What is the typical time it takes for swelling to subside after Liposuction?

Congratulations on having tumescent liposuction which is traditional liposuction plus fluid pumped into the tissue which decreases bruising, swelling, and speeds recovery in and of itself.  Traditional liposuction, first brought to America in 1982 at the ASAPS meeting in Honolulu, was a brilliant advancement of cosmetic plastic surgery.  The addition of tumescent fluid to traditional liposuction was also very valuable.  Unfortunately, all the other technical innovations (Vaser, Laser, Smooth, Smart, etc.) have truly given the patient no better liposuction and no quicker recovery.  Swelling after liposuction increases for the first 5 days, reaches a peak and then begins to subside.  During that first 5 days, wearing a girdle will give some degree of counter balance to the swelling process, and therefore decrease the time of recovery.  In my practice, the use of DMSO beginning the day after surgery decreases swelling, bruising, and speeds recovery.  DMSO is a wood product used mainly as a horse linament to decrease swelling in the joints of expensive horses.  Professional athletes know well the value of DMSO.  It is the world's best anti-inflammatory.  It also decreases bruising, and in my office, we put it on faces and necks after a facelift every half hour the first night, leading to almost no bruising by the morning of the second day.Also, at the Mommy Makeover Institute of Hawaii, we use therapeutic ultrasound (the kind physical therapists use for sore muscles) to bring blood supply to an area injured by liposuction, which helps carry away bruising and injured fat cells which also speeds recovery.  A second value of ultrasound is that the sound waves that penetrate the skin act like a sifter in the kitchen to even out the remaining fat cells which again allow quicker recovery.  Taking it easy for the first 5 days allows the small clots on each disrupted capillary to solidify, and therefore, on the 6th post operative day, I have my patients here in Hawaii go back to the gym and even go back running.  The only physical activity that is limited, in my practice, is swimming since the small, liposuction incisions are close under the surface, and therefore they do not become water tight for about 3 weeks.By 3 weeks, using the above regiment, 90% of swelling has routinely subsided.

I typically tell my patients that they will start seeing results 4-6 weeks post surgery. After two weeks, you are likely still swollen. You can also start massaging the areas treated to help any residual swelling. Small circular motions to start and massage deeper if it you don't have any discomfort.

Most all is gone in 3 months. Lymphatic massage or use of a treatment such as Vaser shape will speed up recovery. It sounds like you are on the right path for recovery. Good Luck!

Swelling at 3 days post op is completely normal following liposuction.  My advice to you would be to wear your compression garment as instructed by your surgeon, relax and elevate your legs to reduce the swelling in your feet.  Be patient and give yourself time to heal.  Do not entertain exercising or the gym at this point.  Remember, liposuction is surgery, not a spa treatment.  All surgical procedures involve a recovery period and you are still very early on in this process.  Your swelling should begin to subside after a few weeks but some swelling is normal up to a few months after liposuction.

Most patients reach their peak of swelling at about 1 week after surgery and then see a gradual improvement for about 3 months. Most patients are very happy with the results after only 1 month, but the results continue to improve, especially as you get back into your normal exercise routine. There is not much that you can do to speed up the process. Just eat a healthy diet and avoid excess salt. Stay active. Follow your surgeons advice on activity, but don't just lounge around the house.

Protracted swelling after liposuction is normal and one can can expect that 100% resolution of all swelling will take a full three months after surgery. As a general rule, 50% of the swelling is gone by three weeks and 75% to 90% by six weeks. Be aware that as you return to working out and other physical activities your liposuctioned treated areas will swell by the end of the day and go down again by the morning. This cyclical lymphedema is normal and will eventually go away after a few months.

Swelling at three days is very normal.  Swelling in your feet and legs can be something more serious but is almost always just a byproduct of the surgery.  It is likely a good thing that you do not feel ready for the gym yet.  A little break from exercise will be in your best interest. I know it is hard to wait out results but it takes weeks to months to get to your end results.Nothing will be more valuable in your recovery than patience. Best,Dr. Pyle