How Much Swelling Will I Have After Liposuction?

If you’re considering liposuction but are concerned about the side effects, such as swelling after lipo treatment, it’s crucial to find a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. James Fernau. He performs SafeLipo™, a procedure in a way that minimizes aftereffects.

Patients at Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa near Pittsburgh, PA can benefit from choosing from multiple techniques for the smoothest, most consistent results with the least possible downtime and disruption.

Keep reading to learn more about what happens after liposuction, including how much swelling you may experience.

Getting the best liposuction results

There are many liposuction techniques, but Dr. Fernau uses SafeLipo to ensure patients get smooth, consistent results and the procedure does not damage the blood supply.

SafeLipo is performed in a way that avoids trauma to the blood vessels. The technique uses fat Separation, fat Aspiration, and Fat Equalization, and works by separating fat first using vibrational technology. By removing the use of thermal methods, which heat the fat and may damage the surrounding area (the technique used in laser liposuction), SafeLipo requires much less suction to aspirate the fat and remove it from the body. It also involves a contouring procedure that leaves you with more consistent results.

How much fat is removed during liposuction?

Typically, liposuction will not remove more than ten pounds of fat during a procedure. More than that can jeopardize the safety of a patient.

Liposuction is not designed primarily as a weight loss surgery but rather for removing stubborn fat pockets from patients already near their goal weight who want a more sculpted look.

Obese patients are not good candidates for liposuction because the procedure can only remove subcutaneous fat, which is the excess fat (or “flab”) near the skin's surface. If you are overweight, you likely have visceral fat around your organs, and liposuction does not target that type of fat.

Swelling after liposuction

Swelling is a natural process that takes place after any trauma to the body. This normal reaction will occur after any liposuction treatment, including the SafeLipo technique.

Patients will often wear a compression garment to contain swelling depending on the part of the body treated with liposuction and how extensive the fat removal is. Nearly all patients can expect to see swelling in the area that peaks about 48 hours after treatment. Compression garments may be worn up to three weeks after the procedure, and any accompanying pain may be alleviated with pain relievers prescribed by Dr. Fernau.

While swelling is usually the worst in the 2 – 3 days following treatment, it should start to subside after that. However, the area will likely be swollen for up to three weeks. Normal activities can typically be resumed after around ten days, depending on the extent of the procedure. If you overexert yourself too soon, you can expect to see more swelling that can last longer and prolong the healing process.

Healing from liposuction

You will likely be able to return to work a few days after liposuction but refrain from strenuous exercise and exposure of the area to sunlight for 4 – 6 weeks.

Some small amount of swelling may return from time to time over the months following liposuction as the body continues to heal and move toward its final results. This is usually not a cause for concern if the swelling is minimal. However, you should mention it in follow-ups with Dr. Fernau.

Liposuction in Coraopolis, PA

If you’re looking to get rid of those stubborn final pounds or sculpt your flanks, waist, hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, or legs, schedule a consultation at Accent on Body Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa. Dr. James Fernau can discuss one of the many lipo treatment options, including SafeLipo, Tumescent liposuction, Aqualipo®, ultrasound, and laser-assisted liposuction.