How Long Does it Usually Take for Swelling to Go Down After Liposuction?

Bruising and swelling are normal in the suctioned areas and usually increase slightly after the removal of any tape or foam. The bruising will decrease over 3-4 weeks, but may last as long as 6 weeks. The majority of the swelling will be gone within the first 3-4 weeks. However it may take 6-9 months to disappear completely. The compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly the process will proceed. You should be able to fit into your normal clothes by 3-4 weeks.

Wear your garment day and night for 3 weeks, then another 3 weeks in the day only. However, please listen to your surgeon for their instructions.The final result of liposuction can usually be assessed at 3-4 months. Unfortunately, you may still be affected by swelling for your family events, although it is difficult to say by exactly how much. You can always wear your compression garment underneath your clothes.

With almost all tumescent tech liposuctions you swell for 3-4 days but you aren't normally any bigger than you were before the liposuction.  At 1 week you are just starting to get alittle smaller already and at 1 month you should see a big difference in your size already.  You will continue to shrink each month and the end result will be usually seen at the 6 month period. Your normal clothes should fit ok throughout the whole process.  Sincerely,

David Hansen,MD

Initial swelling is 2-3 weeks. To help expedite this, we recommend lymphatic drainage and ultrasound massage starting one week after surgery about 2-4 times over 2 weeks. Additional swelling can take 3-4 months to resolve with final results seen around 6-12 months.

 

Most of the obvious swelling from liposuction will resolve within a few weeks, however, the finer swelling and skin contraction can take several months. By around six months after surgery, you should be able to see your final results. Please direct these specific questions to your plastic surgeon at the time of your consultation or your surgery.

Best wishes,

Dr.Bruno

Swelling after liposuction can vary from patient to patient, but as a general guideline, I tell my patients the following:First, that they should expect swelling to be maximal between 2-3 weeks at which time it will start to subside. By week 8, after their procedure, they can expect to see most of the swelling gone first thing in the morning, but that they will swell throughout the day. By 16 weeks, all but the subtlest of swelling has disappeared. If patients have had previous liposuction in the area being operated on, and depending how much liposuction they had in that area in the first procedure, they can expect up to a doubling of each of the aforementioned recovery periods. A majority of the numbness is usually gone after 4 months.

Hello,Thank you for your question. Liposuction generally takes about six months to heal. Right after Liposuction, major swelling may last for a month or two. Minor swelling can linger for several months. Final result/outcome for 6 months to one year after your surgery. The compression garment very important. It must be worn for the first three months to assist in the skin contraction and promote even contour. Massage are recommended in massage the hard/firm areas  this is also normal and will improve  please consult your doctor if you ave further concerns. Best of luck! 

Thank you for your question.

Swelling is part of the healing process.  I ask my liposuction patients to wear a compression garment for 4 weeks post op surgery to help with the swelling.  The swelling can take months to subside and even longer for skin to “redrape".  At that point you will see the final results. 

Best Wishes.

If you are so concerned than delay the operation so you have more healing time. On average a month to 3 months is the range for full healing after any type of liposuction. Regards