I get asked a lot about liposuction recovery – how long it takes, what should I do immediately following liposuction surgery etc, so I’ve compiled a list of questions that hopefully explain more about the liposuction recovery process, what to expect in the short term after your op, and let you know about other things you should and should not do.
How long do you need to have someone with you after the liposuction procedure?
The entire liposuction recovery process can take several weeks. You should have someone with you for the first 24 hours. During that time, you should never be left alone. You should make arrangements to have someone take you home, even if you use a car service or taxi. The person staying at home with you should remain at least until you have taken your first shower and dressed, and not leave you alone until 24 hours after the liposuction procedure.
Liposuction Recovery
What should you do in that first 24 hours of your liposuction recovery program?
The best thing to do is stay home and rest. You need to relax on the evening and the day after liposuction. However, you should not spend all your time in bed. You need to get up and walk around for at least a few minutes every hour, except when you go to sleep. This bit of activity fosters the healing process by helping more anesthetic fluid to drain out, which contributes to less bruising and increases your circulation, lessening the already low risk of developing blood clots.
When can you resume normal activity?
Most people can move around normally after two days.
How long does drainage from the insertion sites last?
It’s different with everyone, but it is normal to have some fluids draining out during the first one or two days, especially while you are walking around your house.
Is there anything special you should do if you had liposuction on your extremities?
If your arms, knees, or lower legs were treated, you must keep them elevated for the first 12 hours of liposuction recovery following surgery whenever you are not moving around. When you are at rest, your arms, knees, or lower legs have to be higher than your heart. You should do this at all times, except for the brief times when you are taking your walks, using the bathroom, or eating.
Is it common to have pain or discomfort?
You will probably feel sore for the first several days of your liposuction recovery, but as you wear the compression garment, you will find the discomfort lessens. If you are bothered, you can take Tyienol if your doctor has approved it.
Some people also have what we call “hot spots,” which are small areas near the treated sites that are sore. Ice can be used (10 minutes on, 20 minutes off) for the first few days. Thereafter, warm compresses might help lessen the discomfort. You can gently massage these spots (other than the neck) beginning five days after the liposuction procedure. In other cases, you can go to the doctor’s office for a warm external ultrasound treatment.
If you have any severe pain, which is quite rare, you should let your doctor know immediately.
What should you do if you have continuing pain, a fever, or other symptoms you don’t expect?
If anything happens that concerns you or that you think is unusual, you should call the doctor’s office right away. It’s extremely rare for patients to experience any serious side effects on the first day liposuction recovery. Even so, if you observe anything unusual, you should contact your doctor immediately and describe what is going on to be certain that nothing is wrong.
Will everyone have bruising and swelling?
Both are completely normal. Bruising might not appear for a few days, and swelling around the areas treated is always expected. Bruising and swelling can also occur in areas other than those treated. With liposuction on the lower belly, bruising and swelling can occur on the labia, penis, and scrotum; with lower legs, on the feet; and with upper arms, on the forearms. An athletic supporter can help men who have swelling in the scrotum during their liposuction recovery.
Is it common to feel dizzy during that first 24 hours of the liposuction recovery process?
You might feel dizzy if you stand up too quickly or move in a sudden or jerky manner. For mat reason, you should always get up very slowly from a chair, the bed, or the toilet and make sure that someone is standing right by you during that first 24 hours. This is especially a concern when you first remove the compression garment and fake your first shower.
Is there anything special you have to know about your diet for faster liposuction recovery?
During the first 24 hours of your liposuction recovery, you must drink at least a quart of water. During that same time period, you should also carefully avoid any beverages that have caffeine, including coffee, tea, and soda.
For the first two weeks, you should also limit foods that are high in salt, such as Chinese food and pizza, because salt is involved in liquid retention and can prolong the healing period.
What if you’re a smoker?
You should not smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes for at least the first week of your liposuction recovery program. You should also avoid secondhand smoke, because the smoke deprives your blood of oxygen, which could result in scarring.
Do you have to take any medication to help the liposuction recovery process?
Yes, you have to continue to take the antibiotics that were prescribed until you have finished taking the full prescription. If you were taking any medications that you did not have to stop for the liposuction procedure, you should just continue taking them. Most medications that were stopped for a week prior to the procedure can be resumed one week after the procedure, and those that were stopped two days before can be resumed two days after. Check with your doctor to be certain.
Do you need any extra vitamins when you’re healing?
If you don’t already take one, you should take a multivitamin every day for four weeks after the procedure. That will promote good healing during your liposuction recovery period.