Blog Article
What to Expect for Your Liposuction Recovery Timeline
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that permanently reduces fat from certain areas of the body. As a surgery, there is a recovery period afterward that every patient must go through before they can fully enjoy their results. If you’re considering liposuction and want to know more about what happens after liposuction, here is what you can expect during recovery.
The exact details of the liposuction recovery timeline vary somewhat from patient to patient. This is because every individual’s healing capacity is different and the location and extent of fat removal is different for each patient undergoing the procedure. In general, liposuction patients can expect the following.
Surgery Day (After the Surgery)
After the surgery, you will be discharged home to rest. You will be wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling during recovery. You may have some temporary reactions to the general anesthesia, such as grogginess, chills, nausea, or vomiting. These should subside by the end of the day. As the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort in the treated area. Pain medications can be taken to improve your comfort levels and help you rest.
The Next Few Days After Surgery
For the next few days, you will need to rest at home and focus on letting your body recover. You may have some drainage from the incisions, which you will need to clean with a gentle soap and cool water. Continue to wear your compression garments to reduce swelling during recovery.
Avoid strenuous activities, smoking, and drinking alcohol, as these can delay healing and increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Some swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the surgery site are to be expected; these may worsen over the first few days after surgery but will begin to improve soon.
One Week After Surgery
Approximately one week after your procedure, you will have a follow-up appointment to monitor your progress. Your stitches will probably be removed at this appointment. Continue wearing your compression garments as instructed.
Most people feel well enough to return to work and most other normal activities by one week after surgery. However, you should listen to your body. Continue to avoid any strenuous activities, especially heavy lifting and related exercises, for a few more weeks. Future follow-up appointments will be scheduled as needed.
Two Weeks After Surgery
The majority of bruising and discomfort will have resolved by this time, but you will likely still have some swelling. You should feel well enough to resume most normal activities by this time. Continue to avoid any strenuous activities so as not to overdo it and set yourself back on the recovery. Continue wearing your compression garments for as long as you have been instructed.
Three Weeks After Surgery
You should be feeling close to your pre-surgery self by this time. As you feel well enough, gradually reintroduce light exercises a little at a time while continuing to avoid strenuous exercises. Most of the swelling will have resolved by now, but some residual swelling may persist for a few more weeks. Continue wearing your compression garments for as long as you have been instructed.
Four to Six Weeks After Surgery
By this point, you should be pretty much back to normal. You should be able to reintroduce more strenuous physical exercises a little at a time, but be sure to listen to your body and take it easy if you feel like you need to.
All things considered, your liposuction recovery should be generally short and smooth! Follow your doctor’s instructions for post-operative care to ensure a smooth recovery. Should you have any questions, please ask them at your follow-up appointments or call the office directly at any time. For more information about liposuction recovery, please call (303) 232-8585 or contact us online today.
