Should I Be Seeing Any Results Yet 5 Weeks Post-Op Liposuction?

Thank you for your question. I agree that 5 weeks is way too early to see your full result. Remember, everybody is different. Some people will swell more than others. You are also collecting fluid in the areas where liposuction was performed. You really won't see a full result for about 6-12 months. Just keep following your surgeons post care instructions. If you are really concerned schedule a follow up appointment and discuss your concerns. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certified Plastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

Thank you for submitting your question. A photo would be helpful. Your only 4 weeks after surgery. Swelling after liposuction will last for many weeks after surgery. Final results take 6-12 months. Continue to use your contour garment, minimize activities, and lymphatic massage help with the swelling. Discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon.

I think it is still a little early to be worried. If you felt smaller right after the procedure, then what you are seeing now could be attributed to swelling. I usually tell patients to wait at least 3 months before they look at their results, and that we won't have a "final" results for 6 months. However, by 6 or 8 weeks, you should see some improvement. So, if you are still not seeing results, I would go back to your doctor and check with him/her. Perhaps have a look at the "before" photos for comparison.

Swelling after liposuction usually lasts 2-4 weeks, however sometimes it can be longer. About 80% of results will be seen after 4-6 months and sometimes a little longer. It is best to be patient and not make any final judgements for at least another 6-8 months or so.

 

 

I take all of my post op photos at one month post liposuction procedure.  You should be seeing at about 90% of the final result at 5 weeks.  If you are concerned, check back with your doctor.  Sometime liposuction will dull your memory and improve your eyesight.  You may want to get together with your doctor and look at your before and after photos to see what was actually accomplished.

Yes- 80-90% of your results should be evident by 5-6 weeks, with continued improvements noted by 12 weeks.

Thank you for the question.

At 5 weeks postop it is still too early to evaluate your final results. I ask patients to wait at least 2 to 3 months to assess the results of the procedure. It may take several months later for the skin to “redrape".

I would suggest continued follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Best wishes.

Your story is very famiiar.  Very commonly at 5 weeks there is a lot of swelling and the results do not appear so apparent.  Usually patients need to wait 3-4 months before seeing the results that they expect.

At 5 weeks you are still going to be fairly swollen. You may start seeing more significant changes by 3 - 6 months though it can take up to a year for the swelling to maximally subside. Where is your weight now compared to your preoperative one? Many people either retain water or put on weight initially for a variety of other reasons (eating more and lack of exercise). This can obscure or neutralize you surgical results.

Normally, you should see results after surgery unless the liposuction is very small volume - sometimes the swelling camouflages the results. You will continue to swell over several weeks after your procedure, but this should be close to significantly improved by 6 weeks. The key is that you don't return to the activities that have led you to your original need for liposuction but begin to institute a regimen of regular diet and exercise to maintain your frame. Also, it is unlikely that anyone would notice under clothes, so this really shouldn't be a criterion for a successful result. 

Best of luck.