How Long Does Swelling Post-VASER Lipo Last?

Hi there-
Swelling, particularly swelling that seems to worsen with activity or at the end of the day, means that the activity or the days events have caused fluid to accumulate in your tissues.
Exercising while this is still occurring risks further slowing the healing process, and so my preference for my own patients is to restrict their activity until this has abated and continue to compress as well.
The fact that you are still swollen shouldn't alarm you though - often swelling can persist in some form for a few months before it completely abates.

I'm sure your swelling has already gone down since this question was asked in 2009. However, I'm going to leave an answer for anyone else who may have a similar question.

Swelling is a common side effect after Vaser liposuction, and the duration of swelling can vary depending on several factors such as the extent of the procedure, individual healing capacity and adherence to post-operative care instructions.


In general, most patients experience some degree of swelling for several weeks following Vaser liposuction, with peak swelling occurring around 48-72 hours after the procedure. The majority of swelling should subside within a few weeks, although some residual swelling may persist for several months.


To help minimize swelling and speed up the recovery process, it is important to follow all post-operative care instructions provided by your surgeon. This may include wearing compression garments, avoiding strenuous activity or exercise for a period of time, staying hydrated and taking prescribed medications as directed. If you have concerns about excessive or prolonged swelling following Vaser liposuction, it is recommended to consult with your surgeon or a qualified medical professional.

It is common to see an increase in swelling when you are actively running and working out.  I will tell my patients who are 5-6 weeks out that they can begin working out at half the intensity with the understanding that you are going to experience some swelling.  Final results from Vaser are typically observed 6 months post procedure. I would continue to wear your compression garment, refrain from any blood thinning medications and supplements, and follow up with your surgeon regarding any concerns you may have.  

It’s not at all unusual to still be swollen 5 weeks after your vaser treatment, in fact swelling can take 6-9 months to completely settle. At the end of the day the swelling can appear worse then the mornings and excessive strenuous activities such as exercise can exacerbate this. The amount of swelling and the time it takes to go does vary between individuals but if you’re worried that you’re not recovering as expected I recommend you book a follow up consultation with your surgeon. He /She may recommend further compression and/or MLD sessions to help.

Patient recovery times vary significantly.  In my experience it takes 4-6 weeks for the swelling to subside.  Wearing the garment for longer does help.  MLD massage also helps.
Starting some gentle exercise can sometimes exacerbate the swelling.
Patience is all it takes.  It will eventually subside.  Elevating the legs at the end of the day helps. 
Some patients elevate the foot of their bed too.

Many studies indicate that there is less injury to the body with Vaser than with traditional #liposuction. Recovery from Vaser Liposuction is based on the level of soreness and bruising experienced by the patient. But, it can vary among patients. As with traditional liposuction, there are no large incisions  or effect on the muscle and other underlying tissue. Therefore, #healing time may be less than anticipated by most. Therefore, Vaser patients may experience less #pain or discomfort, #swelling (#edema) and bruising post procedure due to the nature of the technique.  A quicker #recovery for a patient may be two to three weeks without any strenuous activity. This includes the short period of suggested rest of 12-24 hours soon following the procedure. #Exercise and activity are contingient on how the patient feels. Mild activity is not likely to hinder recovery or healing or create problems with recovery.  However, it is recommended to acquire your doctor's permission to do so. Once you begin exercising again, start gently and let your body tell you what it can tolerate. Don’t rush!!  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.