Liposuction itself isn’t painful because it’s performed under local or general anesthesia. However, after the procedure, you may feel soreness and tightness—similar to muscle soreness after a workout. The entire treated area might feel bruised, though this depends on if the treated area has too many nerve endings. Discomfort is usually manageable with prescribed pain relief and tends to improve within a few days to a week. Our patients who have had liposuction have shared they never felt any intense pain.