MixChick asks:

“I am 2 weeks post lipo I had about 3.5 quarts of fat removed from my waist,love handles,lower/upper abdomen. I had 5 liters of liquid injected into me that day. I weigh a little over my weight before the procedure. I am still swollen and lumpy specially in the abdomen area. I am very concerned about those bulges not shrinking down. I don’t look much different than prior to the surgery. I have the same width and my love handles still look a little aquared like before. Help what should I expect at 2 weeks?”

 

A small degree of weight loss can occur after moderately extensive liposculpture/liposuction.  3.5 quarts of fat is reasonable amount of fat removed.  However, weight loss itself is not the primary goal of liposuction.  The primary goal is to expertly sculpt problem areas and overall improve their appearance.  It is much more important to focus on improving appearance and not to focus on weight loss.  Liposuction is not a weight loss specific treatment.  When dealing with weight loss the best answers of course are specifically related to lifestyle change, diet, exercise, decreasing stress and improvement of sleep patterns.

Lumps and bumps and fullness and even swelling are expected at one week, two weeks and even longer.  What is really key is to be patient and understand that the end result isn’t until weeks and even months down the road.  What you see is what you get more often in the three month to six month range rather than in the two to three week range.  Patience is key and looking in the mirror constantly after seven to 14 days can be a bit frustrating.

David Q. Santos, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon