Swelling After Liposuction: Causes and Optimal Healing

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Richman on July 15, 2025.

Understanding the Liposuction Procedure

Liposuction, also called “lipo” or lipoplasty, is a body contouring procedure that eliminates unwanted fat from specific places on the body. At the GCC, we perform gender-affirming liposuction, which helps trans and non-binary patients feel greater gender congruence with the shape of their body. As with other surgeries, it’s crucial to follow your liposuction aftercare instructions for optimal results. In this article, we’ll outline how to manage the swelling and inflammation that accompanies the liposuction recovery period.
If you’re interested in learning more or discussing your body contouring goals, you can schedule a free virtual consultation with one of our experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons.

How can I maximize my body contouring results through recovery?

Besides trying to avoid drastic changes in body weight, which can undo the results of body contouring, closely following the recovery guidelines can help you preserve your body contouring results. Dr. Facque (he/him) talks about this more in the following video:

Swelling After Liposuction: When Does It Happen and How Long Does It Last?

Swelling is your body’s natural reaction to the surgery and is a sign that you’re healing. Under your compression garments, you may notice a gradual increase in swelling during the first 72 hours after surgery. The majority of the swelling should dissipate after about a week, but some people may experience minor swelling for up to four months post-procedure. It can be frustrating to have to wait for inflammation to go down to see your results, but remember that swelling is essential for healing as your body adjusts to your new contours.

Early Recovery Steps that Can Reduce Swelling

Before your surgery, you should make sure you have the following prepared to ensure optimal healing and recovery:

• Request time off from work at least six weeks in advance. Most people return to work one to two weeks after their procedure, depending on the nature of their work.
• Refrain from smoking tobacco or cannabis for at least three weeks before and after your liposuction. Smoking can severely impair your liposuction healing process.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol for at least one week before and after your liposuction. Alcohol can’t be consumed with the pain medications you’ll be prescribed post-op.
• Your surgeon is likely to recommend a low-sodium diet for at least two weeks after your surgery. Since you’ll be recovering, and since prepared foods are sodium-rich, you may want to make your food ahead of time and/or make a meal plan with your care team.

Factors Influencing the Extent of Swelling

It’s hard to say how much swelling you can expect after liposuction, because it depends on many factors, including:

• The liposuction technique used
• Your individual healing response
• Your individual tendency for fluid retention
• How carefully you follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-op instructions

What to Expect Post-Operation

Liposuction is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can expect to go home (or to your Bay Area accommodations, if you’re traveling) after surgery.
Most of the moderate pain, bruising, and inflammation will peak three to seven days after surgery, and will subside after the first three weeks. During this period, it’s especially crucial to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions – like wearing your compression garments – closely, to ensure optimal results and a smoother recovery.

Expected Swelling Timeline & Maintaining Results

Post-Operative (Days 1-7)

Pain management

Pain, inflammation, and bruising peak during the first three to seven days after surgery. Prescription pain medications are prescribed for use on an as-needed basis during this time.

• Moderate to severe pain should subside around 5 days post-op, and patients can expect mild soreness to last for around 3-6 weeks.
• Do not operate a car while on prescription pain meds.
• Rest as much as possible to help reduce inflammation and pain.
• If you underwent lipo and/or skin excision in the lower extremities, elevate your knees while you sleep to reduce inflammation. We recommend a few pillows under the knees and calves.

Compression garments and bandages

You will need to wear a compression garment and/or compression wraps day and night after surgery. The location and size of your compression garment and/or wraps will depend on where you had liposuction. 

The garments and/or wraps can be removed briefly to take a shower (which will be allowed 24 – 48 hours after surgery if no drains are present). Compression garments must be worn for a period of time after surgery according to your surgeon’s preferences, typically between 3 weeks and 3 months. Compression helps reduce swelling and promotes uniformity of body contouring results.

Mid Recovery Phase (Weeks 2-4)

During the mid-recovery phase, you’ll continue to see improvement in your swelling. Most inflammation reduces during this time with consistent use of compression garments. 

Take care to avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercises, as well as submerging any of your surgical sites in water. However, lighter exercises are recommended after the first three weeks. Walking every day is highly important to your healing; you may also consider activities like biking at a leisurely pace, restorative yoga, slow jogging, or lifting up to 25lbs.

End Recovery Phase (Weeks 4-8)

During this phase of liposuction recovery, you will notice a significant reduction in swelling. You’ll be able to get a sense of what your final results look like in 6 weeks, but it will still take 6 months to a year for everything to settle. Further, your scars will take a year to mature, heal, and even fade. Take care to keep your scars out of the sun, or keep them covered with clothing or sunscreen, for the first year after liposuction.

Tips for minimizing swelling post-liposuction

In addition to the recovery information above, here are some further suggestions for minimizing swelling:

• Hydration and Nutrition: it’s important to drink enough water as you heal, and to eat nutritious and gentle foods. Some surgeons recommend eating smaller meals more frequently during the healing period. Many providers – including the GCC – suggest a low-sodium diet for at least the first two weeks after liposuction to reduce swelling

• Positions and Movements: if you got liposuction in the lower extremities, take care to elevate your knees to reduce inflammation. We recommend pillows under the knees and calves as you lie down. Walking a little bit every day post-op is also important to ease swelling.

Compression Garments: one of the most important things you can do after liposuction is wear your compression garments day and night to curtail swelling, support you as you heal, and promote optimal body contouring results. You may remove your compression garments for showers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Swelling after Liposuction

How long will the swelling last after liposuction?

Post-liposuction swelling steadily increases for the first 72 hours after surgery, and most of it should dissipate within the first week. You’ll notice it going away during the recovery period, but some people may experience minor swelling or the feeling of lumps and bumps for up to four months post-op.

What’s the best way to get great liposuction results?

For the best results, it’s vital to follow your surgeon’s pre- and post-op instructions. One of the most important things you can do is wear your compression garments consistently, and maximize the rest you get during your recovery period. 

Is it normal to have bulging after liposuction?

Yes, a modest amount of bulging and swelling is completely normal after liposuction. If you are concerned about the amount of bulging you experience post-op (or if it’s accompanied by one of the warning signs above), contact your care team.

How do I prevent or reduce swelling fast?

Swelling is a natural response to surgery, so preventing it entirely isn’t the goal. However, it’s natural to want to minimize the discomfort that swelling causes. The tips above – regarding nutrition, hydration, positioning, movement, and wearing compression garments – will help you do that.