You may be looking forward to your lower body lift, but the event will be a traumatic one for your body. The procedure involves extensive incisions that disrupt the flow of fluid through your lymphatic system, and this can slow your body’s natural fluid-draining abilities and cause swelling. Swelling also results when your body sends extra blood to the surgical sites to help them heal. While swelling is a normal and expected part of the healing process, controlling it as much as possible can help you optimize your surgical results.
You got a lower body lift because you wanted a slimmer, sleeker contour. Postsurgical swelling will prevent you from seeing that when you look in the mirror, but do not despair. Although it may feel like it will last forever, the swelling after a lower body lift significantly decreases about three weeks after surgery and resolves fully in about six months.
Recovering from major surgery is a process, and it is one that can look a little different for everyone. While your body may not follow it exactly, here is a general timeline of when swelling resolves after a lower body lift:
There are quite a few factors that can impact the duration of post-op swelling. Some of them are beyond your control, but others are not. We encourage our patients to understand (and accept) the factors beyond their control but to combat the ones that they can. The amount and duration of swelling vary based on:
While you certainly can’t control the speed at which your lymphatic system naturally functions, there are lots of things you can do to help reduce swelling after your full body lift. We encourage you to do them all.
Your compression garment is designed to support your body as it heals while applying just enough pressure to help force out excess fluid. While you certainly won’t be wearing it to walk the runway in Milan, you need to wear your compression garment 24/7 for the first four to six weeks after your surgery. After that, you can gradually reduce the amount of time you spend in it each day.
Make sure you check the fit of your garment with your plastic surgeon. If it’s too tight it will restrict your circulation, but a garment that’s too loose won’t effectively do its job.
Gravity pulls on everything, including the fluid in your body. To keep it from causing excess fluid to pool in your lower abdomen and thighs, sleep and rest with your lower body elevated. An adjustable bed makes doing this easy, but a few pillows under your knees will also do the trick. You’ll need to sleep this way for a few weeks.
Salt encourages fluid retention, so stick to a low-sodium diet for a while after your lift. Avoid processed snacks, fast food, and canned goods, all of which tend to be high in sodium. It’s also helpful to include foods that naturally reduce inflammation, such as leafy greens, pineapple, and turmeric.
You should also try to drink two to three liters of water a day. Doing so keeps fluids moving through your system. We know that focusing on drinking this much water can feel a little overwhelming, so don’t stress about it. You don’t need to measure it out and be super precise. Just make an effort to drink as much water as you can.
In a fun little catch-22, both too much activity and too little will increase your post-op swelling. You should avoid prolonged sitting and standing too, as both can increase swelling as well. The best way to keep your circulation going and hold swelling at bay is to take short walks during the day. Get up and walk every hour or two, even if you don’t go far.
Consider visiting a trained lymphatic massage specialist about two to three weeks after your surgery. A properly trained and practiced masseuse can work wonders for your lymphatic system and help it move fluid through your body more quickly. After a lower body lift, the massage technique should include gentle, upward strokes along the abdomen and thighs.
To avoid pressure on your healing tissue, you will need to avoid sleeping on your stomach or sides for at least six weeks after your lower body lift. You’ll have to sleep on your back with your legs and head both slightly elevated. Although difficult for some patients, sleeping on your back is vital to the healing process.
While some swelling and a few other side effects are considered normal after surgery, some symptoms can be cause for concern. You need to reach out to your medical team right away if you have any of these issues:
Swelling after a lower body lift is normal. It will peak in the first week or two after surgery but then slowly improve over three to six months. You can minimize swelling by wearing your compression garment as directed, avoiding salt, staying hydrated, and engaging in light activity as you recover.
While swelling is normal, seromas and blood clots aren’t. Know the potential signs of complications and contact your surgeon immediately if you notice any.
Have more questions about swelling and lower body lift recovery? Schedule a free virtual plastic surgery consultation with our clinic and get the answers you need to make an informed decision about getting a lower body lift.
Swelling typically lasts three to six months but you’ll notice a marked improvement about eight weeks after your lift.
Swelling is often worse in the morning and evening. In the morning, the lack of movement while you sleep can increase swelling. In the evening, the activities of the day can increase fluid retention. Both too much and too little movement can contribute to swelling, so you’ll need to try and strike a balance between the two.
Light walking is encouraged, but intense workouts should be avoided for at least six to eight weeks.
Yes! Wearing a compression garment consistently for six weeks or more significantly reduces swelling and improves final results of your lower body lift.
If swelling suddenly increases, is uneven, or is accompanied by pain or redness, contact your surgeon.