Liposuction is an effective cosmetic procedure to remove unwanted fat from the body. Bruising after liposuction is one of the common side effects of the treatment. If you understand why the bruises occur, you can complete the healing process successfully.
There are various factors that affect the degree of bruising. If your skin is very thin, bruises will be more visible. Your surgeon may take various precautions for bruise prevention in liposuction. However, postoperative bruising management is absolutely necessary.
Liposuction Bruising: A Common Side Effect
Bruising after liposuction is a common side effect. During liposuction, fat deposits are broken down and absorbed. For this reason, rupture occurs in the small thin vessels close to the skin surface. As a result, bruising occurs in the liposuction treatment area.
Bruising in liposuction does not occur to the same degree in everyone. There are different factors that will affect the level of bruising. When too much force is required for absorption, bruising becomes more visible. It is also slightly more visible in areas of loose skin.
Your surgeon may make various suggestions for minimizing bruising in liposuction. Wearing compression garments and using topical creams are some of these. Additionally, you may need to make serious changes in your life until the bruising after liposuction disappears.
Bruising after liposuction generally disappears within 2-3 weeks. Light green marks may remain from the bruises for about 5-6 weeks. Also, you should know that there may be a difference between flank liposuction bruising and bruising in other areas.
Liposuction Bruising by Treatment Area
The degree of bruising after liposuction varies depending on the treatment area. For example, flank liposuction bruising is more noticeable. Because there are so many small blood vessels close to the skin. Therefore, bruising may be more intense in the flank areas.
- Abdomen: Bruises appear around the liposuction area. The bruises may not remain local and can be seen in every incision areas. Recovery takes 2-3 weeks.
- Calves: Bruising on the calves is linear and disappears quickly. If attention is paid to healing, bruising on the calves after liposuction disappears in 7 days.
- Thighs: Liposuction on the thighs is considered a little more complicated. Bruises have a distinctive green color and reappear with each procedure. Recovery takes 2-3 weeks.
- Flank: Flank liposuction bruises are of the spreading type. The bruises become more visible before they gradually disappear. A similar situation applies to the back.
- Arms: Linear bruising may occur due to incisions. Bruising is lighter on the outer arms. Inner and back arms bruises are more darker. Recovery takes 1-2 weeks.
In short, there are areas of darker bruising in women and men. Flank liposuction bruising is the most obvious and you shouldn’t worry immediately. Your surgeon can support recovery process by taking various steps for bruise prevention in liposuction.
Bruising Timeline After Liposuction
Bruising after liposuction is a side effect and you don’t need to worry about it initially. In the first days, the bruises will be darker and you see some swelling. There is no specific timeline that suits everyone for post liposuction bruising, but in general, it is somewhat obvious.
- After surgery: You will see dark purple and blue colors in the treatment area. Swelling is noticeable and causes some discomfort. You may have some difficulty moving.
- In the first week: In the first week, the bruises change color and become green. The swelling decreases and you can move. You can do ice therapy to promote healing.
- After two weeks: Bruises turn from green to yellow. It is an important phase for bruising from liposuction management. Because you start to move more easily.
- After three weeks: If your body supports healing, you will get rid of bruises after the third week. In terms of bruising after liposuction, only slightly yellow areas remain.
- Beyond one month: Bruises and other marks begin to disappear completely. The recovery process from bruising from liposuction can continue for up to three months.
Even though bruising in liposuction is normal, sometimes you may need to be careful. Your body may not support healing. For this, contact your surgeon and try to manage the process in the best way by asking the right steps for reducing liposuction bruising.
Managing and Minimizing Bruising
Although bruising after liposuction is a common side effect, it is possible to minimize and manage bruising. Reducing liposuction bruising makes you feel less discomfort and speeds up recovery. For this reason, it is much better to proceed gradually for recovery.
- Before liposuction, inform your surgeon about the medications you use. You need to stop certain medications 1-2 weeks before treatment. Thus, you can reduce the risk of bruising from liposuction and complete the process in a healthier way.
- Do not move around too much after liposuction. Take necessary precautions for post liposuction bruising by wearing compression garments. If necessary, apply ice therapy and reduce bruising. Do not bathe for cleansing until your surgeon gives permission.
- When you start to move slowly, apply heat therapy in addition to cold therapy. Getting gentle massages is beneficial for managing liposuction bruising. Let the accumulated blood disperse and do not rush to get rid of the bruises.
- Be careful what you eat after liposuction. Consume foods rich in vitamins C and K. It is good to consume bananas, avocados, strawberries, spinach, lettuce and salmon. All these and more are valuable for the management of bruising in liposuction.
Minimizing bruising in liposuction is a process that requires great care. If you follow the rules set by your surgeon, you will have a smooth recovery process. You should be patient and contact your surgeon if you encounter any problems about bruising after liposuction.
Recovery Tips for Bruising After Liposuction
Your surgeon will share with you recovery tips for bruising after liposuction. Proper liposuction care methods are very important for post liposuction bruising management. If you want to make your life as easy as possible during the recovery process, you can use some recovery tips.
- Drink plenty of water: Consume plenty of water during the recovery from liposuction bruising process. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. If the weather is very hot, you may need to drink more water. You can clean the toxins in your body by drinking water.
- Support with pillows: You need to keep the treatment area elevated when lying down after liposuction. For this, get support from pillows and prevent the tissues from tightening. The use of a pillow is very valuable for managing liposuction bruising.
- Do ice therapy: Do this therapy to reduce the blood accumulated under the skin for bruising after liposuction recovery. 10-15 minutes of therapy every 3 hours during the day is sufficient. During ice therapy, do not forget to wrap the ice in a towel.
- Be careful of infection: For liposuction, incisions are made on your body. If the correct care steps are not followed, these incisions can become infected. If you notice swelling, redness, and pain in addition to bruising, contact your doctor immediately.
- Get enough rest: Your body needs rest after liposuction. Sleep for at least 8 hours and allow the hormones in your body to activate and heal your body. If you sleep less than 8 hours at night, you can take 30-minute naps during the day.
You can successfully complete the recovery from liposuction bruising process by consuming enough water, resting, ice therapy and following your surgeon’s recommendations. If you have questions about the details of the process, you can contact your surgeon.
Each patient’s response to treatment is different. Bruising after liposuction is common. If the bruises do not go away for a long time and cause you difficulties, you should consult the surgeon you were treated for. This way, you can take the right step for your recovery plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bruising after liposuction normal?
Yes, bruising after liposuction is normal. Liposuction means the destruction of fats and tissues close to the skin surface. As a result, bruising occurs for several days or weeks. The time it takes for bruises to heal varies depending on the body’s contribution to healing.
How long does bruising last after liposuction?
Bruising after liposuction is intense for the first few weeks. It disappears as your body clears the accumulated blood. How long this process continues varies from person to person. Generally it may take 2-6 weeks. You can shorten the time with various supportive steps.
What causes prolonged bruising in liposuction?
If bruising after liposuction took longer than normal, potential causes should be learned. If liposuction is applied too forcefully, the bruises may be long-lasting. Your surgeon should make the necessary evaluations to find out the cause of long-lasting bruises.