If I get lipo on my flanks will my waist get bigger with swelling and for how long?

Question

I want to get lipo on my flanks and look better for summer. If my waist will be bigger or the same this summer then I will wait until winter

Carolina Restrepo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Healing after liposuction is usually pretty straight forward.  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 later 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.

Justin Yovino, MD, FACS · Answer

Typically I find that patients start to enjoy their results by about two weeks.  Your will likely appreciate a change even after two days.  I find that it takes about three months to hit a stable appearance.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Yes, you may have swelling, which can be variable and last 3-6 months after your procedure. To decrease swelling, I recommend adding hyperbaric oxygen and lymphatic massage along with your compression. For best results with liposuction, I recommend a hi definition procedure like VASER liposuction. I use VASER HI DEF with ThermRF and fat grafting to get the most fat removal, skin tightening, contour and definition. This combination will give you the most toned result. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a hi definition physique expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Rob1701,swelling can occur after a liposuction, but it usually resolves within a few weeks. Your body will probably need six months to fully recover from the surgery. You should consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery 
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Swelling from liposuction should never be larger than you are before the procedure. Even after 1 week you should see a little smaller waistline and after 1 month there should be a noticeable improvement. Remember it takes 6 months to get to final results.

Ryan Neinstein, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for the question. I recently wrote a textbook chapter on waist sculpting with liposuction. To clarify we call waist's the area between the hip and ribs in females and we call it flanks in males. The reason the name is different is that the shape is different (curve vs square). Having this done with a minimally invasive technique should get you optimized to enjoy your summer!

David A. Sieber, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question! The most noticeable swelling after liposuction is for the first 1-2 weeks after surgery. Most patients still have some mild swelling which may persist for a month or 2 after surgery. However, because fat is removed even with the swelling, you should have an improved contour compared to what you had before surgery. The other thing to consider is that most doctors have patients wear some type of compression for weeks to months after surgery to help optimize the result. If you want more information, make an appointment to take to a surgeon about when is the best time for liposuction. Best of luck!~Dr. Sieber

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

When liposuction is done correctly on someone who is a good candidate for the procedure immediate improvements and should be seen even during the swelling phase.
Patients typically see results close to the final results within the first 24 hours.
At that point swelling begins in this at its worst around 10 days after the procedure.
Most patients will appreciate improvements even after most swollen state.
Swelling it gradually subsides over the next several months.
The great majority or swelling is gone within the first 3 to 6 weeks.
In regards to having the procedure to get ready for summer I would count on 3 to 4 weeks as being a reasonable recovery time.
It's possible for people to bruise from the procedure.
This is more likely when liposuction is done in an aggressive manner which can at times be appropriate to get the best results.
Bruising is less likely will liposuction just done it without the use of General Anastasia.
Most bruising will be gone by 10 days but can persist for up to three weeks.
The incisions after liposuction tend to heal well and become minimally visible overtime.
The skin incisions take a long time before they're completely faded out.
While the incisions are small they can have a color changes that take 6 to 9 months to fade out.
I noticed you posted several questions in regards to cool sculpting.
My experience has been that this is an inferior procedure in comparison to well done liposuction.
The great majority of patients I've met with had cool sculpting were dissatisfied with the results.
The primary reason for dissatisfaction is a lack of results.
The second most common reason the patients at the satisfied with this mode of fat removal are uneven contours.
Liposuction is not limited to the shape of any one device like cool sculpting.
This allows The areas to be properly blended into each adjacent area.
My practice is devoted exclusively to liposuction and fat transfer procedures. I am the only board-certified plastic surgeon in the bay area who's practice is focused exclusively on these two procedures. 
I perform both liposuction and fat transfer procedures with local Anastasia using miles sedation.
I find this advantageous for many reasons.
Primarily improved results but also increased safety, faster recovery, less bruising and lower costs.
I suppose I'm biased and my preference for liposuction since I don't perform cool sculpting.
Still, I have yet to meet a patient who was happy with the results from cool sculpting.
Many patients also describe cool sculpting as been quite uncomfortable.
High patient satisfaction after liposuction is highly patient dependent.
Some people are excellent candidate for this procedure while others are not.
That ability to properly assess a patient and communicate what type of results can be expected it's key for maintaining overall high patient satisfaction.
I suggest having several in person consultations with board-certified plastic surgeon's who have extensive experience with liposuction.
Consulting with plastic surgeons who offer both cool sculpting and liposuction will clearly give you A less biased opinion.
Best of luck,
Mats Hagstrom M.D.

William H. Jervis, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

it generally takes about 3 to 6 months for swelling to resolve after liposuction, but therapeutic ultrasound may help speed it up.

If I get lipo on my flanks will my waist get bigger with swelling and for how long?

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