At Advanced Liposuction Center our talented Monroeville plastic surgeons are highly skilled at liposuction but as the patient, you are able to have a significant impact on the rate at which you recover.

Below are 7 tips for a smooth and successful liposuction recovery:

  1. Make sure you understand and follow all post-operative instructions. Your cosmetic surgeon will give you a sheet of instructions for post-op care. You should go over all of them before you leave the office. It’s a good idea to have the person who is driving you home be present when the surgeon is explaining them. Follow all instructions to the letter.
  2. Your recommended recovery time will depend on the amount of fat that was removed and your overall health. Ask the surgeon ahead of time how much down time you will need and plan accordingly. Take time off from work and reschedule any appointments. Stock up on nutritious, easy to fix foods and plan some activities that are not physically demanding. Now is a great time to watch movies you’ve missed or catch up on your scrapbooking.
  3. Wear compression garments. Don’t try to shortcut this essential component of your recovery. Think of compression garments as helping your body mold to its new shape. It’s essential for achieving the best long-term results. Have a few properly-sized garments on hand so you don’t have to deal with laundry during the first couple of days post-op.
  4. Take the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.
  5. Use pain medication as needed and at the correct dosage. Trying to “tough it out” without painkillers can keep you from getting the rest you need initially after your procedure.
  6. Start walking as soon as you can after liposuction. Don’t overdo it however, and avoid heavy physical activity and exercise until you get the go ahead from your surgeon.  Getting up and walking for a few minutes will help to increase circulation, which can help to reduce swelling and hasten the healing process. Some people have problems following liposuction because they are overly inactive. Even if you don’t want to or can’t overexert yourself, you must move. Blood clots can be harmful if they are not recognized and treated swiftly if you remain still.

Every hour, try to stand and move around your house; this will help you recover quickly and your body will reward you.

7. Watch for signs of complications. Change the dressing over your incision daily, as directed. Look for the following warning signs:

  • Increased redness, swelling or bruising
  • Significant or sudden increase in pain
  • Nausea and vomiting and/or headache
  • Fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Discharge that is green or yellow or that has a foul odor
  • Excessive bleeding that is difficult to stop
  • Loss of movement or altered sensation in the area where the liposuction was done

8. Don’t Soak

Taking a bath after surgery may sound appealing because it would help you feel better, but your doctor will not advise you to take even a shower.

Your doctor will most likely apply a waterproof bandage to the incisions, but this does not mean you can use hot baths or showers.

If you soak in water and your surgery cuts become wet, you risk developing a dangerous infection. That is, you must refrain from showering for at least two weeks, during which time your wounds will heal completely.

Additionally, if you do not feel comfortable taking baths, gently wash your face and hands but do not immerse the injured region.

Report any of these symptoms to the office at once.

Does Liposuction Help You Lose Weight?

FDA guidelines set a five liter (or 11 pound) maximum fat removal threshold for liposuction weight loss. Although an initial glance could suggest that an 11-pound weight loss is not considerable, it’s vital to keep in mind that liposuction targets and eliminates only pure body fat. Meanwhile, the loss of fat-free mass accounts for up to 25% of weight loss via diet and exercise.

A greater upper limit for liposuction fat removal or a total overhaul of liposuction laws that results in a sliding scale based on a patient’s BMI may arise from medical experts’ pushback on this limit in the near future.

How should a patient get ready for a liposuction procedure?

On the days leading up to liposuction, your surgeon will give you instructions. Ask a family member or friend you can trust to drive you to and from the surgery center and to help you with postoperative care. Aspirin and other blood-thinning medications should be ceased before to the surgery. Blood tests are performed beforehand to make sure you are a good candidate for general anesthesia. No food or liquids should be ingested on the day of surgery for roughly 12 hours before the scheduled time of the procedure.

Conclusion

To lessen puffiness and hasten recovery, compression garments are worn. For optimum healing, you can schedule any particular care with your surgeon.

Depending on your circumstances, the surgeon may just require one or two post-surgery appointments to ensure that everything is healing as planned or, if many areas were treated, you may need multiple follow-up visits. You and your care team will be on the lookout for any post-surgical fluid accumulation in the areas treated after your liposuction operation. For a good, long-lasting flat outcome, fluid pockets that are present can be easily aspirated during a follow-up visit.

If you have any questions about your post-operative care or activities following a liposuction procedure, don’t hesitate to contact us at 724-683-7581.