Tips for liposuction quick recovery

Liposuction, sometimes called “body contouring”, is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the world.  In this procedure, a plastic surgeon removes excess body fat by suction using special medical equipment.  Target areas for liposuction are the hips, the buttocks, the thighs, the arms, the abdomen, and the breasts.  If you have had or are thinking about liposuction, it is good to know that the liposuction recovery can be painful and take a while, but if you give yourself the opportunity to heal properly, you can enjoy the results of this procedure. 

Talk to your doctor about liposuction post-operative instructions

Liposuction treatment is an invasive procedure and can bring some complications. It is important to follow your doctor’s post-surgery instructions and ask any questions you may have. This can help you ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of liposuction complications.

You may want to ask your doctor about liposuction recovery time on your last appointment before the surgery so that you understand everything.

Since you may be too exhausted from surgery or anesthesia, make sure that your companion also listens to the doctor’s instructions carefully to take the appropriate action at the right time.

Rest enough after liposuction

Whether you have your surgery in a hospital or as an outpatient, you will need at least a few days of rest. In general, you can go back to work or school after a few days. Discuss how many days of rest you need with your doctor.

The liposuction recovery period is directly related to the size of the area being operated on and the amount of fat your doctor has removed. If a larger area has been treated, you may need more time to relax.

Prepare your house and bedroom before going to the operating room. A cozy environment including a comfortable mattress, pillow, and bedding can help you rest and heal more effectively.

Wear compression clothing after liposuction

After the surgery, your doctor will put on bandages and possibly compression clothing. Wearing bandages and compression clothing can help maintain pressure on the area, stop bleeding, and maintain the area of the surgery.

Some doctors do not provide compression clothing. You have to buy these either before or immediately after the liposuction procedure. You can find compression bandages and clothing in pharmacies and in medical shopping.

Wearing compression clothing after liposuction is important. It offers support after an operation and helps to reduce swelling and bruises and improve blood circulation, which can promote liposuction recovery.

You may want to buy compression clothing specifically for the area of ​​your body where you have had an operation. For example, if you got fat sucked off your thighs, you would want two compression garments that fit around each area of ​​your thigh.

You may have to wear your bandages up to two weeks after the surgery, while most people wear the compression garments for a few weeks.

Take antibiotics to avoid infection after liposuction

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics after the liposuction treatment to reduce the risk of infection. You must take all the prescribed antibiotics, otherwise, there would be complications.

Recent studies have shown that antibiotics are not absolutely necessary after liposuction, so check with your doctor. You may have a condition like herpes that requires you to take medication to prevent infection or an outbreak.

Control pain and swelling after liposuction with medication

You may experience pain, numbness, and swelling after the liposuction treatment. You can relieve pain and swelling with over-the-counter pain relievers or those prescribed by your doctor.

It is normal to feel numbness and tingling a few weeks after the operation. During this time, you may also have swelling and bruises. Most people need a week or two to feel better after the surgery, it depends on liposuction healing time.

You may have to take pain relievers for longer. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen can also help relieve swelling from a liposuction procedure.

Start walking as soon as possible after liposuction

It is important to start moving as soon as you can at a gentle pace. Walking can help prevent blood clots from forming in your legs, which can be fatal. Gentle movement can also reduce liposuction healing time.

Even though it is recommended that you walk as quickly as possible or exercise gently, you can only do more strenuous activities one month after the operation.

Take care of the liposuction incisions

Caring for the incisions properly can help minimize the risk of infection after liposuction. The incision can give off a little fluid for a few days. This is normal and some doctors insert a drainage tube to drain the fluid.

• Keep the wound covered according to the doctor’s instructions to change the dressing.
• Keep the area clean by changing the bandages as needed.
• You can take a shower after 48 hours, but you should avoid lying in the bathtub until the sutures are removed.
• Put on a clean bandage and compression clothing when you have finished showering.
• Do not expose the incision to the sun for at least twelve months.

Remove the liposuction sutures

Your body can digest some of the sutures, while others require you to see a doctor for removal. Have the sutures removed at the time recommended by the doctor.

Your doctor will tell you what kind of sutures you have when he gives you the instructions after the liposuction treatment.

If you have absorbable stitches, you don’t need to remove them. They disappear on their own. Watch for signs of liposuction complications

Swelling, pain, bruising and even drainage is normal after liposuction treatment. The operation has certain risks, so watch out for signs of complications such as an infection. This can help reduce the risk of developing serious complications that can lead to death. See a doctor straight away if you have any of these symptoms.

• The signs of infection are severe swelling, pain or heat on and around the surgical wound, pus or blood that runs out of the wound, and fever.
• If you have shortness of breath or have difficulty breathing, this may be a sign of fat embolism that may have developed when the fat was loosened and entered the bloodstream during the liposuction procedure.
• If you see a straw-colored fluid buildup where tissue has been removed, it is a sign of seroma. A seroma is a buildup of fluid under the skin that can cause pain or discomfort.
• If you have persistent discomfort, that is, a change in the feeling of the wound, go to the doctor. This could be permanent.
• If you notice that the skin around the wound changes color or peels, it may be a sign of skin necrosis, which means the skin is dying.

Be aware of when you will see the liposuction results

You may not see liposuction results immediately because of the swelling. It may also take a few weeks for the remaining fat to position itself, and you should expect contour irregularities during this time. However, you should be able to see the full results within six months of the surgery.

• Liposuction may not last forever, especially if you gain weight.
• You also need to have realistic expectations from liposuction surgery, otherwise, you may be disappointed when you see results are not as impressive as you expect.

Keep your weight in check for better liposuction results

Liposuction treatment permanently removes the fat cells, but gaining weight can change the results of the fat can return to the place where you had the surgery. Maintain a healthy weight so that the result of the liposuction surgery gives the look you want.

• The best way is to keep your weight stable. While gaining or losing a pound or two may not have much of an impact, a larger increase can change results significantly.
• Staying active and eating a healthy diet can help you maintain your weight.

Eat healthy to keep liposuction results

Healthy, balanced, and regular meals can help you maintain your weight and provide liposuction quick recovery. For example, foods with moderate fat content, complex carbohydrates, and many nutrients are best for your general health.

• Stick to a diet around 1,800 to 2,000 nutrient-rich calories a day, depending on how active you are.  
• You get the best results if you eat foods from the five main groups every day. The five groups are fruits, vegetables, cereals, protein, and dairy products.
• You need one to one and a half cups of fruit a day. You can eat whole fruits like raspberries, blueberries or strawberries, or drink pure fruit juice. Make sure you alternate the fruits so that you get a range of nutrients, and don’t process them. Eating a cup of pure berries, for example, is much better than eating berries on a cake.
• You need 2.5 to 3 cups of vegetables a day. You can eat whole vegetables such as broccoli, carrots or peppers or pure vegetable juice. Vary the vegetables so that you get a range of nutrients.
• Fruits and vegetables are an excellent source of fiber. Dietary fiber also helps you maintain your weight.
• You need between 150 and 180 g of grain a day, half of which should be whole grain. You get cereals and whole-grain cereals from foods such as brown rice, whole grain pasta or bread, oatmeal or cereals. Grain provides you with vital vitamin B, which helps to keep the digestive system up and running effectively.
• You need 150 to 195 g of protein a day. You can get protein from lean meats, including beef, pork, or poultry, from cooked beans, eggs, peanut butter, or nuts and kernels. Protein helps you build and maintain muscle.
• You need two to three cups or 240 g of dairy products a day. Dairy products include cheese, yogurt, milk, soy milk or even ice cream.
• Avoid excessive amounts of sodium (salt) in your diet, which is predominant in industrial foods. Your sense of taste wanes with age and you may want to salt your food. Try alternative spices like garlic or herbs to help prevent excess sodium and weight gain from water.

Avoid unhealthy food before and after liposuction

If you want to lose weight, it’s a good idea to avoid unhealthy eating or junk food. Many of them are full of fat and calories. Potato chips, nachos, pizza, burgers, cakes, and ice cream don’t help you lose weight.

• Stay away from starchy, refined carbohydrates like bread, crackers, pasta, rice, and baked goods. Eliminating these foods can help you maintain your weight
• Look for hidden sugar in the food choices that can cause you to gain weight. Sometimes you may be eating foods that unintentionally bring a lot of sugar into your body.

Do cardiovascular exercises to improve liposuction results

Medium intensity cardiovascular exercises can help you maintain and lose weight. Discuss your cardio training plan with your doctor and a certified fitness instructor before you start. They create the best plan for your skills and needs.

• You should do moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes all or most days of the week.
• If you are just starting out or need to do a lower intensity activity, walking and swimming are excellent alternatives.
• You can do any type of cardio workout to lose weight better. In addition to walking and swimming, consider running, rowing, cycling, or an elliptical trainer.
• Do exercises that strengthen you. In addition to cardiovascular exercises, weight training can also help you maintain your weight and accelerate liposuction results time.
• Try a yoga or Pilate’s class, either in the gym or on the internet. These lower intensity activities help strengthen and stretch your muscles while helping you keep your weight in check.