What to Expect After Liposuction: A Look at Recovery and Results

Liposuction is a popular cosmetic procedure that targets specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, breasts, hips, and arms, to remove excess fat and contour the body. However, it’s essential to understand that liposuction is not an overnight solution. It requires surgery, followed by an appropriate recovery period.

Here's a detailed breakdown of what you can expect during each stage of the recovery process.

1. Day 1: Immediately After Surgery

Post-Surgery Care:

•    After your liposuction procedure, you will be moved to a good single hospital room where you will be closely monitored for any potential complications from the anesthesia or surgery.  This monitoring period typically lasts for 24 hours.

•    During this time an IV drip and a painkiller drip will be given along with antibiotics. There may be a catheter to check urine output if the volume of fat removed is more. We also put a DVT pump to press calf muscles to prevent blood clotting in the leg veins.

•    You should expect some swelling, bruising, and soreness, which are normal after surgery. These symptoms are temporary and usually begin to resolve within 2-3 days.

•    There is very little wetness of the dressing at LaserCosmesis as we suture the tiny cuts made with stitches under the skin

•    Your one kin/ relative can stay in the room.

•    You will be given sips of water at night and a soft diet if you do not vomit. 

•    You should not try to sit up during this period otherwise you may get a headache.

After 24 Hours:

•    Next day the surgeon will check your vitals like pulse, B. P., and urine output. Once they are confident in your initial recovery, you will be discharged from the hospital.

•    It’s crucial to have someone available to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 48 hours to help with any needs during this initial recovery phase. You are asked not to remove the pressure garment till the third day is over. So no bath for three days. Read the Prep for Liposuction blog

Days 2-3: The Initial Recovery Phase

During the first few days post-surgery, you can expect moderate pain and swelling, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication. It's crucial to move as much as possible your activity during this phase—get plenty of rest, but also take short, gentle walks around your home to promote blood circulation and prevent blood clots. Your body needs time to start the healing process, so listen to it and avoid any strenuous activities. You may feel giddy when you pass urine. So do not lock the door and inform someone when you will be using the restroom. The garment has an open crotch. So you need not remove it for passing urine or stools.

You need to avoid sweets and drink lots of liquids in any form—Tea, coffee, juices, buttermilk, soups, etc.

1 Week: Gradual Improvement

By the end of the first week, you should start noticing some improvement. The initial pain and swelling will begin to subside, and you might feel more comfortable moving around. It’s recommended to take at least one week off from work or any outdoor activities to focus on recovery. Light activities can be resumed, and depending on your surgeon’s protocol, any sutures might be removed during this time. At LaserCosmesis, we do not remove any sutures as they are dissolving. However, don’t rush your recovery—while some individuals may feel ready to return to work within a week, it’s essential to get clearance from your surgeon before doing so.

We call you for the first check-up on Day 4 at the hospital where we teach you how to have a bath and wear the garment. You can notice the difference at this point.

You can usually join work after a week. Many ladies find it comfortable to do housework after 4-5 days.

3 Weeks: Noticeable Changes

Around the three-week mark, you should be healed enough to return to your normal exercise routines, albeit gradually. The swelling will continue to decrease, and you’ll start seeing more noticeable changes in your body contour. It’s important to continue wearing your compression garment as advised by your surgeon to help with the healing process and to achieve the desired shape.

1 Month: Settling In

By the end of the first month, most of the swelling, numbness, tingling, and any asymmetry or contour irregularities should have subsided. In some cases, issues like skin necrosis and seroma may still be present, but these should also be resolved. If there are burns they will be on the way to healing. While many individuals are fully healed by this point, some may need a little more time for complete healing.

Three Months After Surgery: Significant Progress

Three months post-surgery, most of the swelling should be gone, and your body contour will appear smoother. Your clothes will likely fit better, scars will begin to lighten, and your skin will continue to tighten. This is the stage where you’ll start seeing the more permanent results of your liposuction procedure.

Six Months After Surgery: Final Results

Six months after your liposuction, there should be no residual swelling, and your scars will have faded significantly. At this point, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise to preserve the results of your surgery. Liposuction provides a new contour, but maintaining it requires ongoing effort and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. In fact, you can enhance your results by training at the gym with a good personal trainer.

At Lasercosmesis, the tightening continues for up to one year as we use energy-based devices for liposuction. Then

You may need a touch-up for refinement for irregularity or a laser session for the scars if they have not subsided by now.

You can plan another session of liposuction on other body parts after 3-6 months depending on your recovery.

Conclusion

Liposuction recovery is a gradual process that requires patience and adherence to your surgeon’s guidelines. Understanding what to expect at each stage can help you prepare mentally and physically for the journey. Remember, everybody, heals differently, so it’s essential to listen to your body and consult with your surgeon regularly to ensure a smooth recovery and optimal results.