How do you know there is swelling after lipo and not just fat left over? What do you look for? (photos)

Question

I just got lipo 10 weeks ago and my doc says I am still very swollen. I don't think he is being honest and I would like to know how he knows I'm swollen without being able to see inside to really know. I have no pain, lumps, or numbness.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Patients will have swelling 3-6 months after liposuction. It is too early to tell what your final results however, you really were not a candidate for liposuction alone and you need skin removal.   I do recommend adding RF treatments (Venus Legacy, Exilis, Ultra, Vanquish) along with shock/vibration therapy Cellutone/z wave and hyperbaric oxygen and compression in order to decrease swelling and improve results. Best, Dr. Emer

Tania Medina de Garcia, MD · Answer

Hello dear, thanks for your question and provided information as well... You have to know that swelling after lipo can be present for at least 6 to 8 weeks using your garment, if you don't use it it will last more, you need to follow your surgeon's instructions.. If you're so soon after lipo you cannot think about fat, because you cannot notice fat left over when you're also swollen.

Eric A. Weiss, MD, FACS · Answer

I am concerned on why you don't trust your doctor. There is a difference between how retained fat feels and excess fluid as in swelling. Your doctor also knows how thin the area was as he was performing the liposuction. If now, it is considerably thicker, than it must be fat. My rule is one month of swelling for every decade of life. I dont know how old you are, but if you are in your 20's thats 3 months of swelling, your 30's 4 months of swelling,etc. Ten weeks is a little early for final results. Ask how much was removed. Many times a picture was taken of the aspirated fat, which will give you evidence of what was removed. Look at you before pictures and compare to now, this can be helpful.Good luckEric Weiss MD

Scott E. Kasden, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi questionI don't know the history of how/why you lost trust in your doctor.There isn't a single way to know about swelling, however, swelling tends to feel different from fat.  Hard to explain but fat is softer, and if you push hard on areas with a lot of swelling, it can leave a depression.With experience, the doctor knows that swelling with lipo takes about a year or longer to resolve.  Most swelling resolves in the first 3 months, and after that, it resolves very slowly.My concern is that you have some some loose skin, which I hope shrinks down with time.All the best.sek

Jack Peterson, MD · Answer

My comment is based on looking at your photos and not having seen your preoperative photos. I am seeing excess skin. I would guess you would need to consider a formal abdominoplasty. Wait 6 months post operative for all swelling to resolve.

How do you know there is swelling after lipo and not just fat left over? What do you look for? (photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Swelling after lipo

Answer: Swelling after lipo

Answer: #liposuction #abdominoplasty both a liposuction and an abdominoplasty

Answer: #liposuction #abdominoplasty both a liposuction and an abdominoplasty

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How do you know there is swelling after lipo and not just fat left over? What do you look for? (photos)

Answers (8)

Answer: Swelling after lipo

Answer: Swelling after lipo

Answer: #liposuction #abdominoplasty both a liposuction and an abdominoplasty

Answer: #liposuction #abdominoplasty both a liposuction and an abdominoplasty

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Liposuction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.