When Will My Skin Feel Normal After Liposuction

In most cases, liposuction is an outpatient procedure performed with general anesthesia. This means you will go home within a few hours after surgery, but you will feel groggy or a bit “out of it” for a day or so. This also means you’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home from your procedure and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Soreness and bruising typically peak about 3 to 5 days post-op and then begin to diminish more each day.

In this guide, we find out When Will My Skin Feel Normal After Liposuction, liposuction swelling timeline, what not to do after liposuction, and how long does it take for your skin to tighten after lipo.

My patients go home with a compression garment over their bandages, which provides support and protection, helps decrease swelling, and encourages better long-term liposuction results. Compression should be worn for at least 2 weeks, except when showering.

Most plastic surgeons like to see their patients a few days after their procedure to make sure everything is going well and change the dressings over the incision sites. I also urge my patients to get up and take short, frequent walks as soon as possible after surgery—this reduces risk of blood clots, alleviates stiffness, and will help you feel better faster.

When can I shower after liposuction?

Most patients receive the much-welcome green light to shower within 2 to 3 days after liposuction. However, this means shower only, not bathing—while incisions close quickly, they are still vulnerable to infection if submerged in a bath, hot tub or any body of water.

Weeks 1 to 2 post-op: back to work and most social activities

If you have a desk job, you’ll probably be ready to return to work within one week after liposuction. More physical jobs will require more time off to avoid straining your incision sites, which can lead to bleeding or suboptimal results. Your plastic surgeon will give you a specific “back to work” timeframe based on your individual procedure and the type of work you do.

When will swelling go down after liposuction?

By the 2-week mark, soreness is usually reduced to a minor annoyance, and swelling is receding noticeably. Most patients no longer need prescription pain medication after the first 3 to 7 days, if they need it at all. DO NOT DRIVE until you have finished taking prescription pain meds (and it is probably best not to try and work until then, either).

Weeks 3 to 4 post-op: getting back in the swing of things (with slimmer body contours!)

After about 3 weeks, as long as your plastic surgeon feels your recovery is going well, you can can expect most activity restrictions to be lifted. You may still need to wear your compression garment at night or while participating in physical activities—many patients actually prefer wearing compression as they ease into their exercise routines for support.

Post-op soreness and bruising are typically almost gone by one month post-op, and swelling should be dramatically reduced—your new, slimmer body contours are taking shape, and while results won’t be final for a couple more months, they’re pretty close!

How long before I can exercise after having liposuction?

Time off from exercise depends on the type of activity you want to do, but there’s one universal rule: you must start back slowly! When you resume any activity, start back at 50% effort or less at first, and gradually increase duration and intensity over several weeks or months. Also, avoid any activity that hurts or strains your incision sites. While you may look and feel fantastic by now, your body is still healing. Be patient—you won’t lose too much fitness.

For activities such as hiking, cycling, or yoga, most patients can safely ease back in at about 3 weeks. Your plastic surgeon may have you wait a few extra weeks before returning to intense sports such as Crossfit, obstacle course racing, or martial arts. Swimming, while low impact, presents a risk of infection to healing incisions, so stay out of the pool for 4 to 6 weeks.

About 3 months post-op: life’s back to normal and results are close to final

By the 12-week mark, “feelable” effects of surgery such as soreness, tightness and numbness are normally gone, and patients are back in full swing with physical activities. Scars are also becoming thinner and less conspicuous, but may stay pink for up to a year. Also, this is the point where swelling is mostly gone and results are usually so close to final that the only people who will notice further changes are you and your plastic surgeon. In other words, it’s now safe to invest in wardrobe upgrades to show off your improved shape.

6 months post-op: you’ve reached the finish line!

With most liposuction patients, residual swelling is gone and scars are significantly faded by their 6-month anniversary after surgery. Now it’s up to you to ensure your new shape lasts. While liposuction removes fat cells, and treated areas will be less inclined to put on fat than before, you can still gain weight after liposuction. You are just likely to put it on in a different pattern.

When Will My Skin Feel Normal After Liposuction

Envisioning the results you will achieve with plastic surgery can be exciting! The anticipation of Liposuction surgery outcomes can make patients especially eager because your results can open up a whole new world of wardrobe options and body confidence. If you are considering Liposuction surgery, here is an overview of the recovery process, when you may see visible results, and what to expect during the weeks following your surgery.

“Patients get really excited about when they’ll start seeing their results after Liposuction surgery,” says Dr. Michael Philbin, a board-certified plastic surgeon and partner at Edina Plastic Surgery. “Guess what? Your plastic surgeon gets excited too,” he laughs. “But, it’s important for us all to be patient, respect the recovery process, and understand that it is a bit different for everyone. When we see celebrities, like Amy Schumer, getting Liposuction and then posting swimsuit pictures on Instagram a short time later, it can make a patient anxious for their results to set in sooner. But every BODY is different and the best result will stem from a recovery that makes a patient’s health and safety the top priority….NOT speed.”

Understanding the Steps of Liposuction Surgery

The process of Liposuction typically begins with the administration of anesthesia. After that, a small incision is made near whatever body areas are being treated. This could be one or multiple points of entry, but your plastic surgeon will do their best to ensure that as few cuts are made as possible and as hidden and discreet as possible. Then, a small cannula will be inserted into the incisions and moved around to dislodge fat in the surrounding area. The tube has a suction tip at the end of it, which will pull the fat out of the body. The incisions are then closed, and you will begin your recovery.

The Liposuction Recovery Process

“Once your Liposuction surgery has been completed, you will immediately be dressed in compression garments to reduce swelling,” explains Dr. Philbin. “It is normal to experience some bruising, redness, tenderness, soreness, itchiness, and discomfort. Most of our patients cope well with over-the-counter pain medications after Liposuction, but prescription medications are available to those who need them.”

Swelling After Liposuction Surgery

The body areas where your plastic surgeon removed fat will be swollen after Liposuction surgery. It can take several months for this swelling to subside completely, but it will reduce significantly with each passing week as your body recovers. Expect to wear compression garments during this time to reduce swelling further.

How Soon After Liposuction Surgery Will I See Results?

“Like any surgery, it takes time for visual results to set in after Liposuction,” says Dr. Philbin. “This rate will vary from patient to patient and can be influenced by genetics, skin quality, diet, water consumption, and whether you had other procedures performed during your surgery, like a Tummy Tuck. That being said, most patients begin to see the visible result of their Liposuction procedure about eight to twelve weeks after surgery with continued improvements up to six months.”

Liposuction Surgery Results Weekly Timeline

24 Hours After Liposuction Surgery

The first day after surgery, expect to feel sore. Pain medication may be utilized at this time to ease discomfort. It is imperative to follow your surgeon’s post-care instructions and rest as much as possible. Compression garments can be a little uncomfortable at this time. Avoid unnecessary movement and lean on family and friends to assist you at this time.

48 Hours After Liposuction Surgery

“The first 72 hours after Liposuction surgery can feel like a blur,” explains Dr. Philbin. “Your priority during these first three days is rest, hydration, and minimal activity. This is why during your initial consultation, your surgeon will stress having your support network and home prepared before surgery so you won’t have to deal with any additional stress during recovery.”

The First Week After Liposuction Surgery

Congratulations! Once you’re a week out from Liposuction surgery, you’re over the most challenging part of recovery. Much of the discomfort of days 1-3 should have subsided, and you can decrease prescription pain medications and increase your physical activity by walking around your home or briefly outdoors.

The First Month After Liposuction Surgery

“Most patients have minimal discomfort 4-5 weeks after Liposuction surgery,” says Dr. Philbin. “There will still be some residual swelling, but you should be able to start seeing some of your procedure’s initial results. Bruising may still be present around incision sites, but it should be quite faded. 2-4 weeks post-surgery is also when many people fully return to work and start light exercise again under the supervision of their surgeon.”

3 Months After Liposuction Surgery

Ready to see your Liposuction results? Most people have a clear view of their outcome between six to twelve weeks after surgery. There may still be slight swelling, but it should not be significant enough for you not to appreciate the positive changes in your body.

“Three months after Liposuction is generally when patients begin to notice that the treated areas of their body appear tighter and smoother,” explains Dr. Philbin. “Your plastic surgeon will advise you on what level of exercise and strenuous movements are now ok at this time. Scars from your incisions will have faded and should be barely noticeable and easy to hide. In essence, it will feel like things are getting back to normal, but with some wonderful improvements to your body!”

How Do I Maintain My Liposuction Results?

Plastic surgery is an investment. There are several ways you can maintain and even enhance your results during the months and years that follow your Liposuction surgery.

“The better you take care of yourself and your body after Liposuction, the longer you can enjoy your results,” advises Dr. Philbin. “While Liposuction removes fat deposits from specific areas of your body, it cannot prevent future fat gain in this same area. If you want to enjoy your slimmer, more contoured physique for years to come, you must embrace a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and solid exercise regimen. As plastic surgeons, it is not uncommon for us to see a patient completely transform their lives after Liposuction surgery because they feel so great about how their body looks and are committed to doing everything they can to honor it with healthy lifestyle decisions. It’s great to see how plastic surgery can improve a patient’s appearance, but it is wonderful to witness how it can positively transform their entire lives!”

liposuction swelling timeline

Are you thinking about having liposuction, but want more information about the recovery before you make any decisions? This is something that will be discussed at length during your informational consultation with Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Dr. Anna Wooten, FACS. But it’s wise to do your own homework, too, so you can make educated decisions.

You should know that liposuction recovery varies by patient, depending on factors such as the patient’s age, health, the treated area and amount of fat removed. However, this general timeline can give you an idea of what to expect after surgery.

Immediately Following Surgery

Swelling, bruising and mild discomfort are common during the first two weeks after surgery. While most people find the pain manageable, painkillers are prescribed to alleviate discomfort if needed. Instructions are also provided for caring for the incision site.

Compression garments may be used to cover the treated area, putting slight pressure on the tissues to reduce swelling and expedite healing. The compression garments should be worn as much as possible for the maximum benefit.

Range of motion is usually limited and energy levels may be lower than normal. Patients are encouraged to start taking short, slow walks as soon as they feel ready in order to improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Patients typically take at least a few days off from work, but some may opt to take up to two weeks to allow more time to recuperate.

The post-operative side effects should start to gradually improve after the first week of recovery, with continual improvement in the second week.

Two to Four Weeks after Surgery

Around the second to fourth week of recovery, the incisions have usually healed and any discomfort has subsided. The treated areas may have mild swelling and bruising, which continue to improve with time.

Around the third to fourth week of recovery, most patients are able to begin light to moderate exercise. However, strenuous activity should be avoided.

Four to Six Weeks after Surgery

Patients can start to resume their normal exercise routine and level of activity at this time, after being given the go-ahead by Dr. Wooten. Usually the compression garments no longer need to be worn after four to six weeks.

The results of liposuction become more obvious, although it can take three months or longer for the swelling to completely subside and the skin to contract over the treated area.

The best way to enjoy a successful, complication-free recovery is to be patient and follow all of Dr. Wooten’s instructions, which are tailored to each patient.

what not to do after liposuction

As great as heading back into regular life would be after liposuction, that won’t be the case. There’ll be a recovery period and restrictions on what you can do immediately after surgery. There are a few things you shouldn’t be doing—at least for a while—after your liposuction. See what they are.

Don’t Exercise

You might be itching to fit in a workout, but it’s best to avoid it for a while. Every plastic surgeon will provide their patients with different guidelines, but generally you shouldn’t be exercising until 2 weeks after your liposuction procedure. Really strenuous exercise like heavy weight lifting should be avoided for 5-6 weeks after surgery.

However, it’s encouraged to do some low-impact activities like walking after liposuction. This alleviates swelling and other problems.

Don’t Drink Alcohol

Like for any other surgery, you can’t drink alcohol for a while. If you’re on pain medications, you’ll have to avoid drinking alcohol for at least 1 week. That’s because drinking alcohol will compromise the healing process—alcohol thins the blood and can increase bruising. You’ll be dehydrated after surgery, so the last thing you need is to worsen it. Alcohol is known to cause dehydration. You’ll only be losing fluid from organs that need it when you drink.

Don’t Gain Weight

Ideally, patients have to be at their target weight or close to it before liposuction. If you gain weight, the fat cells that are still present in the area you had liposuction will enlarge. Liposuction is not a weight loss method. You’ll have the best results when you’re at a stable weight. Physicians will recommend that maintaining regular physical activity and a healthy diet is necessary for good results.

Don’t Eat High-Sodium Foods

Eat a well balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and proteins. Drinking plenty of water helps excessive fluid trapped in tissues (edema) go away faster.

Instructions and limitations will vary depending on your procedure and what your plastic surgeon recommends.

how long does it take for your skin to tighten after lipo

If you can’t stop watching liposuction videos on social media, join the club. It seems as a society, we can’t get enough of the stunning before and after photos that epitomize next-level fitness goals, especially the razor-sharp six-pack abs and all-over accentuated musculature.

“The majority of men that I see, what they want is to have everything really well etched out,” says San Francisco-based plastic surgeon, David Sieber, MD, who adds that most of his female patients want “athletic definition, especially around the midline and sides” but “almost never” ask for a full six-pack.

And to attain these next-level, mesmerizing results, traditional liposuction, which Dr. Sieber describes as “uniformly removing fat from stubborn areas,” just isn’t going to cut it because “you’re not really doing anything to make that anatomy more visible.” Yet, for the majority of patients looking for an all-over slimdown, not superhero status, traditional liposuction is the tried-and-true option.

There are many routes a patient can take to attain this kind of fitness model look, especially as liposuction techniques continue to evolve. And between social media, marketing ploys and the age of disinformation, the world of liposuction has become quite confusing, even to patients seeking the surgery. To sort through what’s real and what to call baloney, we’ve asked four board-certified plastic surgeons and members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, for their thoughts on how to safely achieve their patients’ goals via different liposuction techniques and tools.

“All the time, patients come in thinking they’re a good candidate for liposuction and they’re disappointed to learn that they’re not,” says New York City-based plastic surgeon, David Shafer, MD, who adds that this is especially common with patients who have lost a significant amount of weight. “In these cases, liposuction would be the worst thing for them because you’re removing any residual fat and will just make their skin looser; what they need is a skin excision procedure, like a tummy tuck or body lift.”

What are the most common types of liposuction?

Recently, the liposuction umbrella has gotten larger to accommodate specific surgeon techniques tailored to patient goals. Currently, there are three popular forms of liposuction – traditional liposuction, high-definition liposuction and 360 liposuction.

Classic liposuction is volume reduction, says Philadelphia-based plastic surgeon, Christian Subbio, MD, whereas high-definition liposuction “is a more focused liposuction that sculpts out the underlying musculature” resulting in pronounced muscle definition. And “muscle definition” is, of course, a matter of opinion, as many patients seeking high-definition liposuction aren’t necessarily looking to rival the Hulk (although plenty do), but rather accentuate their actual, natural and underlying six-pack.

“High def could be creating a look that’s very light and athletic, where you just do a bit on the front and side, to be more muscular,” says William Rahal, MD, who practices in Beverly Hills, and notes that not everyone is a candidate for this type. “And even within that, there’s a sliding scale of just how muscular or athletic a patient wants to look.”

To round out the trio of popular types, 360 liposuction is a more “comprehensive form” of lipo, says Dr. Rahal, for which everyone is a candidate. As its name suggests, the procedure removes fat circumferentially on the torso, but “excludes the arms and thighs.”

Why can liposuction results be so much better with skin tightening?

Once the fat is removed during liposuction surgery, in many cases, the body “just accommodates and then tightens up,” says Dr. Shafer. “But with patients who may have loose or crepey skin, or who just might not do well with liposuction alone, you also want to stimulate skin with some energy-based device” to support the skin elasticity with snapping back into shape.

What are my options for skin tightening?

There are several effective options for skin tightening in a range of energy modalities that can be done in tandem with liposuction or at a subsequent appointment. Dr. Shafer’s go-to is SmartLipo, which is powered by laser energy to tighten skin from below the surface, while melting fat, making it easier to suck out during lipo.

Other options to tack onto liposuction surgery day include Vaser, which is driven by ultrasound and is often paired with high-definition liposuction, BodyTite, which harnesses radiofrequency energy, and Renuvion, which generates plasma energy.

Post-operative skin tightening devices are less popular with patients, as they require several treatments due to the fact that external energy application uses less powerful levels of energy (otherwise, you’d burn the skin’s surface).

Who is a candidate for liposuction and a skin tightening procedure?

“Skin tightening devices, whether they’re external or invasive, help with inherent skin laxity because lipo creates laxity and it doesn’t matter how old you are,” explains Dr. Rahal, who estimates that 90% of the 40 liposuction procedures he performs each month involve skin tightening.

“When you take a cannula, you’re disrupting the body’s architecture, the supportive structures of the tissue,” he explains. “Skin tightening will allow the skin to retract better and enhance results. It’s the gold standard and rarely do I perform lipo without it.”

While Dr. Shafer believes that this type of combination therapy will “get you superior results,” he doesn’t believe that every single liposuction patient needs it, especially those under thirty.

“A 20-year-old with tight skin who’s a little chubby around the waist, they just need good old-fashioned liposuction, not skin tightening and all these other things,” he says. “They’re young, they’re healthy, their collagen’s good, they’re going to snap back.”

Conversely, he says a patient who has a history of yoyo dieting or has loose skin, but there’s still underlying fat, is “the best candidate” for liposuction then a skin tightening procedure.

“Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is the best thing for a patient to learn about all of their options and the most appropriate treatment for them,” cautions Dr. Shafer, who adds that often, the recommended course of treatment “is not what they thought they were coming in for or what they thought they needed.”

Does adding skin tightening to a liposuction surgery extend recovery?

“I wouldn’t say it extends the overall recovery in terms of time off from work or return to activities,” reassures Dr. Rahal before adding that “a little bit more inflammation in the tissues” is normal because energy has been introduced. “They just look a little bit more swollen or puffy than they would have if they had not done it,” he says. “But around a month, six weeks, it normalizes.”

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.