Does Liposuction in One Area Cause Swelling in Another?

Dear QTPie,

The swelling from liposuction can drift down into your hips and thighs.  This is just simply the effect of gravity.  The swelling will resolve.  Your plastic surgeon should be carefully observing all the swelling to make sure that it is reasonable and resolving appropriately.

Enjoy your journey,

Dr. ES

After liposuction, gravity will move the abdominal swelling to the pubic area, groin and thighs.  There might be generalized swelling for other reasons including the fluids that were given to you. If you are wearing a compression garment that stops at the mid thighs, then your calves might be swollen because of the restriction above the calves. You shouldn't be taking Motrin or Advil, etc. without asking your surgeon, but if you had for pain, this might cause swelling in the legs.

Yes, we call this third spacing of fluids and it explains why someone often weighs more after liposuction than before. Any injury causes inflammation which makes your blood vessels leaky and cause fluid to seep into your tissues, even areas that were not operated upon.

There may be surrounding swelling do to liposuction done in a nearby area, due to gravity and/or due to the amount of wetting solution infused into the tissues at the time of surgery

Swelling in other parts of the body after liposuction is common especially in areas that are more dependent like the legs and groin region.

After virtually any surgery, you can notice fluid retention in other parts of your body.  This should be gone by 2 weeks or so.