell (edema) for 2-3 days after surgery, plus most patients are also constipated from the surgery and pain medications causing your stomach to look bigger. Bruising and swelling are normal in the suctioned areas and usually increase slightly after the removal of any tape or foam. The bruising will decrease over 3-4 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks. The majority of the swelling will be gone within the first 3-4 weeks. However it may take 6-9 months to disappear completely. The compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly the process will proceed.Scattered numbness in the suctioned areas occurs occasionally and will disappear within a few weeks.As you heal, the suctioned area may feel “lumpy” and irregular. This, too, decreases with time, and massaging those areas will hasten their softening.

Swelling is significant in the first month to two after liposuction is normal. Compression garments and a "tincture of time" is what's needed for the vast majority of patients to realize the good end result. Be patient and continue to see your surgeon in follow up.

This is absolutely normal. 9 days is VERY EARLY. Swelling may easily last for 2 months before you notice any significant change. Discuss your concerns with your surgeon. It is early in the post operative period and I am sure you will be in for multiple visits.

Thank you for the photos. I'm a little confused about them .The one on the left is standing and the one on the right is sitting. You look "fatter" in the sitting one. Which is the postop? You can get some swelling after liposuction, but you should not look larger than prior to surgery. What you are pinching could be swollen tissue or fluid in the tissues and not fat. The lumpiness will go away with time. Lymphatic massage therapy would be very helpful in your case to speed up healing. You need to be patient and see how you look in 6 months. Good luck.

Swelling is indeed common after liposuction.  This swelling comes from both the areas that had surgery, as well as from the body as a whole.  This comes from inflammatory mediators that cause swelling in the entire body, including hands, toes, etc.  It is a normal consqeuence of healing from surgery.  Seroma formation nowadays is very rare indeed now that ultrasound is less commonly performed.  Use of the laser may predispose to longer healing times and seroma formation more so than with wet or superwet techniques.

Postoperative swelling is greater in patients who eat salty foods, exercise too early, live in warm humid climates, etc.

In "modelly type" patients who are thin to begin with, the difference between the before and the after is often not apparent for a longer period of time.  In heavier patients, the differences are usually immediate and profound.

Still, it is a good idea to talk with your surgeon to make sure you are on track.