Liposuction Results Week by Week: What to Expect

Recent surveys indicate that liposuction ranks among the most sought-after plastic surgeries in the United States, with over 250,000 procedures performed in 2018. If you’re considering liposuction, you’ll be joining a large group of individuals who have expressed interest in this procedure.

The Lipo 360 procedure and traditional liposuction have been established for several decades as safe and effective methods for eliminating stubborn fat deposits that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. However, it’s important to bear in mind that liposuction is still a surgical procedure, and understanding the recovery process is crucial.

Being well-informed about what to anticipate during the recovery phase can help manage expectations and facilitate a smoother recuperation. To gain further insights into the recovery journey, including the expected progress at the three-week mark following your liposuction results, continue reading below.

Liposuction Surgery: Results week by week

So you want liposuction, but how is the procedure performed? First, remember there are several types, but tumescent liposuction is the most common.  Here is how liposuction works.

Tumescent liposuction involves making small incisions in the target area, such as the abdomen or outer legs. The surgeon then inserts a thin cannula that injects lidocaine and epinephrine to reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding.

Next, the plastic surgeon inserts another cannula that sucks out the excess fat and fluid. The incisions are closed and the patient is sent to the recovery area.

You will be groggy for most of the day as you wake up from general anesthesia, so you will need a friend or family member to drive you home.

Note: If you have sagging loose skin anywhere in the abdomen, you may need a tummy tuck as well as liposuction. Also consider other procedures, such as a Brazilian butt lift; this rear-enhancing surgery uses fat transfer to give you a larger, shapelier rear.

Liposuction Procedure Overview

Lipo procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, so you can probably go home that day. But if you have fat removed from several areas, you may need to stay overnight.

After liposuction, plastic surgery, you will be tired and sore, but don’t worry: That won’t last long.

LIPOSUCTION Results week by week: 3 DAYS AFTER LIPOSUCTION

The plastic surgeon will provide you with a compression garment to put around your body to shape the treatment area. For example, someone who has liposuction on their abdomen will have the compression garment wrapped around their midsection.

It’s important to wear your compression garments for several weeks after the procedure. It helps to press the skin against your slimmer profile to reduce swelling, and it also reduces swelling and bleeding.

The surgeon may also insert drains into your liposuction surgery incisions. These will drain fluid so it doesn’t build up at the incision sites, which can affect the healing process. If your surgeon puts in drains, they’ll tell you how to keep them clean and when they will remove them.

During this phase of the recovery, you will have moderate discomfort and soreness, liposuction scars, but it can be managed with prescription or over-the-counter pain medication and gels for the scars. Abdominal soreness a few weeks after liposuction feels similar to the next day after an intense ab workout.

If the surgeon gives you a prescription, remember to fill it before surgery so it’s available when you need it. You also should take it easy during the first three days and don’t lift anything heavy. This includes small children, so ask for help with the little ones if you need it.

1-2 WEEKS AFTER LIPOSUCTION SURGERY

The liposuction recovery timeline can vary, but after a few days of soreness and rest, you should notice a major reduction in pain at this point. Most people can return to work at the 1-2 week mark, but if you have a physically demanding job, you may need more time off.

You will need to keep wearing your compression garment all the time, except for showering.

3-5 WEEKS AFTER RECOVERY

You can expect at the liposuction 3 weeks post op to no longer have pain or soreness in the treated area. There still may be some swelling, but this is to be expected. The swelling can take three to six months to completely go away.

After four weeks, you should be able to engage in moderate physical activity, such as light jogging or biking. But you still shouldn’t lift a lot of weight at this time.

6 Weeks + After Liposuction

After six weeks, most swelling and bruising should be gone, but some patients may still have minor swelling.

You probably can discard your compression garment at this time, but check with your surgeon. And you can usually return to more vigorous workouts, including weightlifting.

Most patients see their final results after six weeks, but don’t worry if yours takes longer.

HOW TO SPEED UP RECOVERY

Liposuction recovery takes time, but there are a few things you can do to potentially speed it up:

Eat A Healthy Diet

Even if you are in perfect health, any surgery takes a toll on the body’s natural healing process. Quick healing means good nutrition that includes a lot of lean protein, fruits, and vegetables. It helps to have meals made before surgery so you can just warm them up for the first week.

Eating to maintain a healthy diet will speed up your recovery and reduce inflammation.

Drink Water

It’s always important to drink six to eight glasses of water per day, but it’s even more critical after liposuction. Drinking water helps to flush toxins from fat cells in the body and also speeds up recovery.

Get Rest

Take it easy for the first week and get a lot of sleep so your body can heal. However, it helps to take a daily walk as soon as you feel up to it, which increases circulation.

Ask For Assistance

After liposuction, you will be tired and sore, so it’s important to ask for help with errands and caring for children. You also may need someone to drive the kids around for a week or two.

Before surgery, ask a friend or family member to be available if you need assistance.

Liposuction is safe and effective, and most patients are delighted with the results. Knowing what the full recovery period will be like and how to speed it up will ensure everything will go well.

Questions and Answers For Liposuction Procedure

Why do I look bigger 3 weeks after lipo?

Swelling: It is not uncommon for certain patients to experience a temporary increase in size following liposuction, compared to their pre-surgical appearance.

If you encounter this situation, there’s no need to be alarmed. Liposuction effectively eliminates pounds of fat; however, immediately after the procedure, it is typical to experience fluid retention and swelling. Fortunately, these post-surgical effects are transient in nature and typically subside within a few weeks.

What happens 2 weeks after liposuction photos?

Around 1 to 2 weeks after your procedure, the initial swelling will transition into a firmness that might endure for approximately 3 months post-treatment. At the 2-week mark, you will still experience noticeable swelling, though any bruising that was present should be showing improvement by this point.

You should be feeling significantly better overall compared to the first week, though some patients may experience itching in the skin from both the compression garment and from nerves beginning to reactivate.

Why do I weigh more 6 weeks after liposuction?

Nevertheless, it remains possible to gain weight even after undergoing liposuction since fat can be deposited into untreated fat cells. There are several key reasons why you might weigh more at the 6-week mark.

Fluid retention and swelling can contribute to temporary weight gain as part of the normal healing process, and this swelling typically subsides within a few weeks to months. Some individuals mistake this temporary weight gain for actual fat gain, especially if they aren’t aware of the typical recovery process.

How long does it take skin to tighten after liposuction?

Skin tightening after liposuction is a gradual process that varies from patient to patient, but generally takes between 4 to 6 months to see significant results, with final outcomes visible up to a year post-procedure. The timeline depends on several key factors, including your age, skin elasticity, the amount of excess fat cells removed, and your overall health.

During the initial recovery process, most swelling subsides within the first 2 weeks, though you may notice loose skin in treated areas, which is completely normal. By 6 weeks, you should see body contours approaching 80-90% of your final results, with more noticeable skin tightening occurring between 3-6 months as your body’s natural healing process continues.

Your recovery process is significantly impacted by age and natural skin elasticity, as younger patients with higher collagen content typically see faster results. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for optimal skin tightening through following a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, staying well-hydrated, and avoiding smoking to significantly improve your skin’s elasticity and healing capacity.

How can I maximize my liposuction procedure results?

Maximizing your liposuction procedure results requires strict adherence to post-operative care instructions and patience throughout healing. Follow your surgeon’s guidelines for wearing compression garments to reduce residual swelling and promote skin contraction. Take pain medication as prescribed while avoiding blood-thinning substances.

Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to support healing. Engage in light walking as recommended by your plastic surgery team to improve circulation. Remember that final results won’t be visible until 6-12 months post op liposuction due to ongoing tissue healing.

REQUEST A HOUSTON LIPOSUCTION CONSULTATION

Interested in liposuction in Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of liposuction and determine if this procedure is a fit for you.

References

Liposuction Recovery – What To Expect. (2021). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction-recovery

What You Need To Know About Your Liposuction Recovery. (2020). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-liposuction-recovery

Liposuction At 3 Weeks. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.realself.com/questions/liposuction/3-weeks-post-op