I'm Having Laser Liposuction and Wondering if my Clothes Will Fit While I'm Healing?

Question

I'm having laser liposuction to my thighs and saddle bags in less than 2 months. My goal is to keep this secret from my family since they are ultra conservative and frown upon altering my body. I'm wondering if the swelling is going to be so bad that I won't be able to fit into my jeans. If that is the case, how long will the swelling last before I will look like i've not had anything done?

Peter Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

When you were a little girl, and your mother said to you that "you can't have your cake and eat it too", what she actually meant was "you can't eat your cake and have it too", meaning you can't simultaneously have two incompatible things.  The irony is that it is usually the same patients who want their plastic surgery to be completely secret and undiscoverable who want their results to be as absolutely perfect as possible, and will brook no compromise in that regard.

	Well, any experienced plastic surgeon will tell you that perfection is unobtainable, but there are things that we can do to optimize the results after surgery. After laser liposuction, things that we can do to optimize a patient's results include placing reston foam over the liposuctioned areas to reduce the potential for postoperative waviness of the skin, and placing the patient in a compression garment to assist in the optimal redraping of the skin and more rapid resolution of edema.

	Now even if it were possible to stuff you, Magic The Rabbit, back into your skinny jeans three to four days after your laser liposuction procedure, we certainly won't be able to do that with you wearing your reston foam beneath your compression garment, and so you will be at risk of the zippers, seams and grommets of your skinny jeans leaving permanent indentations in the impressionable skin overlying the sites of your laser liposuction.  

	Is that risk worth keeping your surgery a secret from your family? That is a question that ultimately only you can answer, Magic The Rabbit.  But in plastic surgery, as in life, often "you can"t have your cake and eat it too."

David Hansen, MD · Answer

It is normal to swell some after lipo for the 1st 3-4 days but is usually never larger than what you were just before the lipo. At a month you see a big improvement and it only gets better with time. Sincerely,

	David Hansen,MD

Windell C. Davis-Boutte, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Firstly, I think the decision to have any procedure done should be totally your choice, because you genuinely want the enhancement.  In my experience, the swelling should be minimal and inconspicuous with clothing on.  However, depending on the "softness" of the skin of your thighs, the swelling can be noticeable to you for several months.  I suggest wearing adequate "below knee" compression and loose fitting clothing until the swelling subsides. Ultimately, I do not feel you should have a problem "camouflaging" your procedure.  Best of luck to you!

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

By 3 days your clothes will fit fine.  Initial swelling gos up for 36 to 48 hr and then subsides.   For the first 3 days or so get a sweat suit type outfit or similar that is a bit baggy.  The garments also keep you tucked in.  Although there is swelling on days 3 and beyond, your clothes will fit fine.    My Best,  Dr C

I'm Having Laser Liposuction and Wondering if my Clothes Will Fit While I'm Healing?

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Answer: Clothes will fit after liposuction

Answer: Clothes will fit after liposuction

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I'm Having Laser Liposuction and Wondering if my Clothes Will Fit While I'm Healing?

Answers (4)

Answer: Clothes will fit after liposuction

Answer: Clothes will fit after liposuction

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Everything you need to know about Laser Liposuction

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