Will I look smaller right after having lipo performed?

Question

I am having abdominal and flank liposuction performed and I'm aware of the swelling that appears after surgery and lasts about 4 months (is that right?). My question is, does that mean I will actually look bigger before looking smaller? I'm starting to get a bit nervous...

Leonard Lu, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sometimes reduction can be seen directly after treatment but for optimal results it typically take about 3-6 months for the swelling to dissipate. Dr. Leonard Lu

Steven L. Ringler, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The amount of swelling that occurs after liposuction is highly variable deepening on the amount of fat that is removed and also on the liposuction technique that is used. You will not look bigger before looking smaller for 4 months.  There is some swelling following surgery, but it will not last for 4 months.  You most likely will see a significant improvement in your body contour.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction for best results.

Renuka Diwan, MD · Answer

Yes, you will look smaller immediately after the procedure. However, as swelling appears you will most likely look close to the same size, or a little smaller. The swelling disappears in 3 months after the tumescent technique as there is less trauma to the tissues during the procedure. Don't expect to wear smaller clothes right away. If you are searching for a liposuction surgeon, I recommend finding a board-certified dermatologic surgeon trained in the tumescent technique of liposuction.

Jonathan S. Jacobs, MD, DMD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Some swelling may persist, usually not for 4 months but a remarkably improvement should be seen within a week or so.

Carlos Burnett, MD, FACS · Answer

It's not unheard of that a patient will look larger after a liposuction procedure and swelling persists for 6 months. Generally speaking , you will look smaller a few days after surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Yes, you may look  bit bigger until the swelling subsides. And yes, it can tel 4-6 months for it to resolve completely.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

The swelling after liposuction does last quite a few months. What results you see immediately, however, depends on the problem before the liposuction. If you are treating a minimal problem and removing only a small amount of fat, then you may not see any dramatic results for a while. If, however, you are treating a larger area of fat. you should see a significant difference immediately with the final result (what was present at surgery, present at 3-6 months. No one actually looks larger after the procedure than before, just larger than you will look.

Will I look smaller right after having lipo performed?

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