Is there a general Laser Liposuction timeline?

Question

Hi there! I'm 25 and am having laser lipolysis done on my frontal and outer thighs in a week. Is there a general timeline for the weeks and months following my procedure? For example when can I expect the bruising/swelling to stop, and when should I start seeing results? How will I feel in the first few days? When will I start feeling normal again? I know these tend to vary from individual to individual, but an approximate timeline would be great at helping me ease my nerves! (:

Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. At the 6 week time period, things should be well healed, and the last 10-20% of healing will be beginning. I hope this helps!

Mitchell Chasin, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your upcoming treatment! I can’t speak for exactly what you should expect, so you should definitely talk with your surgeon about what they typically see for recovery with their patients following this procedure.
  
Here’s my experience with my patients: typically after your treatment you will feel like you just had an intense workout. You may feel a bit sore and there may be mild swelling the next day. Being under local anesthesia will greatly decrease the amount of bruising.  You will start to see the result as soon as the day after treatment. Your body will swell a few days post treatment, as the remaining fluid drains and gets metabolized. Every week you will notice yourself getting smaller, by 3 months you will be at your final results.

Michael H. Gold, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question – and like Dr. Hagstrom, I am a little concernedthat you do not know these answers, especially when you say that you are having this procedure in one week’s time. During the consultation with your doctor, the post-operative course, the expectations for the procedure, the risks-benefits, and what you should expect in the days and weeks after the procedure are a must in the consult. If you do not know this, you are not ready for the procedure. We also hope that you are consulting with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon that is well versed in liposuction and well versed in lasers – knowing both well is key to making the procedure work the way you want it to be.In general, I tell my patients to avoid exercise for the first 24 hours after the procedure, to start walking the next day, and to expect doing exercise within the first 5-7 days. We have our patients wear compression garments 24 hours a day for the first 7 days; then at night for the next several weeks. And bruising will be expected – it depends on how aggressive the liposuction procedure is – and it usually resolves within a week.Your questions make me nervous about who is doing the procedure – go back and have another conversation and make sure that you understand everything about the procedure and the post-procedure course before having it performed.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I'm surprised your provider has not reviewed the procedure with you.Perhaps you have not met with them yet?Expect general swelling and bruising for 5 to 12 days.After this, you may experience some lumpiness, firmness and unevenness for the following month.Expect final results between three to six months.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

Is there a general Laser Liposuction timeline?

Answers (4)

Answer: Surgery in a week with many questions

Answer: Surgery in a week with many questions

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Everything you need to know about Laser Liposuction

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Is there a general Laser Liposuction timeline?

Answers (4)

Answer: Surgery in a week with many questions

Answer: Surgery in a week with many questions

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Laser Liposuction

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