How long does the pain last after having liposuction?

FAQ: Post-Op Pain
and Discomfort1. How long after
liposuction will the soreness or tenderness persist?During the two
days immediately after liposuction, the amount of pain experienced depends on
the type of anesthesia used for liposuction. Local anesthesia usually persists
for more than 24 hours after surgery. Liposuction under general anesthesia,
without using local anesthesia at the same time, is much more painful and typically
requires narcotic analgesia.During the days
and weeks following liposuction, the degree of soreness and swelling is a
function of the type of aftercare procedures employed. Soreness is usually the
most intense 2 to 4 days after liposuction and then decreases steadily. The
tenderness and soreness typically is quite bothersome for up to 4 weeks, but
gradually subsides over the following next 4 to 8 weeks.2. What is the quality of
the pain after liposuction?Immediately
after tumescent liposuction, the local anesthesia persists for 12 to 24 hours,
so that the only discomfort is described as soreness or tenderness. Beginning
the day after tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia, the quality of
pain is similar to that of a sunburn and to muscle soreness that one might
experience after having worked-out too vigorously. This type of pain rarely
requires any medication other than acetaminophen (Tylenol).3. What is the intensity
of the pain after liposuction?In the hands of
surgeons who are skilled in liposuction totally by local aesthesia, patients
usually have less discomfort after surgery than when liposuction is done by
general anesthesia.The intensity of
pain immediately after liposuction is quite mild when local anesthesia is used
because of the persistence of the local anesthetic effect. After liposuction
totally by local anesthesia, patients rarely require any medication other than
acetaminophen (Tylenol). When general anesthesia is used without sufficient
lidocaine (local anesthetic) in the tumescent solution, the pain is much more
intense and often requires the use of narcotic analgesics.4. Do elastic compression
garments reduce post-operative pain?Elastic
compression garments can decrease post-liposuction pain if employed with the
open-drainage technique. "Open-drainage" refers to the technique of
not closing the tiny liposuction incisions with stitches in order to maximize
the drainage of inflammation-causing blood-tinged anesthetic solution.
Immediately after surgery, elastic garments encourage maximum amount of
drainage of blood tinged anesthetic solution, which in turn reduces pain. After
all the drainage has ceased, some patients continue to wear a compression
garment in order to restrict the movement or jiggling of the treated areas.
This reduces discomfort and gives a feeling of security.5. What can be done to
minimize the soreness and swelling after liposuction?Much of the
swelling and soreness after liposuction is the result of residual blood tinged
anesthetic solution that remains trapped under the skin after liposuction. Red
blood cells that have leaked out of blood vessels, and fragments of fatty
tissue that escape suction and remain under the skin cause inflammation.
Inflammation causes swelling and pain. By encouraging the complete drainage of
this blood tinged solution one can minimize soreness and swelling after
liposuction. Complete drainage is encouraged by leaving the incision sites open
(not closed with stitches) and by wearing an elastic compression garment.6. Will I have to stay in
bed during the recovery period?No. Patients are
encouraged to walk and to be active after surgery. Most patients who have had
tumescent liposuction totally by local anesthesia can expect to drive a car
within 24 to 48 hours, and return to a normal work schedule within 24 to 72
hours. Patients who have had liposuction under general anesthesia tend to need
more time off from work and over-all have a longer recovery period.7. Is tumescent
liposuction with local anesthesia less painful than under general anesthesia?Some patients
have first had liposuction using general anesthesia prior, and then had more
liposuction using the tumescent technique. The vast majority of patients have
said that liposuction by the tumescent technique is a dramatically less painful
experience than was liposuction under general anesthesia. Infiltrating the
local anesthesia by the tumescent technique is typically associated with minimal
discomfort. Once the area has been completely numbed, surgery in the area is
essentially painless. In addition, because the local anesthesia persists in the
treated area for more than 12 hours, there is no pain immediately after the
surgery.8. Why is tumescent
liposuction totally by local anesthesia typically less painful than liposuction
under general anesthesia?Pain associated
with liposuction can occur at three different stages: during the infiltration
of the tumescent solution, during liposuction, and postoperatively.If the surgeon
or nurse who does the tumescent infiltration has had special training in the
techniques, then the patient typically has very little pain during the process
of injecting the local anesthetic. The technique for infiltrating the solution
of tumescent anesthesia requires special skill and training. Without this
special training, surgeons must rely on general anesthesia.After the
tumescent local anesthesia has been thoroughly infiltrated into the fat, the
subsequent liposuction should be painless.The
postoperative pain after liposuction is much worse for liposuction under
general anesthesia compared to liposuction totally by local anesthesia. After
tumescent liposuction, the local anesthesia persists for many hours after surgery
and patients need only take Tylenol for discomfort. In contrast, with general
anesthesia, patients typically require narcotic analgesics to control post
operative pain.Finally, general
anesthesia, and the use of intravenous sedatives and narcotics are associated
with high incidence of nausea, vomiting and postoperative chills. Such symptoms
are quite unusual with local anesthesia.Information from Liposuction website.Dr. Norma Kassardjian

Thanks for the question. All surgical procedures have some degree of discomfort. The post op pain can often be controlled with over the counter pain relievers or a short prescription of narcotic pain pills. I wish you all the best.

Hello soon2be.newbooty,

I’m sorry for the adverse symptoms you are experiencing. Every patient is unique and will have different recovery processes and deadlines. The swelling and bruising during the first weeks are significant, and most patients will have difficulties moving around, in general. However, your plastic surgeon will give you pain medication to handle any pain that might be involved and help you feel much more comfortable. Contact your surgeon promptly if you notice an increase in swelling, pain, redness, drainage, or bleeding in the surgical area, or if you develop fever (above 100.4 F), dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Best regards! Dr. De La Cruz.

Is not unusual to still have pain albeit fleeting at four weeks. Everyone's pain tolerance is different and the amount of pain produced is different based on the procedures that were done. This pain gradually get better over the next four weeks.

After liposuction significant pain is usually gone within a day or so. You have had a combination of procedures which makes this prediction somewhat unreliable. I would also be curious as to whether or not you had laser or ultrasonically assisted liposuction.

Thanks for your question. They pain is gone in 3-8 days, but thats always going to depends of the patient and the areas that are liposuctioned.

Postoperative pain following liposuction is dependant on a multitude of factors:Patient independantAgressiveness of the liposcution itselfAreas liposuctionedI have found that it is generally 4-7 days of either pain or discomfort.  The sides and back take much longer to recover...especially the older youi are (sorry, I'm an AARP member too and not looking forward to love handle removal).  many of my patients complain of a sensativity and itching of the sides and back that can last 2-3 months.  Use of Advil/Motrin/Naprosyn etc can help with daily activites and sleep.  In cases were undue or prolonged pain is present, nerve medicatons like Neurontin and Lyrica are considered.  None of these are relevant in your short post operative period.Best of luck.Dr. Taranow, NYC

Usually, liposuction does not cause too much discomfort. At 4 weeks you are still healing and it may take 3-4 months for most of the swelling to disappear.  If concerned, see your surgeon.

Many of my patients relate the type of discomfort associated with liposuction to be like the soreness associated with a hard physical workout. Few patients require more than mild non narcotic pain relievers for more than a few days following surgery.

usually significant pain is gone in 2 to 4 days.after this there is usually no need for narcotics. persistant discomfort may last longer but can be treated with over the counter meds. swelling may persist for 6-8 weeks