Liposuction is one of the simplest cosmetic surgeries available today, yet it is also one of the most impactful. This procedure can dramatically boost your confidence levels by helping you refine your shape and contour your curves. Possibly the best thing about liposuction is that it can take care of that stubborn body fat that feels resistant to diet and exercise.
If you’ve tried everything to remove those last few pounds of fat from your lower abdomen, hips, upper arms, or elsewhere, liposuction may be exactly what you need.
One of the most common questions we receive at Sieber Plastic Surgery about liposuction is in regards to the recovery experience.
Patients want to know what they can expect from liposuction recovery. They want to know when they can get back to their normal everyday activities, back to work, and back to their regular exercise routine. Let’s take a closer look at liposuction recovery.
What to Expect During Your Liposuction Recovery
In general, most liposuction patients are able to go home on the same day as their surgery. Overall, the recovery is fairly quick. Within approximately a week, most patients can go back to work or school. This is especially true for office workers and those who don’t have physically demanding jobs.
As with any invasive cosmetic procedure, there will be some discomfort after you return home and during the initial period of your recovery. Dr. Sieber will provide you with pain management options to help increase your comfort.
Bruising and swelling are two major symptoms you’ll experience during recovery from liposuction. For most patients, bruising and swelling is moderate, but for some patients, it may be more significant. This does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. Swelling and bruising are normal after surgery, and it can actually take up to several months for swelling, in particular, to completely diminish.
Over time, you’ll continue to notice decreased discomfort, swelling, and bruising, and your overall results will slowly become more apparent. Most patients can see their full results within three to six months. CoolSculpting patients, on the other hand, (and those who are receiving revision liposuction) may not see their full liposuction results for six to 12 months. Of course, it’s worth noting that results will vary from individual to individual in this regard.
As you recover from this procedure, there are some specific recovery tools, conditions, and treatments you should expect. These include:
Foam Vest and Compression Suit
You will be put into a foam vest and compression suit directly after your procedure. This will need to be worn 24 hours a day for the first month of your liposuction recovery. This is an important element of your recovery as it will help maintain consistent and smooth contours as your body recovers from the procedure.
Once this initial month is over, you’ll continue to wear a different garment — a tighter compression garment – for about 12 hours a day. This will need to be worn for an additional two months, after which recovery garments will no longer be necessary.
Drainage Tubes
In addition to your foam vest and compression suit, two drains will be placed in your incisions. You will have one drainage tube in the back and one drainage tube in the front. These will help reduce the accumulation of fluid and reduce swelling. Approximately seven to 10 days after your procedure, these drainage tubes can be removed.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Immediately after your procedure, you should start receiving regular lymphatic drainage massages. For the first month, we recommend that patients receive two to three massages every week. This will help reduce fluid accumulation and swelling as well.
Movement Requirements
While your recovery period is certainly a time to take it slow and easy, we also want you to be up and around as quickly as possible — walking carefully around your house for at least a few minutes every few hours, for example. You don’t want to overexert yourself by any means, and you should avoid lifting anything heavy or overstretching. However, it’s better to ease back into regular movements and your normal routine.
FAQ: Liposuction Recovery
Will there be visible scars after liposuction recovery?
As with any invasive procedure that requires incisions, there will be some minimal scarring after liposuction. However, the wonderful thing about liposuction is that the incisions are generally tiny. Only thin, small instruments are used to agitate and remove the fat, so they don’t have to be big. Most liposuction incisions are smaller than one cm and heal up very nicely. They are placed in discreet areas and are barely noticeable after several months.
What should you not do during liposuction recovery?
Avoid staying stationary during your recovery from liposuction. Slow walks around your house are a good way to get moving. Also avoid taking blood thinners, as this may increase bleeding and lead to complications during your recovery. This means avoiding substances like ibuprofen. Finally, avoid vigorous exercise and lifting heavy objects, and do not immerse yourself in water. For example, do not go swimming or soak in a bath or hot tub.
What can I do to recover from liposuction faster?
There is no fast solution to recovering from liposuction. The best way to have an efficient recovery is to follow the aftercare instructions provided to you by Dr. Sieber. Rest and stay hydrated. Start moving around and walking slowly as soon as possible (don’t overexert yourself). And of course, eat healthy and drink plenty of water.
Is Liposuction Right for You? Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Sieber
If you are in overall good physical health, within a healthy body weight range, and do not have any other serious medical conditions or ongoing treatments, you are likely a good candidate for liposuction. This simple procedure is quick and effective at getting rid of unwanted fat.
To learn more about the procedure or get started right away on your path to surgery, contact our office today and schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Sieber.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-to-expect-after-liposuction
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002985.htm
