How to Reduce Swelling After Liposuction

An expert-reviewed guide to reduce swelling after liposuction

Medically reviewed by Daniel Barrett, MD

Last Updated: July 6, 2022 References

Swelling is downright unpleasant—but don’t worry, it’s normal after having liposuction. The body responds to liposuction as it would to any trauma: bodily tissues swell up in order to heal the wound.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Expert Interview. 23 July 2020.} Swelling starts within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and will increase for the next 10 to 14 days before going down.^{[2]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} It’s important to follow your doctor’s post-op instructions, wear compression wraps and garments, and eat well to ease uncomfortable swelling and make a speedy recovery.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Following Your Doctor’s Post-Op Instructions

1
Apply a compression wrap or garment after the surgery. Compression wraps will minimize swelling, support healthy circulation, and reduce the risk of skin-rippling after liposuction.^{[3]
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Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Expert Interview. 23 July 2020.} You can purchase them online or at some drugstores, but your doctor will likely provide you with a wrap to take home with you the day of your surgery.^{[4]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- You’ll need to wear the compression wrap or garment on the area of the incision immediately after surgery and up to 3 or 4 weeks after. It will feel a little uncomfortable at first, but you’ll get used to it after a while.
- Your doctor may give you a garment with less compression after your first checkup.
- Remove the compression wrap only when showering (24 hours to 48 hours after surgery with your doctor’s permission).^{[5]
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- Compression wraps are supposed to be tight, but talk to your doctor if it’s so tight that it’s keeping you up at night.
2
Leave the tape over the incision for a week or until it falls off. If your doctor put strips of tape over the incision area, leave them on until your doctor says it’s okay to take them off (which is typically at the 7 day mark). If the tape falls off on its own before that time, it’s okay—just be sure to tell your doctor.^{[6]
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- Your doctor will let you know when it’s time for you to make an appointment to have any stitches or staples removed.
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3
Take medication as instructed and don’t take anything without approval. If your doctor has prescribed pain medicine, follow their instructions. Only restart your regular medicines (any prescriptions and supplements you regularly took before having liposuction) when your doctor says it’s okay.^{[7]
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- Your doctor may recommend natural pain-killers like arnica, CBD, or fish oil supplements.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Daniel Barrett, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  Expert Interview. 23 July 2020.}
- Tell your doctor if you normally take blood thinners (Coumadin, Plavix, or aspirin) as these can interfere with the healing process. They’ll probably recommend that you stop taking them for a little while or they might reduce your dosage. Ask your doctor when you should restart your blood thinners or return to your normal dose.
- If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take the entire course as directed and don’t stop just because you feel better.
- If you have struggled with an addiction to prescription pain medicine in the past, talk to your doctor about finding alternatives for pain management. You can also have someone manage and administer the pills for you during your post-op recovery.^{[9]
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  Harvard Medical School
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- Narcotic pain meds often cause constipation, so many doctors recommend taking stool softeners while taking narcotics.
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Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Expert Interview. 23 July 2020.} Rest is important for your body to heal, so rest up! Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night and take small naps during the day if you feel tired. With your doctor’s permission, try to walk around a little each day to boost blood flow and keep your digestive system moving.^{[11]
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- Avoid all forms of exercise until your doctor approves, which can be anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after surgery depending on the type of surgery you had (e.g., if you had mini-liposuction of the neck versus full liposuction of the stomach).^{[12]
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  National Health Service (UK)
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Drink at least half of your weight in ounces of water per day. Adequate hydration is key to manage swelling and promote successful healing. To find your optimal amount, simply divide your weight in half and that’s how many ounces you should be drinking.^{[13]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, aim to drink 90 fluid ounces (2,700 mL) of liquids per day.^{[14]
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  Harvard Medical School
  Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
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- Avoid dehydrating liquids like coffee and teas with high amounts of caffeine (switch to decaf and herbal teas instead).
- Soups and broths count as liquids as well!

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Eating to Ease Swelling

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Allocate 15% to 20% of your daily calories to protein. Protein is essential for healing wounds, so be sure to eat enough animal and plant-based proteins each day based on your weight and dietary needs.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} Use an online protein calculator to find your daily recommended amount.^{[16]
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- Animal sources of protein include chicken, red meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. If you don’t have the energy to cook fresh meats (or if no one’s around to help you), order in or sign up for a meal delivery service.
- Some plant-based protein options include tofu, tempeh, seitan, beans and legumes, broccoli, spinach, and mushrooms.
- Fish and eggs are also a great source of B12, which keeps your blood cells and nervous system healthy. Vegans can take a B12 supplement (with their doctor’s approval) and/or sprinkle nutritional yeast on their foods.^{[17]
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- If you find you have a low appetite, protein shakes are a good option.
2
Get enough vitamin C and zinc to boost your immune system. A healthy immune system is necessary for healing. Oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, broccoli, red bell peppers, and brussels are all excellent sources of vitamin C. Meat-based sources of zinc include oysters, crab, chicken, and lobster, but zinc can also be found in fortified cereals, soy meats, legumes, nuts, seeds, and tomato products.^{[18]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- If you don’t eat meat or seafood, ask your doctor about taking a zinc supplement (look for one that contains or 15 mg, which is 100% of your daily value).
- Vitamin C is especially helpful in rebuilding collagen and improving skin tissue.
- Zinc can help lower the risk of infection at the incision site.
- Double-up on zinc and vitamin C by making chicken or steamed lobster tacos with corn tortillas, roasted red bell peppers, and salsa. Veganize it by omitting cheese (or using nutritional yeast) and replacing the meat with beans, tempeh, or tofu scramble!
3
Eat foods rich in iron to promote wound healing. Iron can speed your healing time by lowering the amount of inflammation in your body, which means that uncomfortable swelling will go down faster. Shellfish, organ meats (like liver), turkey, tofu, spinach, legumes, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa are all great sources of this essential mineral.^{[19]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Avoid taking iron supplements because they can interact with prescribed medications (like antibiotics).^{[20]
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  MedlinePlus
  Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine
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Keep your gut healthy with fiber and probiotics. Laying around in bed after surgery will probably affect your gut and digestive system, so don’t be surprised if your bowels become a little sluggish. Eating foods rich in fiber and probiotics will help boost your immune system and keep your digestive tract moving along.^{[21]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Incorporate fermented items like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso, and kombucha into your daily diet.
- Fill up on fiber by eating whole grain breads and pastas, oats, lentils, beans, chia seeds, artichokes, brussels, beets, and broccoli. Try to get 25 grams if you’re a woman and 38 grams if you’re a man.^{[22]
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- Try making a tasty parfait with yogurt, berries, and granola for a healthy dose of probiotics, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Walk around a little after meals to help with digestion.
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Eat foods rich in antioxidants to fight inflammation. Antioxidants are famous for their anti-inflammatory properties. Eat lots of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, goji berries, red grapes, dark leafy greens, sweet potatoes, beans, and fish to prevent cellular damage from free radicals.^{[23]
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- Make a power smoothie with 3 different types of berries for a snack.
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Avoid processed foods and alcohol until you’re fully healed. Processed foods (like frozen and fast food meals) often contain lots of unnecessary sodium, additives, and saturated fats, which increase swelling and hinder the healing process. And alcohol causes inflammation, which will only increase your swelling and extend your recovery time.^{[24]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source}
- Alcohol will weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infection.
- Only start drinking alcohol again after 3 to 4 weeks and with your doctor’s approval. Definitely avoid drinking if you’re still taking pain medication.

Expert Q&A

Question

Is swelling normal after liposuction?

Daniel Barrett, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Daniel Barrett is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and the owner of Barrett Plastic Surgery based in Beverly Hills, California. With over six years of plastic surgery experience, Dr. Barrett specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, nose and body. He has developed detailed scar management protocols and closure techniques to reduce the appearance of scars for his patients. Dr. Barrett obtained a BS from James Madison University and an MD along with an MS in Physiology and and an MHA (Masters of Health Administration) from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

Daniel Barrett, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Answer

Yes! Swelling is part of your body's natural healing process, and it should go down as you recover. In the meantime, you can try using some gentle compression and taking anti-inflammatories to help your body heal. I recommend natural pain-relievers like arnica, CBD, and fish oil, but talk to your doctor first to see what they recommend.

Warnings

Call 911 if you start to cough up blood or experience loss of consciousness, severe trouble breathing, and/or sudden chest pain.^{[25]
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Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you notice any new pain, have signs of infection (increased redness/pain, pus and/or red streaks from the incision, and fever), or if your stitches come loose.^{[26]
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