6 Days Post-op - No Results from Thigh Lipo. Is this Swelling?

6 days after liposuction will be accomplanied by a great deal of swelling, where fluid in the tissue has replaced the fat that has been removed.  You will see fairly brisk improvement over six weeks and further improvement over 6 months.

Six days is too early after thigh liposuction to judge results. Typically I would advise waiting a minimum of three months.

Swelling in the first few weeks after liposuction can be significant. Expect improvement. Ask your surgeon how many ccs of fat were removed and that should reassure you.

It's totally normal for swelling to make you look the same, or worse, than before your surgery. Swelling can be quite dramatic, but most of it goes away in about two months. Don't feel discouraged!

At 6 days
post op after liposuction swelling is to be expected. The swelling will
decrease gradually after the procedure and can be noticeable for up to 3
months.  Liposuction does not always
provide an instant result so I caution my patients that their final result may
not be visible for 6 months to 1 year.  The
best thing you can do now to help the swelling resolve is to continue to wear
your compression garment.  I recommend that
all of my liposuction patients wear their compression garment 24 hours a day
for 6 weeks.  The garment not only helps
with the swelling it also helps the skin retract as much as possible.  If the swelling does not decrease or it seems
to increase see your plastic surgeon soon as possible.Be well and
good luck!@norrisplastic

Thank you for your question.   This is a common concern that we see.   Patients will typically reach maximum swelling at 72 hours and then slowly begin going down.   

Based on my experience, I typically tell my patients that 50% of my result is from surgery, and the other 50% of the end result is appropriate compression and removal of the swelling. 

I recommend that patients maintain a tight compression garment continously for 72 hours (the peak period of swelling), and then wear compression garments at all times unless bathing or washing garment.  If areas become hard or have prolonged swelling beyond 2 weeks, I recommend deep tissue massage.

I inform my patients that 90% of swelling is gone by 6 weeks and the remaining amount by 6 months.     I wish you a safe recovery and amazing end result.


Dr Gill

Thank you for the question.

The  lateral thighs,  like every other area treated with liposuction surgery  may remain swollen for many months after the procedure.  At 6 days post op  It is much early to evaluate the results of the surgery. I tell patients it may take 6 months to a year for skin to redrape  completely.

I hope this helps.

Every patient will have swelling after liposuction.  It can take up to 3 months or more, before you can appreciate the improvement.  We all want immediate results without any downtime, but it just does not happen.  You will do the best by following your surgeon's recommendations, and continue your followup with your doctor.  Revisional surgery may be necessary for some patients, but you would want to wait 6-12 months before making that decision.  Patience is usually rewarded.  Best wishes.

Michael Vincent, MD, FACS

Always expect a mild-moderate amount of swelling (edema) after any surgical procedure. With liposuction, the swelling will be more spread out, due to the large areas addressed by the procedure. 

While you will likely SEE an initial improvement in the contour of your skin, you may notice your clothes are as tight or TIGHTER than they were before surgery for several weeks. This is normal. 

As the swelling subsides, and your skin contracts you will see your final result! Unfortunately, this can take 3-6 months... so in the meantime, wear your compression garments as instructed by your doctor (I recommend constant wear for the first 6 weeks, then 12 hours/day for the next 6 weeks minimum).

6 days after liposuction is too early to determine the final results.  You have to give it several months for the swelling to come down.  Keep following you surgeon's instructions.