7 Steps to Take to Recover from Liposuction Surgery

Whether you’ve waited a long time or only had a quick change of heart when it comes to undergoing liposuction surgery, the procedure and eventual results you’ll undergo and receive are probably the same as other people who’ve experienced the same. In addition, the recovery you’ll need should be the same. Now, we’ll talk about seven (7) steps anyone who has experienced liposuction surgery can take in recovering from this procedure. Read until the end to know more and how it can help you.

What is Liposuction Surgery?

Liposuction surgery is the second most common surgical cosmetic procedure across the U.S. It involves removing fat cells from the body. This famous body sculpting treatment eliminates stubborn fat from different body parts, including the abdomen, back, buttocks, flanks, under the chin, upper arms, and more. 

Even with healthy diets and regular exercises, removing stubborn fat pockets from such areas can be challenging. Since it is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery techniques, liposuction surgery can remove stubborn bulges.

Recovery Time

Patients, after liposuction, can go home the same day as their surgery. How long your recovery time depends on how much you removed fat and how large your treatment area was. Most people return to work only after a few days, with others needing a whole week’s rest. 

Some forms of discomfort are pretty standard during recovery periods. However, these inconveniences can be easily managed using prescription pain medications provided by your doctor or healthcare provider. Expect some bruising and swelling that eventually diminishes after a few weeks.

Compression garments are also given for you to use for your first month of recovery to ensure your healing happens correctly towards the best results. Practitioners will answer any questions or concerns regarding the recovery process, providing you with the necessary instructions.

Seven Helpful Steps for Liposuction Surgery Recovery

As you experience some pain during liposuction recovery, eventual recovery soon follows. Follow these seven (7) helpful post-surgery routines while faithfully taking your medications toward a safe recovery.

Step #1: Get Enough Rest

• The length of recovery time required from liposuction surgery will be based on the size of your treated area.
• Prepare your bedroom with all the pillows required and a comfortable mattress top.
• Ensure your sleeping area is always kept clean; your sheets and other linens are changed regularly.
• Plastic or rubber sheets under your sheets help prevent mattress staining because of possible leaking after your liposuction.

Step #2: Wear Compression Garments

• Before your surgery, compression garments may be needed and will be provided by your doctor if ever. If not, purchase garments in advance with designs suitable for the area(s) being treated.
• After your surgery, you will apply compression bandages to the surgical area, but you may still need your compression garments. These compression items help keep pressure on your treated areas, inhibit bleeding, and maintain the created contours from the surgery.
• Compression bandages are worn for a few weeks, but you may wear compression garments a bit longer. Doctors will advise you about this information.

Step #3: Take Your Medication

• Doctors recommend some prescription medication for you to take while recovering from liposuction surgery.
• Usually, antibiotics are given depending on your doctor and the treatment. Taking antibiotics requires completion of the whole course prescribed for infection prevention.
• The swelling would likely occur in the surgical area, so doctors may prescribe medication for this incident. You can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen, over-the-counter pain relievers if you’re not given any prescriptions. Ibuprofen helps alleviate the swelling.
• Bruising will also happen, which should be no surprise after liposuction. Underlying tissues that have been damaged will most likely be a collection of blood in the area. But these occurrences disappear like bruises do from a blow and dissipate over time.
• Wear your compression garments to help with the swelling. Expect two (2) to six (6) weeks for the swelling and bruising to disappear completely.

Step #4: Be Always On the Move

• Start walking at gentle paces as soon as possible. If you don’t keep it moving, blood clots may happen, which can have severe to fatal implication. Walk daily to enhance your wound healing.
• Increase your exercise level once you get a signal from your doctor, but don’t push it.
• Include regular cardio and strength training in your exercise routine when your doctor permits you.

Step #5: Care for Your Incision

• Your stitching may need to be removed, which may also be the type your body can absorb. Dissolvable ones require no removal. Make sure to follow the order from your doctor about your stitches.
• Keep your liposuction incision(s) covered for a couple of days, changing bandages occasionally.
• Shower 48 hours after your liposuction once you are permitted. But make it quick so as not to affect your wound recovery and promote infection. 
• Place clean bandages on immediately after showering, and make sure to put your pressure garments back on.

Step #6: Look Out for Complications

• If you see an increase in redness, swelling, or bruising, significantly increasing pain, this may indicate the development of infections. Any yellow or green discharge oozing or foul smells from the surgical area can already signify localized infection.
• Headache, nausea, vomiting, or a high fever can also have severe implications and must be dealt with immediately.
• Expect a numbing sensation in the surgical area after your liposuction, but something is wrong once it increases or you begin bleeding heavily from your incisions.
• Go to your doctor immediately when these instances happen. For severe conditions that can be life-threatening, make sure to rush to the nearest hospital right away or call for emergency transport.

Step #7: Maintain Habits of Healthy Eating

• When you undergo liposuction surgery, you remove fat cells permanently.
• Have a healthy diet, eat nutritious meals, and drink lots of water regularly. Include plenty of protein in your diet that can help with the healing.
• Maintain low sodium intake and avoid processed foods that contain loads of salt. Foods like chips, hamburgers, pizza and other salty foods are a few examples. Instead, opt for snacking on low-carb vegetables.

The Bottomline

You can enjoy the change you get from liposuction surgery without the hassle of recovery. It can take up to six (6) months before seeing the final results your procedure has in store for you. Once you recover, you will be happy and satisfied that you took these steps toward complete liposuction surgery.

Do you need more information about liposuction surgery, how it works, its results, and how to recover from it effectively? Our awesome friends at Roham Advanced Laser and Cosmetic Plastic Surgery can help you today. Visit them now! https://drroham.com