It is essential that after liposuction you do not take off your compression garments other than to shower or for other necessary activities, unless your surgeon advises otherwise. Vigorous exercise should also not be performed straight after liposuction and you should not smoke for 3-6 weeks after the surgery.
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.
Thus, a patient who has liposuction on a total of 4 areas may not miss any time off from work if only two areas are treated at a time, and the two surgery days are at least one month apart. In contrast, after liposuction of four areas on a single day, a patient may require one week of bed rest and recuperation at home.
Approximately 1 to 2 weeks following your procedure, the swelling will change to firmness that may persist for about 3 months following your procedure. This firmness indicates that the firmer areas are healing, and your new, slim physique is on its way.
In other words, fibrosis is a set of imperfections that you can observe after liposuction and are described as painful hard lumps under your skin where liposuction has been done. It can also appear as large pores, tissue discoloration and uneven areas.
Swelling usually starts to go down by the end of the first week but wearing the compression garments should continue until week four or as otherwise directed. Some degree of swelling may last for as long as six weeks, but within a few days, you should be comfortable enough to return to work.
You can expect to see your final lipo results roughly four to 12 weeks post-op. The more excess fat you have removed, the longer it will take your skin to adjust to your new contours.
Other red flags include fever beyond post-op day two, confusion, shortness of breath, chest pain, asymmetric calf or ankle swelling, severe pain that can't be controlled by prescription meds, and unusual drain output.
With liposuction you can lose about 2 sizes. 6 to 7 litres of fat can be removed at most, depending on which areas you are having treated. Liposuction is especially suitable if you want to reduce local accumulation of fat that dieting and plenty of exercise have been unable to shift.
While swelling is usually the worst in the 2 – 3 days following treatment, it should start to subside after that. However, the area will likely be swollen for up to three weeks. Normal activities can typically be resumed after around ten days, depending on the extent of the procedure.
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.
Drinking plenty of water helps control hunger, while supporting healthy digestion and metabolism. You can also enjoy fresh fruit and vegetable juices that do not contain added sugars. Sparkling water is another beverage option to consider integrating into your diet after liposuction surgery.
No alcohol, tea, coffee, or carbonated drinks should be consumed for at least 3 days after surgery. NO sport drinks (Gatorade), vegetable juice (V8), or other high salt drinks. Salt will cause swelling.
After 2 Weeks: By now most of the swelling has typically subsided but you may still see irregularities. You may also begin to notice loose skin in the areas treated with liposuction. This is normal and your skin will continue to tighten over the next 2-3 months.
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.
Post-op soreness and bruising are typically almost gone by one month post-op, and swelling should be dramatically reduced—your new, slimmer body contours are taking shape, and while results won't be final for a couple more months, they're pretty close!
Without lymphatic massage, the inflammation can evolve into fibrosis (a permanent hardening of the tissue) or a seroma (pocket of blood) can form. Dr. Lee recommends lymphatic massage after liposuction to make sure patients get the best possible results.
After undergoing liposuction, you will need to exercise regularly to tone your physique. Simple cardio for 45 minutes every day such as walking, running on the treadmill, jogging and zumba will firm up your skin. Regular exercise will also allow the nutrients to reach your skin more readily.
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.
It is quite common to feel fatigued after surgery, regardless of whether it was a minor or major procedure. This is because your body expends a lot of energy afterward trying to heal. There is an immune response that kicks in, which can be physically draining as well.
Pain varies considerably from person to person. For most, it feels like having a giant bruise in the area that was treated. It shouldn't be so severe that it keeps you from concentrating on other things (reading, watching TV, walking, etc.).