Many people have areas in their body where stubborn fat tends to collect, and it is very hard to get rid of despite their diet or exercise routine. Fortunately, today we have access to cosmetic procedures and surgeries that can slim down these areas and create a more contoured and toned appearance.
Liposuction is one of the most performed surgeries in the world today because it can safely and effectively remove unwanted fat cells from precisely targeted areas. This allows the surgeon to artfully resculpt certain areas of the body to enhance an individual’s figure or physique.
If you are like most people who are contemplating having liposuction, you are probably thinking about how great you are going to look afterward, but it is very important that you carefully plan for your recovery so you can get the best results.
Today we are going to talk about what you can expect during your recovery from liposuction because preparing yourself both physically and mentally will make your recovery go much smoother.
How Will My Body Feel During My Recovery From Liposuction?
During your recovery from liposuction, the areas that were treated may feel sore and tender, kind of like having a big bruise, and you most likely will have some swelling and bruising with a feeling of tightness. Some patients have reported numbness in these areas and itching, but these should dissipate as the area heals. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort that is so intense that you are not able to focus on other tasks, like watching TV or reading, you need to contact your surgeon’s office right away.
Liposuction Recovery Time Schedule
Most patients are pleasantly surprised that they do not have as much pain during their liposuction recovery as they thought they would. They describe it more as feeling sore or tender or having a tight feeling in the areas that were treated, but this discomfort is easily managed with medication.
Liposuction Day
Right after your liposuction surgery, you will be taken to a recovery room so the medical team can monitor you and make sure everything is going well before you are cleared to go home. Some people may experience side effects from the anesthesia used during the procedure, like nausea or vomiting, but these usually go away within a few hours.
The numbing solution from your liposuction surgery will still be working for a while, so you probably will not feel a great deal of discomfort in the treated areas until this wears off. Dr. Angelina will give you a prescription for pain relief if you need it, but some patients only need to take the medication for a few days, but it varies from person to person.
You will have special compression garments that you will have to wear for several weeks after your liposuction procedure, which is a huge part of your recovery and will help keep bruising and swelling down to a minimum and to avoid additional complications. Dr. Angelina will provide you with detailed instructions on the proper use of these garments and how long they should be worn.
Days 2 through 6
You can expect to feel sore and uncomfortable after liposuction, which may include feeling stiff or inflexible. This is normal, but often the most uncomfortable part of the healing process.
It is a good idea to arrange for someone to help you at home during this time, especially if you have pets or children because you will have restrictions on your activity and may not be able to perform your normal tasks.
You will have small incisions where the liposuction tools were inserted that may need to be cared for until they scab over. It is important to follow the instructions provided to you by Dr. Angelina to ensure they heal properly.
Fortunately, your body is designed to recover on its own, but it needs a few things from you to do this effectively: follow your doctor’s instructions, get plenty of rest, and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
Dr. Angelina will instruct you to take short, frequent walks around your home to prevent blood clots from forming. Most likely you started these walks in the recovery room to mitigate experiencing blood clots that can travel to your lungs and create a medical emergency. The most important thing you can do to ensure your recovery goes as quickly and smoothly as possible is to get enough rest. Do not try to do too much the first week, and let your body use your energy to repair itself. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will give your body what it needs to best do its job in repairing the liposuction areas.
Weeks 2 Through 4
Normally, after liposuction, your swelling will peak the first week, and then it will begin to gradually dissipate. It can take several months before all the swelling goes away, but the discomfort the swelling causes should greatly decrease during the second week. If your job is labor-intensive or involves lifting heavy objects, it may take you longer to be able to return to your normal tasks, but many patients are able to resume work after the first week. Dr. Angelina will advise you on how long you should take off work depending on the extent of your liposuction procedure.
During this time frame, you will attend a follow-up appointment with Dr. Angelina so she can check on your progress. Most patients are cleared to shower and resume some of their normal activities, but it will depend on the areas and extent of fat removal and how well you are healing.
After One Month
When your recovery process reaches the one-month mark, you can resume most of your normal daily activities. You should no longer be feeling tenderness or soreness in the treatment areas, but you may still show signs of swelling and bruising. Most patients between 4 and 6 weeks are able to resume their normal exercise routine and engage in other physical activities that will help maintain a healthy weight and preserve their results.
By this time, you should be able to see a visible difference in the appearance of your body vs. before you had your liposuction. Some patients can see results immediately, while others take several months after the swelling subsides.
Six Weeks And Beyond
By the time you have reached the 6-week point, most of your swelling and bruising should be gone, although it is not uncommon for swelling to last several months in certain areas. Dr. Angelina may clear you to discontinue the use of compression garments after this point.
Every patient will progress at their own rate, so it is important that you are attending all of your follow-up appointments and in close contact with your surgeon, so they can closely follow your liposuction recovery process and make adjustments as needed. You should be able to see your final results anywhere between 3 and 6 months after your liposuction procedure.
Tips For Liposuction Recovery
The speed and ease of your recovery will be directly related to how well you take care of yourself and follow Dr. Angelina’s aftercare instructions. After having any type of surgery, it will take time for you to gain back your ability to return to your normal schedule. Your natural immune system will do the majority of the repair work, but there are things you can do to help your body heal swiftly and properly.
- Eat healthy foods that are rich in protein and vitamins and will give your body the strong building materials it needs to do its job;
- Stay properly hydrated;
- Get an adequate amount of sleep and as much extra sleep as possible during the first few weeks;
- Make sure you take short walks to keep your circulation moving to promote healing and prevent blood clots;
- Dress in comfortable clothing so your treatment areas are not irritated and you can easily rest;
- Stay away from eating or drinking anything with high sodium content;
- Avoid swimming or submerging yourself in any type of water until cleared by Doctor Angelina;
- Do not take medications that thin your blood until you are cleared by Dr. Angelina. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medication;
- Avoid alcohol while you are healing because it causes fluid retention.
Beyond Liposuction Recovery
If you desire to maintain the results of your liposuction procedure, you will need to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors. Fat cells that have been removed will not come back, but it is important for you to understand that the remaining fat cells in the treatment areas and outside of the treatment areas can still expand or contract in response to fluctuations in your weight.
Practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors such as eating low-calorie nutritious meals and engaging in enough physical activity will help you maintain a healthy weight. If you do gain weight, it may be distributed in unexpected places because, after liposuction, you no longer have all the fat cells you started with.
Where Can I Learn More About Liposuction?
If you desire a more contoured, slimmer body, then Dr. Angelina Postoev, a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon at Surgicare Arts & Aesthetics, can make that happen. She offers liposuction surgery as well as many other non-invasive and surgical procedures that are designed to re-contour your body.
Set up a consultation today to learn more about how we can help enhance your appearance and attain the aesthetic look you have always wanted.
