How do you help alleviate edema after lipo?

Question

I just had 2 L of fat removed from my inner and outer thighs 10 days ago (5'4, 136lb) and I seem to be retaining an obcene amount of fluid. Could this be because my incisions were stiched up and my body wasn't given a chance to drain the excess fluids? My bruising seems to be traveling down my legs further every day when I'm out and about. Is there a way to alleviate the water retention and prevent further development of bruising?

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

.Compressive garments, elevation, salt restriction may have minor effects on swelling after liposuction but in the end the only permanent solution is the passage of time

Thomas Fiala, MD, FACS, FRCSC · Answer

Hi.  Unfortunately, some swelling is pretty much "standard" with liposuction of the legs, especially for the first 2-3 weeks.  Here are some tips to help:Wear your compression garment; keep the amount of time standing on your feet to a reasonable minimum; start doing massages of the liposuctioned area as soon as your surgeon allows; and keep dietary salt to a minimum.  Additionally, if you raise your legs way up - i.e. lie on your bed, and put your feet up on a nearby wall - for 10 minutes, twice a day, this can help too.I don't recommend diuretics - they make you dehydrated, but don't really pull the fluid out of the tissues particularly well.All the best,

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Typically massage or ultrasound help. Compression, exercise and diuretics is what I typically prescribe for my patients.  All my patients get VelaShape treatments 2-3 weeks after liposuction to speed up the healing process, stimulate skin tightening, and prevent irregularities.  Speak to your physician about these alternative options.  Arnika or Bromelain pills are also useful to continue for the first 4-6 weeks.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

Bruising and swelling are normal after Liposuction.   How much bruising and swelling will vary from patient to patient.   The best things to do to minimize these issues are Compression Garments, Elevation whenever possible and Lymphatic Massage.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Swelling and bruising is common after liposuction. For treatment of the legs, the bruising commonly travels down the leg. Swelling will persist for several weeks when the majority will go away, but there might be residual swelling for several months.

Silvia C. Rotemberg, MD · Answer

Hi, you should try to wear compression stockings, knee high is ok, if you are going to be up and about most of the day. while at home try to keep your legs elevated.  Lymphatic drainage massage, if you can afford to have it once or twice a week, helps a lot with swelling.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear  Abigail,

Thank you for submitting your Real
Self post.  You had two litres of fat
removed from your inner and outer thighs only ten days ago.  It is very common to feel quite swollen and
bloated at this point, as your body does retain fluid generally and
systemically as a result of stress hormones released at the time of
surgery.  In addition, there may be some
fluid collection under the skin in the areas of the liposuction that has been
performed.  If the swelling gets
increasingly larger at these sites or there is redness, swelling and pain that
increases, it is very important that you see your operative physician to ascertain
whether it is fluid under the skin or a process called a seroma or small
amounts of blood, a process called a hematoma. 
Generally, a clinical examination by your operative plastic surgeon
and/or an ultrasound of the region can help determine this.

It is important that you are
wearing a compression garment 22 hours a day at this point and that you keep
very active to facilitate lymphatic and venous fluid flow throughout your
body.  I generally recommend drinking a
lot of water each day, with no restriction in walking and light activities.

Generally, between ten days and two
weeks, you’ll find that the swelling starts to come down significantly.  Continuing to wear a well-fitted compression
garment is important during this phase.

You well read online that many
physicians do not suture their incisions. 
However, there is no proof that leaving the sutures unsutured or sutured
contributes to less swelling and edema following liposuction surgery.

It is normal to have some degree of
bruising if you had more old-fashioned or traditional liposuction, such as
tumescent liposuction or a wet liposuction. 
The more modern techniques, such as VASER® lipo,
SmartLipo&trade; and BodyTite&trade; will have less bruising, but ultimately, bruising does go
away and I’m sure overall contour of the inner and outer thighs will be
excellent.

Remember to follow up closely with
your operative plastic surgeon’s office, as they are in the best position to
provide sound advice. Watch out for swelling of the
ankles and the calves, as this could be an early sign of deep venous thrombosis
and travel of this venous clot to the lungs can be life-threatening.  So, ensure that this is not part of your
postoperative symptomatology.

I hope this advice has been of some
assistance and best of luck.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Lori H. Saltz, MD (retired) · Answer

Swelling and bruising can be dramatic after liposuction.  Both can be helped with 2 or 3 lymphatic massages.  These are not painful if done by a trained massage therapist.  I have not had one patient who told me they were anything less than helpful in relieving the swelling and congestion in their tissues.  With your surgeon's permission you may want to try Epsom salt baths.  He/she may not want your incisions in a bath, yet so I would check first.  Your bruising is moving down because of gravity.  The swelling may do the same.  The bruising may take up to 4-6 weeks to completely resolve and the swelling will take several months so be patient.

How do you help alleviate edema after lipo?

Answers (8)

More Liposuction Questions

I'm 5'7, 200 lbs. I had liposuction all over and 5000 cc's was removed. How soon should I see results, and will it be drastic?

Liposuction 7 months ago. Now all of a sudden my stomach is saggy and has a few dimples. Why would this happen?

How bad will my breasts grow a year or two post Liposuction? (photo)

6 months post op Liposuction in abdomen and flanks. I developed fibrosis and lumps. Is this normal? (photos)

How can I remove a liposuction divot? (photo)

Is there anything I can do like Liposuction under my butt area to give more of a cuff? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS