If you’re planning stomach liposuction, you’re probably aware that you’ll have some swelling afterward. It’s true to say, though, that some patients don’t realize quite how much swelling they may experience. Stomach lipo recovery is shorter and more manageable than recovery from a tummy tuck. Yet, it still involves some downtime, and you need to know what you’ll experience. The swelling after stomach lipo can last for months. In fact, you may not see the actual outcome of your procedure for up to six months or even longer. So that you can have realistic expectations, here is a timeline of post-stomach lipo swelling.
Why Will I Have Swelling After Liposuction?
Swelling occurs after undergoing any type of surgery, and liposuction is no exception. Swelling occurs due to inflammation as the tissues try to heal. After lipo, the stomach swells as it becomes inflamed during the healing process.
Liposuction causes swelling for a second reason too. Lipo involves the movement of cannulas under the skin, creating tunnels. These tunnels fill up with fluid which causes swelling. Eventually, the swelling subsides, and the skin returns to its normal appearance.
Also Read: How Much Swelling Is Normal After Belly Liposuction?
Will I Have Swelling Immediately After Lipo?
Immediately after your lipo procedure, you’ll probably see some swelling. But the swelling won’t have reached its greatest extent at that point. Immediately after surgery, your surgeon will put you into a compression garment. As you’ll be wearing this garment, you may not notice the swelling right away.
When Will The Swelling Be At Its Peak?
After three to five days following your procedure, you’ll probably experience maximum swelling. You may be worried that you look worse than you did before surgery. But don’t worry. The swelling will eventually subside! You must make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions and wear your compression garment to minimize swelling.
Two To Four Weeks Post-Surgery
After a couple of weeks, you’ll start seeing some significant improvements. At this time, your surgeon will probably advise that you can return to work and normal activities. You must still avoid strenuous exercise, though. You will still notice swelling between two and four weeks after your procedure. You’ll probably notice that it has gone down a little, though. You’ll also notice that the swelling becomes firmer as the area heals. The swelling associated with bruising will have gone by this point. Nevertheless, it’s important to continue following your surgeon’s instructions. You should still wear your compression garment as prescribed to promote good healing.
Four To Six Weeks After Surgery
Once you reach the four to six week point after your procedure, you should be well on the road to recovery. Your surgeon may advise you to stop wearing your compression garment so frequently. You will then be able to see any remaining swelling clearly. There will still be some swelling in your stomach, but it will be less obvious. You should also now begin to see the outcome of the surgery. Your stomach should be noticeably slimmer and more contoured. The areas that remain swollen and firm will return gradually to normal consistency.
Between Three And Six Months Post-Surgery
By the time three to six months have passed, the final result of your surgery should be visible. All the remaining swelling should have gone completely. The area should also feel normal to the touch with no residual firmness. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you should see your new body shape clearly. You should see that your stomach is slimmer, flatter, and more toned-looking.
Are There Any Steps To Take To Minimize Swelling?
It’s important to realize that some swelling after stomach lipo is normal, so you will certainly experience it. Swelling doesn’t mean that anything went wrong with your procedure. It just means that you need to wait and follow your surgeon’s instructions. Patience is essential with any type of cosmetic surgery!
There are some things you can do to minimize the swelling post-surgery, though. Here are a few of our top tips:
- Wear your compression garment as your surgeon prescribes. At first, you’ll need to wear it all the time, both night and day, unless you’re showering. Eventually, your surgeon will advise you to reduce the length of time you wear it. You should always listen to your surgeon and follow their instructions.
- Immediately after your procedure, you should rest for a couple of days. After that, it’s essential to take some gentle exercise to stimulate good blood flow around the body.
- Minimize your salt intake, as this will also help to minimize swelling caused by water retention.
- Stay well hydrated as drinking more water helps to flush toxins from your system and minimize swelling.
- Apply cold compresses to swollen areas as this helps to reduce the swelling.
- Take any medication that your doctor prescribes.
- Eat healthily after your surgery to maintain a healthy weight.
- Choose a skilled surgeon. An experienced surgeon like Dr. Su at ArtLipo will produce the very best result for you.
Dr. Thomas Su, is the owner and cosmetic surgeon of Artistic Lipo. He has led our full-time clinic specializing in awake-only liposuction since 2007. Dr. Su began his medical career in internal medicine, practicing that until 2005, when he began to provide a full spectrum of non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
