13 Ways for a Better Liposuction Recovery

Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States. It is extremely effective and predictable. It is a straightforward procedure, however, it is still an invasive surgery that requires some downtime. Once you have made the decision to commit to a liposuction procedure, you will want to begin preparing for the recovery process.

To help you prepare and make the process easier, here are 15 ways to enhance your liposuction recovery.

1. Understand the Procedure

Tumescent Liposuction remains the gold standard for fat removal. Its purpose is to remove unwanted pockets of fat from the body. It is used in many areas, such as the abdomen, hips, back, arms, thighs, chest, and neck.

Liposuction requires a very small incision at each entry point. From there, a cannula is used to suction out the fat. 

2. Post Surgery Expectations

After your surgery is complete, you will rest a little while in a recovery room. During this period, you will be monitored to make sure there are no complications. Once you are approved to leave,  you will be able to go back home. For your safety, you will need to arrange a friend or family member to drive you to and from surgery.

3. The First Days

The day after your surgery, you may notice some oozing coming out of the incision area. This is normal and should subside quickly. Some surgeons use drains to keep this fluid from building up. This reduces swelling and discomfort. You will likely experience some mild to moderate pain during the first few days. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications to help. Be sure to follow all of the instructions your doctor gives you for post op care.

If you begin to notice anything that seems out of the ordinary, contact your doctor. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it’s better to catch any complications early on before the symptoms get worse.

Even though you are still healing, it’s important that you get up and move around every couple of hours or so. This will keep your blood circulating and help to prevent clotting.

4. Two Week Progression

By this time, your bruises should be nearly or completely gone. Swelling should be decreasing week by week, but it can persist for up to 90 days.  

If you are given a garment to wear, make sure you are sticking to your doctor’s instructions and don’t take it off too early. Your surgeon will let you know when it is okay to reduce the amount of time you wear it. 

5. One Month Progression

At this time, you should be feeling much better and getting back to your normal routine, with exception of exercise. You may not be cleared to resume all physical activity at this time. Your doctor will evaluate your healing process and let you know what you can and can’t do at this point.

6. Be Mindful of Your Expectations

While liposuction is an effective procedure, it’s helpful to keep realistic expectations. Liposuction is not a skin tightening procedure. It is also not possible to remove intra-abdominal fat (unhealthy fat around the organs). If you don’t already do so, it is recommended that you adopt a healthy lifestyle to maximize your results and maintain them.

7. Post-Operative Garment 

If you are given a compression garment, be sure to wear it as directed by your surgeon. It is very beneficial to help reduce swelling and contribute to your overall result. 

8. Take Prescribed Medication

Any medication prescribed to you is going to be beneficial to your recovery experience. Take them only as directed, and they will make it easier to rest and relax while you heal. Common medications include an antibiotic, pain medication, and an anti-inflammatory. 

9. Be Aware of Potential Complications

Even though you should be relaxing during this time, you will want to be aware of the possible complications that can occur after your procedure. If you are experiencing worsening fever, pain, or swelling, these may be signs of infection. In addition to possible infection, there are other complications that can arise during your recovery. Leg pain, chest pain, and shortness of breath can all be signs of a pulmonary embolism or blood clot. While rare, it’s still important to be aware of the signs so you can contact a medical professional before the symptoms worsen.

10. Avoid Taking a Bath

Even though a nice warm bath sounds like a relaxing and helpful way to heal, you will have to avoid bathing and still water until your doctor tells you it’s fine to do so.

11. Avoid Drinking Alcohol and Smoking

It’s recommended that you avoid drinking and smoking before and after your liposuction procedure. Usually, it’s expected that you do not smoke 4 weeks prior to and 4 weeks following your procedure.  Alcohol can make it difficult to determine the correct dosage of anesthesia needed for your procedure, putting you at risk. It also dries out your skin, making it harder to seal your incisions and increasing the risk of scarring.

12. Keep Track of Your Progression

Knowing the stages of recovery will help you in determining if you are progressing well. It will also help you be more aware of anything that may be off, which can be discussed with your doctor to make sure you are still healing properly.

13. Have Patience 

It’s normal to be excited about seeing the results of your liposuction procedure. For those with more significant fat removal, the result can be seen after the bandages are taken off. For others with mild fat reduction, it may take more time due to swelling. It is common to heal with asymmetries. It will take time for this to resolve. Massaging may be suggested to help advance the healing.  Be patient and kind to your body as it recovers. The results will be well worth the wait!

 Schedule a Consultation

If you haven’t committed to liposuction surgery yet, or have more questions about the recovery process, Dr. Cruise can help! He has the experience and knowledge to answer all of your questions and provide great results. If you are in the Newport Beach, CA area and would like to get in contact, call us at 949-446-1421 or fill out an online form.