Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess fat from specific areas of the body to improve contours and proportions. The treated areas play an important role in your mobility, posture, and daily activities, making it essential to be extra careful during the recovery phase to maintain their new shape and ensure optimal healing.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions is crucial for successful healing and helps you achieve the best possible liposuction results.
Post-Operative Instructions for Liposuction
It is essential to note that healing time after liposuction varies between patients. The areas treated, the amount of fat removed, and your overall health can impact recovery. Your surgeon may provide additional guidelines tailored to the specific procedure you have undergone to ensure the desired outcomes.
After the surgery
- Stay in bed and continue to rest for the next 24 hours. Only get up to go to the restroom with assistance.
- Sleep in the position your surgeon has recommended, based on the liposuction procedure performed.
- Make sure you do not put pressure on the surgical sites and the incisions. Keep your head and legs elevated for the first week. It is necessary to keep swelling down.
- Wearing a compression garment is a significant part of recovery after liposuction. When you wake up from your procedure, you will have your garment already on. This special garment supports the treated tissues, reduces swelling and fluid discharge, and helps your skin conform to your new contours by applying gentle pressure to the suctioned sites.
- You must wear this compression garment continuously for the first 6 weeks, even while sleeping, unless instructed otherwise by your surgeon. Take it off for a shower or to wash it.
- The more you wear this garment, the better results you will achieve. If it feels too tight or causes pain, adjust it to your comfort level, keeping it snug.
- The first few days are the toughest. You will find the swelling and discomfort gradually increasing over the first 3 days, and then they will subside. Don’t be alarmed if you feel discomfort.
Despite how you feel, movement is necessary. Even when you are lying in bed, move your arms and legs and take deep breaths to promote normal blood circulation.
Caring for your incisions
- Liposuction incisions are usually closed with dissolvable or self-absorbing stitches. They break down naturally within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Your incisions will be covered with a waterproof dressing, and do not require changing. Your surgeon will remove the dressing and apply Steri-Strips to your incisions on your first follow-up visit.
- It is essential to keep your incision sites clean and dry. Follow the wound care instructions as provided by your surgeon to prevent infections.
- Do not smoke or take any nicotine products after surgery. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which reduces the flow of blood and delays healing, increases the risk of infection, causes poor scarring, and jeopardizes the results of your surgery.
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun for several weeks after your liposuction. This is necessary to protect your newly treated skin from pigment changes and prevent the scars from darkening. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or greater when going outdoors and wear clothing that shields your skin from harsh sun rays.
- Initially, the scars will be red and raised, but they will lighten and flatten out over time.
What to expect?
- Pain – You will experience mild to moderate pain or soreness during the early recovery period. The treated areas may feel tender or tight, especially during movement or when pressure is applied.
- Swelling – Swelling is expected after liposuction. Maximum swelling occurs within about 3-5 days. It can last for weeks and in some cases months. It improves with intermittent rest and the use of compression garments. Keep your physical activity and exercise limited to prevent the swelling from worsening.
- Itching – Itching at the incision sites for the next few days is normal. Your doctor will recommend medication to relieve the discomfort. Avoid scratching the area.
- Sensory skin changes – Numbness and tingling sensations around the incision sites and throughout the liposuction areas are not unexpected as the small nerves in the skin are temporarily affected during the procedure. Most sensory changes resolve in 6 to 8 weeks, if not sooner.
- Scarring – Liposuction incisions are small, and the resulting scars are minimal. It may take up to a year for the scars to fully heal. Your surgeon will prescribe ointments, gels, and other treatments for proper scar management.
- Bruising – Bruising starts resolving in 10-14 days and the treated area may feel lumpy to touch. The discoloration and unevenness will fade with time as your body heals.
- Drainage – You may notice blood-tinged fluid draining from the incision sites for 24 – 72 hours after liposuction. It is normal as the body clears excess fluid used during the process. Use a gauze or a light pad to absorb this drainage. The amount of drainage gradually decreases over time.
What to eat?
- It is best to have a light, low-fat diet for the next few days after a surgical procedure. You can get back to your normal diet if you do not feel nausea or vomiting.
- Avoid greasy, spicy, heavy, and over-processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water. Surgery can cause dehydration, which can lead to nausea and dizziness. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to prevent dehydration and blood clotting.
- Stay away from alcohol for at least 2 to 3 weeks or until your doctor says.
Medications
- Take all your prescribed medications, including antibiotics and pain-relieving medications, as directed by your surgeon.
- Always take your medications with food to prevent nausea or vomiting.
- Only apply the scar gels or ointments prescribed by your doctor to avoid skin infections and other complications.
- Do not take any other medication without consulting your doctor first.
- Avoid taking your medication with alcohol.
Showering after liposuction
- You can take a shower on the second day after surgery. Ask someone to assist you in the shower, as you may feel lightheaded or dizzy due to anesthesia and medications.
- Remove the support garment and the dressings. Leave Steri-strips over your incisions. If they come off on their own, you can put new ones in, as instructed by your surgeon.
- Wash yourself gently, using a mild soap. Pat dry gently using a towel. Do not rub.
- If there is a lot of drainage, put a gauze over the incisions before putting your compression garment back on.
- Do not submerge your incisions in water for at least 2 weeks.
- Stay away from hot tubs, baths, swimming pools, or Jacuzzis until your incisions have completely healed or you have been cleared by your surgeon.
Massage
Your surgeon may recommend lymphatic drainage massage after liposuction to support healing and improve the final contours of the treated areas, depending on the extent of the procedure. Massage is usually started a few days to 1 – 2 weeks after surgery, as the discomfort gradually subsides, to decrease swelling and prevent or soften lumps and firmness under the skin.
Massage also improves circulation and helps the body remove excess fluid. Gentle massage once or twice a day for 20 minutes is usually sufficient to smooth out any irregularities. It is best to find a trained massage therapist for optimal results.
Physical activity
- Recovery after liposuction is slow, and it is important to resume daily activities in stages depending on the number of areas treated and the level of discomfort.
- Avoid all strenuous activity for the next few weeks as your incisions heal. However, you must stay active, get out of bed, and take short walks around the house to reduce the risk of deep clots in your veins and decrease swelling.
- Continue to wear compression garments as instructed by your surgeon to reduce swelling and support healing.
- Avoid pushing, pulling, bending, or lifting more than 5 pounds for at least 6 weeks to prevent stretching your incisions. Swelling can worsen with strenuous activities, so make sure you don’t overdo things.
- Most patients can return to work after 7 – 10 days as their body recovers and energy levels improve. Start work part-time and gradually increase your hours, depending on how you feel.
- You can resume normal activities and more intense exercise after 4 to 6 weeks. By this time, the final results become more noticeable as the tissues settle and heal completely.
Everyone heals differently. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for a safe and smooth recovery.
Call your doctor’s office if you notice unusual symptoms, signs of infection, or have any questions about recovery, especially if your liposuction was combined with other procedures. You will get the best advice on caring for yourself during this period and achieving the body contours you desire.
Conditions that require emergency care
Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Intense pain that does not go away with pain-relieving medication
- Sudden onset of significant swelling in the treated or surrounding areas
- Redness that also feels hard to touch
- Excessive bleeding from the incision site
- Incisions that seem to be opening
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Signs of allergic reaction, such as itching or rash
- High fever
- Breathing issues
- Shakes and chills
Timely medical attention can save you from life-threatening complications and help you with recovery.