How long does bruising last after arm liposuction?

Thanks for your inquiry.  Bruising can often take several weeks, or even longer in some cases, to completely subside.

Post-surgical bruising can last 2-4 weeks. In some cases longer.  Some people bruise more than others, and things such as high omega 3/ fish oil diet and some supplements and herbal remedies worsen bruising.  If you are concerned, speak to your surgeon.

The amount of bruising and swelling are usually technique dependent. Also, the bruising will likely change over time, but most of it should be resolved within two weeks. 

Understanding that there are always exceptions most patients have modest bruising after liposuction which is usually resolved within two weeks.

Usually bruising after liposuction improves after a week or two, but every patient is different. Good luck with your result.

Thanks for your question. Bruising and swelling diminishes within 1-2 weeks. Most patients are
able to return to work in a week and resume exercise in about four
weeks.To reduce swelling and help your body conform to its new contours, you
may be fitted with a compression garment which will be worn for
approximately four weeks.

Dear Lisaham,

Thank you for your clinical post. Bruising after liposuction can be minimized
with modern approaches to liposuction particularly the use of thermal energies
just prior to the aspiration. Thermal
energies are heat such as laser assisted liposuction or Smartlipo and radio
frequency assisted liposuction or BodyTite will allow the well trained
liposuction surgeon to coagulate the small little veins and arteries that may
ooze and bleed after the aspiration of the fat that contributes significantly
to bruising. The use of a thermal
coagulation can minimize bruising significantly. Once bruising has occurred its resolution
will depend on many factors including the extent of the bruising and your
peri-operative health, the use of Aspirin or anti-platelet drugs or medications
and the use of health food supplements such as Arnica Montana.

Once extensive bruising is entrenched and it is dark purple
or black it will take approximately one week to turn yellowish and green and
then another 1-2 weeks to completely resolve.
Depending on your skin type and pigment, the deposition of the breakdown
products of the bruise may lead to a slight degree of hyperpigmentation, which
may need some bleaching or intense pulse light to control.

Many patients and surgeons do believe that reducing the
dependents on Aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and
the addition of homeopathic medications such as Arnica Montana and Bromelain
(an extract from pineapple) can minimize a risk of bruising and hasten its
resolution.

Finally, mechanical massage with suction cup with radio
frequency energy can help disperse and break up the clotted tissue and
sometimes intense pulse light for superficial bruising can also breakup the
breakdown products of the hemoglobin.

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

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Most bruising from any trauma including liposuction takes about 3 weeks to resolve.  Bruising is from blood that is out of the blood vessels and in the tissues.  Your body reliably gets rid of that within 3 weeks, rarely in dependent areas it can last longer.