What Are Ways to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction?
Liposuction is a safe and effective way to eliminate excess fat nearly anywhere on your body. And while the recovery from liposuction is not as intense as recovery from other cosmetic procedures, one thing they all have in common is swelling after surgery. In this blog, we discuss why your body responds to liposuction with swelling, how long swelling will last post-surgery, and how you can help reduce swelling as you heal.
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Table of Contents
- Why Do I Have Swelling After Liposuction?
- Ways to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction
- What Makes Swelling Worse After Liposuction?
- How Long Does Swelling Last After Liposuction?
- Learn More About Liposuction in La Jolla
1. Why Do I Have Swelling After Liposuction?
Since improved body contours are usually a goal of anyone undergoing liposuction, it can be disconcerting to have swollen areas after the procedure. Swelling of any kind is your body’s response to trauma or injury. While you should objectively know liposuction is safe, your body views it as an injury and responds accordingly. The general anesthesia used during the procedure causes blood vessels to dilate and leak fluid. The motion of the cannula under the skin also damages the blood vessels, causing them to leak and create bruising. It takes time for your body to completely heal after liposuction, so while most of the swelling dissipates within a few weeks, it can take months before it is completely gone.
Swelling after liposuction is also common because of the tumescent fluid used during the procedure. Tumescent fluid is the saline solution containing a numbing agent and other helpful additives to assist in pain relief and loosening of the fat from the surrounding tissues. Your body eventually absorbs the excess fluid, but until it does, there will be some swelling.
The amount of swelling you have after liposuction depends on several factors, including:
- Extent of the Procedure: If you have liposuction in a large area of your body or more than one area, you will likely experience more swelling.
- Treatment Areas: Some areas tend to retain more fluid than others. For example, if you get liposuction around your abdominal area, you will probably see more swelling than you would in other areas of the body.
- Your Individual Healing Response: While everyone will experience swelling after liposuction, not everyone will have the same degree of swelling or heal in the same amount of time.
2. Top Ways to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction
Anti-inflammatory Medications and Cold Compresses
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen (once the doctor has cleared you to take these) can help reduce swelling as well as minimize any discomfort after liposuction. Applying gentle cold compresses to the treatment area will also help with swelling and pain.
Wear Compression Garments
After liposuction, your surgeon will likely have you wear compression garments for the first few weeks of your recovery. Compression garments not only help shape and support your newly slimmer figure but also encourage circulation and reduce swelling.
Keep Treatment Areas Elevated
Elevating the areas where you received liposuction is an excellent way to minimize swelling. Elevation promotes drainage of the excess fluid in your body, so ensuring the affected areas are propped up can help ease swelling.
Rest and Relax
Rest is a crucial component of recovery, as it gives your body the energy it needs to heal. Managing stress can also help with healing, so try deep breathing or meditation to further reduce inflammation in your body.
Engage in Gentle Movement
As you recover, you are encouraged to engage in gentle movement, especially walking. Movement helps boost blood flow, which in turn keeps other fluids in your body circulating and reduces swelling. Your surgeon will give you instructions on when you can increase your activity, so be sure to take it slow until you’re cleared by your provider.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is important at all times, but especially during liposuction recovery. Staying adequately hydrated helps keep your lymphatic system moving and flushes out excess fluid.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Speaking of the lymphatic system, another excellent way to minimize swelling is lymphatic drainage massage. This type of massage is designed to stimulate the lymphatic system to help move fluid and other toxins out of your body. It is essential that you check with your surgeon before undergoing lymphatic massage, and make sure that you see a specialized massage therapist who is experienced in post-surgical lymphatic drainage techniques. Always clear this treatment in advance with your surgeon.
3. What Makes Swelling Worse After Liposuction?
Overdoing it During Recovery
While movement after surgery is encouraged to promote healing, overdoing it can have the opposite effect. Your surgeon will provide instructions on when you can increase your activity, and it is essential to follow them. Doing too much too soon may cause more swelling and inflammation in your healing cells.
Infection
While the risk of infection after liposuction is typically low, it still exists. One indication of infection is increased swelling in the treatment area.
High Sodium Intake
Most people know that when they overdo their salt intake, they notice puffiness in their face or hands the next day. Eating too much salt during your recovery from liposuction will exacerbate your swelling by causing your body to retain excess water.
4. How Long Does Swelling Last After Liposuction?
You will see the most significant swelling immediately after your liposuction procedure as your body’s inflammatory healing response kicks in. Swelling will begin to decrease within a week and continue to dissipate over time. About 70% of the swelling should subside within the first month after liposuction surgery, though it may take up to six months or more for all of the swelling to disappear completely.
5. Learn More About Liposuction in La Jolla
When you’re ready to discover all of the advantages liposuction has to offer, call Dr. Larry Pollack. His skill and expertise in performing liposuction and other body contouring procedures ensures that you will receive the stunning results you’re looking for and the high-quality care you expect. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 858-450-9100 or complete the online contact form.