3 weeks post-op. I know there is swelling after lipo but does this look anywhere near normal? (photos)

Please followup with your surgeon to assure that all of the fluid has been drained and has not re-accumulated.

Thanks for your question. You're still in the early stage of healing. There is a process of swelling and bruising that peaks at 3 days after surgery and then undergoes the first stage of major resolution in the first 2 weeks after surgery.  The lateer phase of healing takes place over the 2-3 months after surgery where everything really settles and softens.  It is after this time that we are getting close to the final result, though this varies patient to patient. 

Swelling post-lipo can persist for months, so it's important to be on the right after care protocols. I recommend following up with your physician about their suggested after care protocol. I have my patients wear compression for 3 to 6 weeks straight then overnight for 3-6 months after their procedure. I suggest adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression to help decrease swelling. To improve your final results, I also recommend adding Vanquish for further fat removal; truSculpt iD, Exilis, Forma, and Venus Legacy for additional skin tightening; and Cellutone / ZWave to make the skin smooth, remove scar tissue, and improve the skin’s appearance.
It will take 6 to 12 months to see the final outcome. Ultimately, if you are unhappy with your results, please speak to your physician and ensure that he/she was a full body VASER Hi-Definition liposuction physician with extensive experience in contouring and body shaping -- and not just traditional fat reduction. You can always get a revision procedure by an expert if needed. Best, Dr. Emer

777111 I am sorry you had to deal with postoperative seromas, and I completely understand your concern. However, you cannot evaluate your results after only three weeks, especially after seroma formation. Under circumstances with no issues like seroma, it can take as long as six months for all swelling to resolve and skin to settle down. Your photos do not demonstrate any cause for immediate concern.  Try to stay patient and positive and follow up with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Hello dear!!
Thanks for the question and provided information as well.
You are still early on the healing process, it can take up to six months to see your final results, so please be patient. At the stage you are in, inflammation and irregularities are normal.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

liposuction results are so wrong and inconsistent at three weeks that I tell patients to simply not even bother looking in the mirror. It just gets people upset. There is no normal. Results vary tremendously on each individual, how the procedure was performed but for sure three week results do not represent your final results. 
 There simply isn't any "what it supposed to look like at three weeks".  It's all over the place. Some people look great at three weeks other people lose the results completely while others look deformed. 
 If the procedure was done well then results will follow. It's a simple as that and there's nothing to do in the meantime. 
 You have to be patient and wait six months.  What I tell my patients is at six weeks they will have some idea of what the results will look like. Historically people who are happy with the results at six weeks are thrilled with the results of three months.  People who are unhappy with the results at six weeks I generally not happy with the results at three months.

 That's what I tell my patients. I also tell him not to look in the mirror at 2 to 3 weeks because they'll just get upset. 
 You should follow your providers recommendations and follow up with him or her and have them address your concerns. 
 Luckily your Seroma has resolved now.  That's good because chronic seromas  or a different concern and cannot be treated  successfully by aspiration. 
 Best, 
Mats Hagstrom MD