How long should I expect swelling post liposuction? I heard tissues can harden under the skin. Timeline and treatment reccos?

Question

How long should I expect swelling after liposuction? I've heard tissues under the skin can harden after surgery. How long does this typically last? Is this something that generally dissipates over time, or is it something that really requires active treatment to be resolved? If the latter, are there treatments you recommend in addition to massage?

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. Swelling after liposuction can last up to 3 months. Hardness from scar tissue can last up to one year. Both resolve with time and massages can help speed the process. I hope this helps.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. In addition to compression, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and radiofrequency treatments, lymphatic massage is highly effective in the prevention of fluid buildup, scar tissue, inflammation, and infections. Lymphatic massage also decreases the chance of irregularities, lumps or bumps; accelerates healing and minimizes downtime; and, following a liposculpture procedure, can help further contour the abdominals.

I recommend that my liposculpture patients receive lymphatic massage treatments every day for a week following their procedure; twice per week for the following month; and then once per week until healing is complete.

I recommend following up with your physician (or with a hi-definition physique expert) about best after care practices. Best, Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear tyty82,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Swelling is common and expected after liposuction.  A good percentage of the swelling will resolve after 6 weeks, but final results are not seen for 6 months.  Compression garments and massage are helpful in controlling swelling and helping the tissues to heal.  I encourage you to discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I’m not sure if you have scheduled surgery but these are all things that surgeons usually review during a consultation.

If you have not then I suggest scheduling multiple in person consultations with local board-certified plastic surgeons in your community Who have an exceptional amount of experience with Liposuction.

Liposuction results vary greatly and delivering consistent high-quality Liposuction results is far more difficult than most people believe.

Liposuction results are permanent and irreversible and if not done correctly can leave people disfigured.

These are really the issues patients should focus all of their effort on because they are in the end critically important.

People swell and develop early scar tissue that often feels firm and lumpy they’re in the first few weeks after the procedure. By six weeks results are about 75% complete and by three months tissues are back to normal.  Different plastic surgeons have different recommendations for postop instructions. In my opinion none of them actually change final outcomes.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Gokhan Temiz, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question. The swelling is the most common side effect of liposuction. It is temporary effect and starts to go down after few days from the procedure. It is nearly impossible to say the exact time period of the swelling completely gone since it is completely can change for each patients. Seeing the very final result of the liposuction may take 6 moths of time but before that most of the swelling will be gone already. To reduce the swelling and fasten recovery period using compression garment is very important. It is generally suggested to wear for 6-8 weeks of time. In addition to that I suggest my patients to have lymphatic drainage massage to fasten the recovery process. The ultimate thing that patients have to pay attention is the diet and exercise. Even though body contouring operations gives the permanent result, paying attention to the diet and exercise is very important to improve the result, fasten the recovery process.

How long should I expect swelling post liposuction? I heard tissues can harden under the skin. Timeline and treatment reccos?

Answers (6)

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