Is Pain After Liposuction Normal?

Pain is normal after liposuction. you definitely need pain pills so you are not in severe pain. it sounds like you are not taking prescription pain pills. typically the more fat removed then the more pain associated with it. Some physicians only take alittle amount of fat out and send you home on tylenol which is sufficient for the minimal amount of pain but if you have a truely thorough liposuction, then you will need prescription pain pills and especially the abdomen hurts the most. Neck liposuctions don't ususally hurt much so that is the one exception to the rule.
Suturing the incisions are an older method of liposuction done 10-20 yrs ago since the canulas were so much bigger than the microcanulas we use now. Now days we want the canulas to be smaller so the holes are smaller and therefore the scars are tiny. The smaller the canula then the smoother the results also and less waviness and dimpling. We want the holes to drain the excess fluid out so the swelling goes down quicker. The fact that you have stitches tells me you are not draining fluid out therefore the abnormal swelling you are experiencing is probably expected. I sure hope you are in a compression garment that is not too tight as that also contributes to the excess pain and excess swelling.
As a rule, at one week you should see a little improvement in the overall results. At 1 month you see a big improvement and at 4-6 months you see the end results.
Don't worry and trust your physician's advise. What ever technique he or she is doing, they will know the usual and expected symptoms you should have along the way to recovery and advise you appropriately.
Also you should keep a positive attitude since your speedy recovery depends on it and don't worry so much since almost everything in liposuction is fixable.

Dear ksusanb,

First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge your concerns and feelings following your liposuction procedure. Experiencing significant discomfort and observing changes in your body can indeed be distressing, especially when you're in the early stages of recovery. Let's address your concerns systematically.

Sharp Pain Near Incisions:

Experiencing pain, including sharp pains near the incision sites, is not uncommon after liposuction. This can be attributed to the trauma the tissue undergoes during the procedure, which can affect nerves and result in sensations like the one you're describing. However, describing the pain as "severe" and like a "knife going into the exact place" warrants a thorough evaluation by your surgeon. It’s crucial to communicate this as clearly as possible to your doctor. Sometimes, using analogies or describing the intensity, frequency, and triggers can help convey your experience accurately. While it might be related to the normal healing process, ensuring there isn't a more serious issue, such as an infection or nerve damage, is important.

Asymmetry and Swelling:

Post-operative swelling is expected and can cause the treated areas to appear uneven or more voluminous than anticipated. This swelling can also affect the surrounding areas, like your legs, contributing to the sensations and appearance you've described. In many cases, asymmetry in the initial weeks is largely due to uneven swelling and will gradually improve as the swelling subsides. Most plastic surgeons advise waiting for several months, up to a year, to evaluate the final results of liposuction, as the body needs time to heal fully and for the swelling to resolve.

Your concerns about the appearance of your hips and legs, while understandable, are likely to be influenced significantly by the swelling at this stage. Compression garments, if recommended by your surgeon, can help manage swelling and support the healing tissues.

Moving Forward:

Immediate Communication: Contact your surgeon before your appointment if possible, especially regarding the severe pain. Don’t wait until stitch removal if you are genuinely concerned. Providing as much detail about your pain and symptoms ahead of time can help your surgeon prepare and ensure you receive the attention you need.

Trust but Verify: It’s natural to feel anxious about your results and the healing process. It's essential to trust your surgeon's expertise, but also to feel heard and supported. If you feel your concerns are not being adequately addressed, seeking a second opinion for peace of mind is entirely within your rights.

Patience and Care: Remember, recovery from liposuction can be a long process, and early-stage results are not indicative of the final outcome. Following your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions closely, including attending all follow-up appointments, will support your recovery.

Experiencing a mix of emotions, including fear and regret, is not uncommon after undergoing cosmetic procedures. However, focusing on your recovery and maintaining open communication with your surgeon can help navigate these challenges. Your feelings are valid, and ensuring your concerns are addressed is paramount.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Thanks for the question. Yes, for sure. After Liposuction surgery, 3-9 months you still see progress in the performance of the surgery. After 1 month you will still have swellings and it is still early to say something about the final result. You should follow up the progress with your surgeon. I wish you all the best.

Thank you for your question, and congratulations on your surgery!  At 6 days post-op, you are very early in the recovery process, and what you are experiencing is completely normal.  Liposuction results in a predictable degree of swelling and bruising, proportional to the amount of fat removed, and also preferentially settling into the legs and pubic region with gravity.  Swelling peaks at around 3 days after surgery, and continues to decrease until about 3 months later.  Much of the swelling can be expected to have resolved in the first few weeks.  We can control the swelling with compression garments and lymphatic massage, but at 6 days what you are seeing is just part of the process.  Additionally, some asymmetry can definitely be expected in the early phase.  Be patient - how you will look in 3 weeks, or 3 months, will be better by leaps and bounds!!

It’s not unusual to have pain and swelling following liposuction surgery. These problems are related to the passage of the liposuction canula through the subcutaneous tissue. Post operative swelling can also contribute to post operative discomfort and lead to other problems as well.

In some cases, swelling can lead to asymmetry and a sensation that the treated areas have actually worsened following liposuction. For these reasons, the assessment of symmetry and contour can’t be made for at least six weeks following surgery. Swelling can be minimized by using compression garments, massage, and early resumption of physical activity.

In many cases, the quality of the patient’s surgical experience is related to post operative pain management. Pain tolerance varies from patient to patient with some describing it as minimal, while others describe it as severe.

In the immediate post operative period, patients are given narcotic pain relievers. They are rapidly switched to non narcotic pain relievers as soon as possible.

Small amounts of pain and swelling may be present for several months following liposuction. When prolonged severe pain and swelling are present, this might indicate the presence of a complication. Under these circumstances, contacting your plastic surgeon would be appropriate.

Severe pain is very unusual after liposuction and might be a sign that something is wrong (like an infection).  I would visit you surgeon and have him take a look.  Early asymmetry is common so I wouldn't worry about that.

First of all, you state that you just had liposuction 6 days ago and you are concerned about several issues. You also have another question just submitted stating that you had blepharoplasty 5 weeks ago and you are concerned about the incisions not healing properly. (Please see my response to the blepharoplasty question). It is good that you are seeking answers to your questions, but many of these issues you need to discuss with your doctor, especially if you are going in for multiple procedures at different times and still have unresolved issues with the surgery.
To specifically address your present concerns...
"I have a sharp pain when I move, like a knife going into the exact place on each side"
You are fresh out of surgery and your body is trying to heal from your procedure. Occasionally, underlying sensory nerves can be irritated and cause temporary discomfort. You also had small incision to perform the liposuction and, occasionally, you may feel discomfort at these sites (almost like a paper cut) until they heal. However, you need to discuss these issues with your doctor and have them examine you to make sure nothing more serious is happening.
"My right hip is higher and fatter than my left. I am clearly lopsidded."
After liposuction, you may become swollen. Depending on how you lay in bed or how you put on your post-operative garments, your swelling may be asymmetrical. The swelling will take several weeks to months to completely resolve. Additionally, many people have asymmetric body structure. When you are heavier, the fat camouflages the underlying asymmetries. However, after the fat is removed, your asymmetry may be more apparent. These are issues that you need to discuss with your surgeon before surgery.
My legs are very big, swollen (I understand this happens), but they wabble like jello."
When you deflate your legs with liposuction, the skin needs to contract or tighten. There is an important balance required when performing leg liposuction to avoid loose skin. This is also an issue that you need to discuss with your surgeon prior to surgery.
"I am afraid I will look much worse than I did."
Hopefully, you have a good relationship with your surgeon. It sounds like you have many issues to discuss. I suggest writing down your questions and bring them with you so that you make sure all of your issues are addressed during your visit. As with every surgery, you have to go through a healing phase. Some people recover faster than others. 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 discomfort are still normal.
I suggest my patients to try the lymphatic massages and to use a full body compression garment, 24/7 for the first 3 months, and after that, for 12 hours a day for 3 more months, to get the best results.
If you have any concerns, please follow up close with your plastic surgeon.
Good luck :)

Pain and swelling after liposuction is normal. As for the asymmetry, this is also common right after surgery and should be nothing to worry about. If you are in severe pain and are concerned you should make an appointment to see your doctor to get evaluated.

Liposuction is a safe, popular, and effective way to contour the body. Patients should be aware of the recovery process after liposuction. Immediately after the surgery, they will experience a moderate amount of pain, swelling, and bruising. In our practice, we provide every patient with a special compression garment that helps decrease the swelling and provide support for the patient to increase their comfort. Most patients statement that the first two days after liposuction are the most uncomfortable and they can return to work shortly after that.