“Three months after Liposuction is generally when patients begin to notice that the treated areas of their body appear tighter and smoother,” explains Dr. Philbin. “Your plastic surgeon will advise you on what level of exercise and strenuous movements are now ok at this time.
Though you are probably anxious to see your final results immediately after getting liposuction, swelling can take several months to diminish. So don't feel discouraged if you still see signs of residual swelling months after your procedure — this is to be expected and should continue to improve over time.
Skin contraction
The amount of time it takes for the swelling to subside and skin to retract varies by patient. Some patients are able to see their final results three to six months after surgery; others observe the results continuing to improve for a year.
Around the four-month mark, the treated areas should be trimmer, tighter and less bulky. “Again, it depends on the areas being done, how much fat is being removed and the patient's inherent skin tone,” says Dr. Russo. “Younger patients with good skin elasticity always do better.”
As swelling and bruising heal, you'll see your results improve, and you should be able to begin walking around your neighborhood and getting light exercise. By six weeks, your liposuction recovery should come to an end and your activity levels should be back to normal.
At 10 weeks all patients have some swelling of the abdomen. The larger the patient the more significant this will be. As long as the overall trend is favorable there's nothing to worry about.
The area will probably be bruised and swollen for at least 10 to 14 days. You will be able to return to your normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable. This may take several days to a few weeks. Most people can return to light work within a few days.
1-2 weeks after the liposuction operation, the swelling in the area transforms into a hardness that lasts for 3 months on average. In fact, this hardness is an indication of the recovery of the treated areas. The hardness softens over time, and the excess fluid and swelling disappear.
By the end of 4 weeks, parts of the operated swollen areas start to soften in patches until the entire area shows a consistent softening by the end of 6-8 weeks. Depending on the extensiveness of the operated area, the tissues tend to return to a normal pliant feel by 3 months after the procedure.
Swelling reaches a plateau at 48 to 72 hours after liposuction surgery and persists at peak levels for several days. During the first week after liposuction surgery, you will notice that your clothes are tight and that you have gained weight due to fluid retention. This is normal.
Answer: Liposuction is not weight removal
Part of that fat that was removed was injected fluid and water in the fat cells. The water you drink will replace some of the water in the cells in the tissue. I tell my patients you will look different, but your weight will stay the same.
Swelling: Some patients find they look bigger after liposuction than they did before. If this happens to you, don't worry. Liposuction can remove pounds of fat, but right after the procedure, fluid retention and swelling are typical. These post-surgical effects are temporary and usually resolve within a few weeks.
Answer: Lymphatic Drainage Massages
Initial stiffness and soreness is normal and can last for several weeks. As soon as you're up for it you should start Lymphatic Drainage Massages for the areas that were liposuctioned. The buttocks can also be gently massaged to increase blood supply and smooth out your result.
If lumps and bumps do develop, chances are they will diminish over time as your body heals. If they remain after a few months, there are some things that help minimize and eliminate the bumps. Some options can include massage, such as manual lymphatic drainage therapy, and laser skin tightening.
Swelling is a normal and temporary part of healing after liposuction. The bulk of swelling will go down within a few weeks of your procedure to reveal a slimmer and more toned appearance. Some degree of residual swelling and fluid retention can remain after that, obscuring final results for months.
“Many people during the course of normal recovery develop a certain hardness, stiffness and lumpiness,” Dr. Popp said. “But that's not a skin issue. It's the fat space traumatized by the liposuction.
A general recommendation is to have three to five massage treatments, but some patients may experience benefits from as few as one to two treatments. Your cosmetic surgeon can advise you as to whether lymphatic massage will benefit you following your liposuction or other surgical procedure.
Answer: Abdominal crease post lipo
As the others have stated, it is likely due to compression binder and/or natural sitting position that creates that crease due to the skin being separated from the abdominal wall that liposuction causes.
Fat will not return (and ideal results will remain intact) if the patient maintains their "post-lipo weight." For example, if a patient weighed 130 pounds prior liposuction and had a total of 6 pounds removed through the procedure, fat will stay away if the patient maintains their weight at or below 124 pounds.
While liposuction can do a lot to sculpt the body, one thing it cannot do is tighten the skin. This is an important aspect of body contouring because, without adequate consideration and planning, a person's skin may look loose and saggy after their liposuction procedure.
Here are the signs to look for with a botched liposuction procedure: Saggy skin. Uneven areas that are lumpy even to the touch or do not look smooth in texture. Skin that is discolored longer than the initial recovery time (outside of possible bruising which eventually goes away)
Compression garments help keep swelling down and work to eliminate bruising at a faster rate. Compression garments assist loose skin in retracting and tightening after liposuction. The amount of fat removed will determine how long compression garments should be worn post-liposuction.
Ultimately, the most you can lose with liposuction is likely to be about two dress sizes, which is a significant change. This is why so many patients in The Woodlands choose liposuction to help enhance their body shape.