3 Weeks After the Liposuction, Shouldn't I Be Seeing Some Improvement By This Time? (Photos)

The discussion can be had as to whether you even needed it in the first place, be since you already did….to be very honest with you… 325cc removed from each leg on a 70kg woman is not very much at all….Yes you should wait and give it more time….but…….my guess, and it’s only a guess, is that you will see very,very modest results….Let us know!!!

Thank you for submitting your questions and photos.  In only 3 weeks after surgery, you have a noticable result. Swelling  after liposuction will last for many weeks after surgery.  80% of your final result will be seen in more like 3 months, ( not 3 weeks). Final results take 6-12 months. Continue to use your contour garment, minimize activities, and lymphatic massage help with the swelling. Discuss your concerns with your Plastic surgeon.

Hi,

750cc is not much. I'm afraid you will not see much of a difference in the upcoming weeks. Although, your surgeon was extremely conservative; he did a nice job. I can't see any dents or irregularities from your pics.

Dr. H

We usually tell our patients to wait 4-6 months before they see 80% of their results as the skin needs time to retract. Some patients remark seeing some results after a month or so when the swelling goes down but it differs with each patient.

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.

Based on your pictures(particularly the side view) it is clear that you do have improvement in your leg contour.  weeks post-op there is still a significant amount of swelling present and with time (about 3 months) you will see a notable difference than you see now.  Your surgeon did a nice job and was relatively conservative with the amount of fat removed.  If he/she was too aggressive you may have developed dents and grooves.  Overall, you have a nice result and in 3-6 months you and your surgeon can review your results with confidence as the swelling will be gone.  Best Wishes!!!

tumescent solution implies that 2cc of fluid was placed for every one cc suctioned. of that 750 some was tumescent solution so it appears that your procedure was probably more like 300-500 cc of fat removed. that's not a lot based on your photos. there will be some further improvement with time but I would guess more could be done. having said that, diet and exercise should be a good choice for you. good luck

Nice result based upon the posted photos and history. Your realistic expectations are faulty, sorry. This issue should have been discussed in your pre operative visit. You and your chosen surgeon were not oin the same page. But your result is very acceptable. 

I don't know about 80% of the results in 3 weeks.  3 weeks is still very early after liposuction.  I tell my patients not to look at their results for at least 3 months after liposuction, and final results are not evident for 9-12 months.  I would tell you, based on your photos, that your surgeon did a very nice job. 

everyone is different. i don't agree with your surgeon that said you will see 80% of your results in 3 weeks. i think that is totally wrong. With Smartlipo, you will continue to improve for 6 months. you will definitely have swelling initially. the tightening from the laser will continue for 6 months. sometimes you can see a difference within 2 weeks but i have also seen it take 6-8 weeks before you start to see a difference. the main thing to remember is that you will improve for 6 months. also that you can enhance your final result by better dieting and increased exercising. i view it as a partnership with my patients.david berman md