7 Steps To Take To Recover From Liposuction Surgery

All surgery will require recovery time. Here are 7 steps to take to ensure proper liposuction surgery recovery.

In 2020, liposuction was in the top five plastic surgery procedures, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Liposuction is not effective as a weight-loss method. Even if you eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, you may have deposits of fat collect in unwanted places such as buttocks, hips, thighs, and stomach. The aim of liposuction surgery is to reduce these areas for a more proportionate look.

As with any major surgery, liposuction carries some risks and you must follow your doctor’s advice regarding recovery. However, if you carefully follow these seven steps post-surgery, the risks will be minimized.

Seven Steps for Recovery from Liposuction Surgery

You will experience some pain during liposuction recovery. Following the appropriate post-surgery routine and faithfully taking your medications helps in a safe recovery.

Step 1: Get Plenty of Rest

Your doctor can tell you how much rest you need. The length of time required for surgery recovery will depend on the size of the area treated.

Before leaving for the surgery center, be sure your bedroom is ready with all the pillows required and a comfortable mattress top. You’ll want to make sure your sleeping area is kept clean and sheets and other linens are changed regularly. A plastic or rubber sheet under the sheets helps prevent mattrass staining due to leaking after your surgery.

Step 2: Wear Your Compression Garments

Before your surgery, your doctor will tell you if you need compression garments and if they will be provided. If they are not, you need to purchase garments in advance designed for the area(s) being treated.

After your surgery, the doctor will apply compression bandages to the surgical area, but you may also need to wear compression garments. These compression bandages and garments help keep pressure on the liposuction area, stop bleeding, and maintain the contours created by the surgery.

You will need to wear your compression bandages for a couple of weeks. The compression garments may be worn for a longer period. Your doctor will advise you about this.

Step 3: Take Your Medication

When you leave the surgery center, you will probably have some prescription medication you need to take for a while during your liposuction recovery.

Depending on the surgery and the doctor, you may have to take antibiotics. When taking antibiotics, you must complete the entire course prescribed to prevent infection.

You will likely have swelling in the surgical area and the doctor may prescribe medication for this. If you don’t get a prescription for pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is also helpful in alleviating swelling.

In most states, you can purchase CBD oil which is also very helpful with preventing infection and reducing inflammation.

After surgery do not be surprised if there is bruising. The underlying tissue has been damaged and there will most likely be a collection of blood in the area. This does disappear the same way a bruise from a blow will dissipate over time.

The swelling may make you look even larger in the area than prior to the surgery. This is normal as there will be an accumulation of fluids that will cause swelling.

Wearing your compression garments helps with swelling. Expect two to six weeks for the swelling and bruising to disappear.

Step 4: Keep Moving

You need to start walking at a gentle pace as soon as possible. Dr. Popp, from Popp Cosmetic Surgery, said, “You can walk as much as you want.” If you don’t keep moving, you may get blood clots, which can be fatal. Walking daily enhances wound healing.

You can increase your exercise level once your doctor gives you the go-ahead, but don’t push it.

When your doctor allows it, you can include regular cardio and some strength training in your exercise routine.

Step 5: Care for Your Incision

You may have temporary drains in the incisions to promote fluid drainage. The doctor will remove them soon after the surgery. You may have some stitching to close your incisions as well. In most cases of pure liposuction, there a no stitches.

The stitching may need to be removed or they may be the type that your body can absorb. The dissolvable ones do not need to be removed. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders regarding your stitches.

You may need to keep your incision(s) covered for a few days and change your bandages occasionally. Once again, follow your doctor’s orders carefully to prevent infection.

Showering 48 hours after your surgery is usually permitted, but don’t plan a nice long soak in the tub since that is not for wound recovery and may promote infection. Put clean bandages on as soon as you finish your shower and be sure to put your pressure garments back on.

Step 6: Watch for Complications

There are risks involved in this surgery, so keep your eyes open for any changes in the condition of the surgical area.

If you see an increase in swelling, bruising, or redness, or an increase in pain, this may indicate that you have developed an infection. Any yellow or green discharge or any bad smells coming from the surgical area can also be a sign of localized infection.

If you develop nausea, headache, vomiting, or a high fever, this is also serious and will have to be dealt with quickly.

You can expect some numbness in the surgical area after the procedure, but if this increases or you begin to bleed heavily from your incisions, this is an indication that something is wrong.

See your doctor immediately if any of these occur. In severe conditions that may be life-threatening, be sure to go to the nearest hospital immediately or call for emergency transport.

Step 7: Maintain Healthy Eating Habits

When you have liposuction surgery, you are removing fat cells permanently.

You need to eat healthy meals on a regular basis and drink plenty of water. You should include lots of protein in your diet to help with healing.

Keep your sodium intake low and stay away from processed food that contains a lot of salt. This includes pizza, hamburgers, chips, and other salty foods you may like to snack on. Instead, choose to snack on low-carb vegetables.

Enjoy the Change

It can take up to six months to see the final results after liposuction surgery. But when you are finished recovering, you will be happy you took this step.

Are you ready for liposuction or do you have questions? Contact Dr. Popp at (402) 391-4558 today.