Liposuction Recovery - What to Expect

If you are considering liposuction, but worry about how long it will take to recover, you may be surprised to learn that it does not take your body very much time to heal. If you have had the surgery already, you may be experiencing some unexpected symptoms during the healing process. Each individual patient is different, and some people will experience certain symptoms for longer than others. However, there are some common side effects that most patients will experience, as well as common stages of the recovery period to expect.

In most cases, liposuction is performed under local anesthetic and the patient is able to have someone drive him or her home on the same day. During the first 24 hours following surgery, you will need to stay home and rest as much as possible. Short walks are recommended for exercise, but only for a few minutes each hour. The exercise will allow any fluids that were injected to drain and increase your circulation to minimize bruising. The fluids typically take one or two days to fully drain. If your procedure was performed on the arms or lower legs, you will need to keep those extremities elevated during the first 12 hours. This means they must be higher than your heart when you are lying or sitting down. You can still perform the same short exercises, but elevate the arms or legs when resting.

The treated area will most likely feel sore and be tender to the touch. Some bruising and swelling in the treated areas is also common. You may even have some swelling in other nearby areas of your body. The swelling will distort the visible results of the procedure, and you should not expect to fully see the effects of your surgery for as much as six months. Your doctor will typically advise you to wear a compression garment for the first few weeks of recovery. This garment is used to support the treated tissues and skin while they adjust and reshape. The doctor will also probably prescribe antibiotics, and you will need to take all of the prescription to reduce the risk of infection. If you take other medications regularly, your doctor will advise you when to stop and resume taking them.

Even though you may not be completely comfortable because of the swelling and soreness, you will still usually be able to return to work within the first couple of weeks. If your liposuction was performed on a larger area, you may need more time at home. In most cases, however, patients return to their normal daily activities in one or two weeks. After about one month, any swelling and numbness in the treated area should go away. It will still take some time for your skin to tighten and scars to heal, so you can expect to see the full effects of the surgery after about six months.

There are some steps you can take to help your body heal faster. The first is to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeinated beverages. You should also stay away from fatty and salty foods, and take multivitamins daily to promote healing. To avoid infection, do not take long baths or go swimming. Start eating healthy and exercising regularly to prevent weight gain. The best advice to follow after your liposuction is your doctor's advice. He or she will provide you with the information you need for a speedy, successful recovery.