How Long Is Recovery From Liposuction? - Tenley Lawton, MD

Liposuction Recovery 

Before your treatment, Dr. Lawton will provide full details of how you should prepare for the liposuction procedure, which can help speed up the recovery process and deliver the greatest levels of comfort throughout. 

Liposuction is normally an outpatients procedure, meaning you can return home on the same day to begin your recovery. While the results are technically seen right away (as the fat cells are gone forever), the body does need time to recuperate as it is likely that some blood cells and tissues will be sucked away with the fat cells. Expect to see swelling in the first few weeks.

There is some fluctuation in recovery time from person to person, as well as the anatomical location (abdomen, thighs, buttocks, etc.) of the treatment. As a general rule of thumb, the body needs two weeks to repair itself. Patients can anticipate the following stages:

• Days 1-3: You can expect moderate pain and discomfort around the surgical site, which can be treated with medications and general pain relief. A compression garment will be wrapped around the treatment area too.
• Days 3-7: The pain should start to fade during this time, although it’s important to keep movements to a minimum and avoid any strenuous work. 
• Days 8-14: The soreness levels should fall further during weeks 1 to 2, and you may be in a position to remove any bandages. Any side effects, such as redness should start to fade too. Most people can return to work after the first week.

After this, you should see a continued reduction in pain, which also enables you to restore movements and begin to lead a normal life once more. Most patients can lead a fairly normal life, except for heavy physical activity, after two weeks. By the five-week mark, the discomfort should be gone completely, although Dr. Lawton can provide support if you have any concerns.

Am I a Candidate for Liposuction?

If you are unhappy with your overall size, or cannot seem to get rid of stubborn fat from a certain anatomical location, liposuction is a great solution to achieve the body of your dreams and can be coupled with a tummy tuck to get the dream look. However, prime candidates should meet basic health requirements while being no more than 20% over their ideal weight. 

Crucially, anybody undergoing liposuction procedures should be prepared to follow the treatment with healthy lifestyle changes to maintain the results. Dr. Lawton is a board-certified surgeon who can provide further insight into this aspect during your consultation.