How Long Does Abdominal Liposuction Swelling Last?

Be it any liposuction procedure – invasive, minimally-invasive or non-invasive – swelling is a normal and temporary part of healing in post op. For instance, if a patient undergoes traditional or abdominal liposuction in NYC, swelling is an unavoidable part of recovery. Though traditional liposuction might result in greater pain and swelling, minimally-invasive liposuction procedures might cause slight swelling and discomfort, which will subside in the first few weeks. Prospective patients may want to know how long the swelling from abdominal liposuction could last.

Generally, the extent of swelling and inflammation after an abdominal liposuction in NYC will depend on the nature of the procedure and the technique used. Patients can expect the majority of their swelling to dissipate 4–6 weeks post op, and the results will continue to improve with time. When the swelling goes down, a more toned and slimmer abdomen or tummy would be revealed.

Swelling after any plastic surgery procedure is common and completely normal unless left untreated or is not taken care of. Excessive swelling can lead to unwanted complications that delay recovery. But why does swelling occur after a surgery? Is it because of the trauma incurred by the tissue? An article in NewBeauty cites a surgeon as saying that most general anesthetics cause dilation of the blood vessels, which also cause them to be leaky, which results in increased fluid in the surrounding tissue and consequent swelling.

However, there are some steps you can take to minimize/avoid swelling and discomfort after an abdominal liposuction in NYC and they are:

• Follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions diligently for faster healing
• Keep the treatment sites clean and covered
• To reduce swelling/inflammation, take the pain medications prescribed
• Avoid drugs that can interfere with recovery
• Stay hydrated and eat healthy food as it helps your body to heal smoothly. Focus on eating a healthy low sodium diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, include eggs and yogurt in your diet as they are excellent sources of vitamin K which is a great component to reduce swelling.
• Avoid over-exertion or strenuous activities for the first few weeks after the procedure.
• Light walking is recommended after surgery, but don’t overdo it.
• Get lymphatic drainage massage from a licensed therapist
• Smoking slows wound healing and increases the risk of swelling or other post-surgical complications. So, quit smoking several weeks before and after surgery.
• Avoid drinking alcohol both before and after the procedure as it can aggravate the swelling/inflammation.
• Stay away from heat sources during the recovery period, as heat can make the swelling more prominent. Avoid spending time outdoors, using heat lamps, and taking hot showers during the recovery period.
• Apply ice packs to the treatment site, but not directly on your skin. Cool compresses heal soft tissue injuries as these constrict the blood vessels, help alleviate discomfort and speed up recovery.
• As a rule, keep your incisions elevated to allow fluids to drain away from the wound area for the first week after surgery.
• Follow your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions on optimizing health and blood pressure well in advance of the surgery.
• To minimize swelling, avoid the following:
  • excess salt
  • processed foods or fast foods
  • spicy foods
  • most herbal teas and supplements
  • smoking
  • alcohol intake
  • blood thinning medications, including aspirin and ibuprofen
• Constantly check for infections and seroma formation around the treated area.

Though the swelling can persist for a few weeks, each patient heals at a different rate.  Even though post-surgical swelling is part of the normal healing process, constantly check for infections and seroma formation and you should see your surgeon immediately if swelling or other side effects get worse. Moreover, patients need to have realistic expectations about the outcomes of the procedure and follow the surgeon’s instructions on post-operative care for a smooth and safe recovery.

Find an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery facility that has expert surgeons to perform the abdominal liposuction in NYC. Having the procedure performed by an experienced and skilled surgeon is vital to minimize side effects. The right guidance is very important with regard to abdominal liposuction as with any other surgical procedure.