When you have tried diet and exercise but still battle with troublesome areas of fat, liposuction may be the answer for you. As a minimally invasive procedure, liposuction targets unwanted fat cells from stubborn areas such as the abdomen, arms, thighs and back. While you may experience initial improvements following the procedure, you won’t see your true results for a few months. Let’s look at what happens after your lipo procedure.
Liposuction Results Take Time
Following your liposuction procedure, you will likely see an immediate reduction of fat. Keep in mind, however, that some amount of swelling will naturally occur as part of the healing process. This swelling can mask your ultimate results. Though recovery times are different, and no 2 people follow the same liposuction results timeline, this swelling and bruising typically lasts for at least 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure. Minor swelling can continue for up to a year. This means that you could continue to see slight changes over the next several months.
Lipo Techniques Can Affect Your Timeline
Surgical techniques used for your liposuction procedure can also affect the time it takes before seeing results. For instance, a surgical technique called VASER® LipoSelection® uses ultrasound energy to “melt” the fat before removal and can result in less bruising and swelling.
If you have your liposuction with another procedure, such as a tummy tuck or mommy makeover, it may be a little longer before you see your final results. Additional procedures can contribute to increased swelling and longer recovery times. But in the end, great results are worth the wait.
Author Bio
Dr. Eric Mariotti is a board-certified plastic surgeon who serves women and men throughout the East Bay from his office in Concord. In addition to being a highly trained and experienced plastic surgeon, he offers nonsurgical cosmetic treatments through MSpa, his branded medical spa.