How Long Does It Take for the Swelling & Itching to Go Away After a Lipo?

Liposuction, or lipo, is a cosmetic procedure that uses suction to remove exercise and diet resistant fat. It is also used to contour specific areas of the body like the hips, buttocks and thighs.

Recovery

• Liposuction is an invasive procedure. Following treatment, it might be a few days before a patient can return to work, and a few weeks before she can resume normal activities, according to the Mayo Clinic. Furthermore, it can take up to six months to make a full recovery.

Swelling

• Post-operative swelling is an expected side effect of the liposuction procedure. According to the Smart Liposuction website, swelling can last from two weeks to two months--or more. Some patients may wear specially designed compression garments to help reduce the swelling.

Itching

• According to Dr. David Singleton of the Medical Weight Loss and Lipo Center, itching sometimes occurs five to seven days after the procedure and can last for one or two months. He recommends Benadryl and anti-itch creams to relieve this symptom.