It is important to stay hydrated after liposuction surgery. Therefore, patients should increase their water intake to at least 64 ounces every day. This will help reduce swelling following surgery, regulate digestion, and flush out harmful toxins.
Maintaining proper hydration is critical to prevent dehydration during recovery from liposuction. Typically, one should drink approximately eight glasses of water daily; however, after liposuction, your water intake should consist of 10-12 glasses daily.
Reduced hydration also interferes with healing because the nutrients needed for healing cannot get to the wounds at the surgical site. Water helps our blood transport nutrients, and to transport waste away from the cells. After surgery, more fluids may be necessary because of wound drainage, as with liposuction.
After the surgery your immune system is extremely weak, thus increasing the chances of an infection. Water helps keep these infections away and acts as a catalyst to your recovery. Furthermore, water helps your body get rid of toxins from the anesthesia.
What Are the Best Ways to Reduce Lipo Swelling? Doctors recommend several best practices to help keep swelling down after your liposuction procedure. These include wearing your compression garment, using ice packs in affected areas, staying hydrated, and in some cases, massages.
Drink plenty of water.
As mentioned earlier, sodium causes water retention and increases liposuction swelling. However, you can flush out the excess sodium from your system by drinking at least six glasses of water daily.
Fluid may drain from the cuts (incisions) for several days. The fluid will be bloody at first, but will turn clear in a few days. The area will probably be bruised and swollen for at least 10 to 14 days. You will be able to return to your normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable.
Some of the fluid injected will drain from the body via the liposuction entrance site for 24 to 48 hours. The remaining fluid will be absorbed by the body and passed out in the urine.
Following the procedure and for the next 48 to 72 hours the fat cells will drain their contents, thereby shrinking the cells. The contents are picked up by the lymphatic system, processed through liver and excreted through sweat and urine.
Keep in mind that most of this fluid is removed during the suctioning procedure, with the small remainder absorbed by the body and excreted in the urine the first 24-48 hours after surgery.
After a liposuction procedure, small tubes or drains are placed within the incision site to drain any excess fluid and blood. This prevents swelling of the operative area and also helps the surgeon check for internal bleeding at the surgical site.
The first 1-2 weeks of recovery after the procedure is when you will experience the most discomfort and swelling. Swelling will likely get worse throughout the first week, so take it easy and listen to what your body needs. Rest as much as possible and avoid any strenuous activities.
The Amount of “Safe” Liposuction Depends on Your BMI
“High-volume” liposuction is generally considered to be a maximum of five liters of fat, which equates to about 10 pounds. Most people will have an average of 2 to 4 liters of fat removed during liposuction, or anywhere from 5 to 8 pounds.
The fat breakdown for energy causes the odor that you may notice within the first few weeks to months after surgery, especially when your body is acclimating to your new diet.
Patients often experience a rapid weight gain following the procedure as the body aims to recoup fat and the affected areas will fill with fluid that the body uses to heal.
Keep incisions clean. Shower once or twice daily. First wash your hands, then wash incisions gently with soap and water; afterwards gently pat incisions dry with a clean towel.
If you have liposuction of the abdomen, you may have bruising, swelling and discoloration of the pubic area, as blood and other fluid may descend into the soft tissues in this area. This is normal, and is not cause for alarm.
Avoid Showers for First Few Days After Surgery
It's important for plastic surgery patients to avoid taking showers for the first 48 hours after their surgery. If water gets on the incision sites, it can lead to irritation and infection, making overall recovery longer and more difficult.
Without lymphatic vessels to drain away excessive lymph fluid, the fluid collects within the excavated spaces in the fatty created by the liposuction process.
Swelling: Some patients find they look bigger after liposuction than they did before. If this happens to you, don't worry. Liposuction can remove pounds of fat, but right after the procedure, fluid retention and swelling are typical. These post-surgical effects are temporary and usually resolve within a few weeks.
Soreness is usually the most intense 2 to 4 days after liposuction and then decreases steadily. The tenderness and soreness typically is quite bothersome for up to 4 weeks, but gradually subsides over the following next 4 to 8 weeks.
The majority of your discomfort and swelling will occur during the first 1 to 3 weeks following liposuction surgery. Once the first week has passed, however, you will notice that you begin to feel a little bit better each day.