Hello, and thank you for your question regarding labia swelling after a lower body lift. Thank you for your history. Edema or swelling after a lower body lift is completely normal. During the healing phase, your body swells. During this phase, your body rushes blood to the incision. The blood goes out of the circulation through the capillaries and results in swelling. The blood going out of the capillaries delivers essential healing components. Physically, this presents as swelling or edema. Usually, there is swelling throughout the entire incision. Sometimes, as fluid collects, there can be more swelling in dependent areas. Dependent areas are areas that are lower to the ground on your body. Dependent areas include your ankles and knees. Also, fluid migrates and collects in the lower back when lying down after a lower body lift. Fluid can also collect in the buttocks. Fluid can also collect in the labia because, during the lower body lift surgery, fat is removed from the pubic region. The removal of suprapubic fat and the elevation of the pubic area causes swelling. Also, during the abdominoplasty portion of the lower body lift, fluid collects and descends into the pubic region by gravity. Most of the time, there is asymmetric swelling in the labia. Asymmetric swelling is more common than symmetric swelling. Nonetheless, almost all swelling eventually goes away. Compression can help. Ice can also help, but always check with your plastic surgeon before you apply ice. Good luck. I hope this answers your question regarding asymmetric labial swelling one week after lower body lift. Good luck. Sincerely, J. Timothy Katzen, MD, MBA, FASMBS, FICS
