Does Swelling Get Worse After VASER Lipo?

Question

I am at the two month mark after my procedure and I am 'thicker' than I was two weeks ago. I had VASER on my upper and lower abs, full back flanks and all, and inner thighs, and also brazilian butt lift. I look worse that what I started with. My waist is a full 2 inches thicker than 2 weeks ago, I have lumps on my stomach, and my inner thighs look no better. My behind looks fine, but now that its bigger, and I am bigger after lipo, I look fat. Will this get better? I'm watching my diet too.

Jeffrey LaGrasso, MD · Answer

VASER liposuction has a definite time dependent healing process. Typically, peak swelling is 5 to 7 days after the operation and by 6 to 8 weeks approximately 60-75% of the swelling has resolved. By 6 months, 90% of the swelling is gone and 100% by 1 year. Without seeing pictures, it is difficult to determine what exactly is going on but this is not typical. You may have a seroma (fluid collection) and I would recommend going back to see your surgeon. I like to use drains for a least a week to prevent seroma formation and to expedite healing. Also, lymphatic massage and ultrasound also help to expedite recovery. Hopefully, you have been wearing your compression garment for the first 2 months all the time.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Swelling after #Vaser liposuction is not uncommon. Gentle #walking may increase circulation and help to alleviate swelling. But you must not strain or push yourself. Also, if you were provided a post-procedure #garment, be sure you are wearing it until prescribed otherwise by your doctor. The purpose of the post-procedure #garment is to provide some gentle #support and to reduce swelling. If it feels too tight or causes pain, take it off. Many patients wear the #elastic garment for several weeks after procedures, as directed by their doctor; some choose to wear it longer for several months for comfort.
The final results of the procedure are typically most noticeable 2-4 months following the #Vaser. So, you must have patience. The swelling will gradually diminish while the contours of the treated area(s) can continue to improve up to one year post procedure; becoming more apparent in appearance. If you have concerns about your healing, or pain that you question to be unusual, it is important to call your plastic surgeon to discuss these further asked to be examined.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Swelling can figure prominently into liposuction after a few weeks. The results are typically observed immediately following surgery, and then there is a period of swelling that can persist for 3 to 6 months and sometimes longer. The key factor in this is to assure that there is only swelling and not a fluid collection that must be drained. Only a physical exam will be able to sort these issues out. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Alexandra Chambers, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.

	Like after any surgery trauma of Vaser operation leads to inflammatory reaction associated with swelling. It can last varying time depending on the area treated, amount of fat removed, type of Vaser  procedure done and aftercare patient received. In our clinic we did an audit of the recovery for 100 patients randomly selected after Vaser and length of swelling was varying form 14 to 42 days.

	Fluid collection called seroma is common after Vaser -see your surgeon to exclude that possibility

Jeffrey M. Hartog, DMD, MD · Answer

It's not uncommon to have swelling for several months after liposuction. Are you wearing your compression garment religiously? I recommend you speak with your PS about your concerns. I do think some more healing time is needed. Some people hold onto swelling longer than others.

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

Swelling after liposuction can be made much worse by sodium. The more salt you ingest the more water stays in the liposuction areas. This will eventually stop but it takes 6 months to get 80 to 90% there. Read labels on all you eat. There is sodium in almost everything, A low sodium diet is 2000 mg day. You cannot.....CANNOT.....likely eat out salt avoid salt. Of course you must absolutely not gain weight. We instruct all patients to reflect what we removed on the scale at 2 months and to match it at 6 months. Many do this. This is the secret to an excellent result. You are 2 inches thicker because of salt. We had one lady that gained 12 lb in one day because she ate a sodium load and got very thirsty. She drank a lot of water and the fluid collected in her liposuction areas where the lymphatics were just healing. The healing process is 12 months. Most happens in the first 6 months but the full process takes one year. The lymphatics must heal together before they will carry body fluid away from an injured area. You will be fine, My Best, Dr C

Does Swelling Get Worse After VASER Lipo?

Answers (6)

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