Hi MrPeterson, Thank you for your questions regarding not seeing results 8 days after VASER liposuction of your abdomen and love handles. Basically, relax and do not panic. It has only been 8 days. If you are you still anxious or panicked, please call your plastic surgeon for reassurance. Compared to traditional liposuction, VASER liposuction is more aggressive form of liposuction. Since the VASER is more aggressive, I believe you obtain better and more long-lasting results than with traditional liposuction. For me and my VASER patients, this is a great thing. Two downsides of VASER liposuction is that there may be more drainage and more swelling (edema) as compared to traditional liposuction. However, almost all my VASER patients don't mind the swelling to achieve better results. During VASER liposuction, tumescent solution is injected. Tumescent solution helps too maximize the yield of fat aspiration during VASER liposuction. Tumescent solution has epinephrine and lidocaine. The epinephrine in the tumescent solution decreases blood loss. The lidocaine in the tumescent solution minimizes intra-operative and post-operative pain.. After the tumescent solution is injected then the VASER liposuction is performed. The tumescent solution allows the energy from the VASER to melt the fat. Without tumescent solution, the VASER would not work as well. Typically, more tumescent solution is used during VASER liposuction than with traditional liposuction. However, this varies among plastic surgeons performing VASER liposuction. At the conclusion of your VASER liposuction surgery, most of the tumescent solution is gone. However, after VASER liposuction surgery there may be some tumescent solution still left inside your body. In addition, there is your body's natural reaction to the surgery, namely swelling. Swelling after VASER liposuction may be present for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the aggressiveness of your plastic surgeon. Since you are only 8 days after VASER liposuction, it is way too early to determine anything. I would suggest you follow your plastic surgeon strict instructions after VASER liposuction. If you were my patient, I would instruct you to continue to wear your compression garment for at minimum the next 6 to 8 weeks. Your garment should be tight and mildly uncomfortable. When you were approximately 2 weeks after your VASER liposuction, I would suggest lymphatic massage. Your plastic surgeon's office should be able to provide the service or refer you to a lymphatic massage specialist. Lymphatic massage will help to minimize swelling or edema. I would not suggest removing your garment. Removing your garment will lead to more swelling. You can walk, but realize that walking can increase some swelling in your feet. Walking should not necessarily increase the swelling in your abdominal or love handle region. I hope that I have answered your questions regarding swelling 8 days after VASER liposuction of your abdomen and love handles. If you have any more questions regarding post-operative care after VASER liposuction, please contact my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.
