Swelling Won't Go Down After Liposuction...what Should I Do?! And Did my Doctor Suction Enough?

You are very early in your post operative course.  It may take months to see the results.  We usually tell patients that it may take a year to see the final results.  Please make sure your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is aware.  Please clarify and follow their instructions for post operative care.  Tumescent liposuction is the instillation of tumescent fluid, (IV fluid, lidocaine, and epinephrine).  The lidocaine decreases pain.  The epinephrine reduces bruising and bleeding.  There is no pain during general anesthesia.  There may be some soreness after the procedure.  This soreness depends on how much liposuction you are doing, and other factors.  It is usually well tolerated.  It is not used for weight loss.Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.SBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonLas Vegas Plastic Surgery

Swelling can persist for 6 months and sometimes up to 1 year following liposuction.   If you are concerned about the amount suctioned, you should just ask your surgeon. 

 

 

Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

For all patients who undergo any type of surgery, they will have generalized swelling.  Especially in the areas of liposuction, you would have swelling.  Although you would start noticing the swelling decrease after couple weeks, the final result of liposuction will come about after 3-4 months.  Sorry that your postoperative recovery was not clear to you before the surgery.  You should follow your plastic surgeon's advice on postoperative care.  I usually ask my patients to wear compression garment (such as binder) and to limit activities.