How to Recover After Liposuction

If you are currently contemplating liposuction, you might find yourself wondering what goes on after the procedure. You want to know how long you might have to take off work and how to lower the risks of complications. This article will cover all that and more.

The reality is every patient's recovery after liposuction is unique. Each person has a distinctive tolerance for pain and how their body recovers from damage. The type of liposuction technique used, the quantity of fat extracted, the location worked on and the type of anesthetic used often have an effect on the recovery process as well.

Recovering from liposuction

Here is the general timeline for patients recovering from liposuction:

1. First few days after liposuction

This is when most patients experience the most pain and discomfort. Drains might be connected to prevent fluids from accumulating in the areas worked on. The pain can be managed with over-the-counter painkillers and prescription medication. The patient might also have to wear a compression garment which might hinder their mobility.

Patients are advised to keep physical activity to a minimum during this period.

2. The first couple of weeks after surgery

Patients will continue to experience pain and discomfort during this period, but it should be a lot less than it was during the first few days. Patient's whose jobs are not physically demanding should be able to return to work during this period. The patient will continue to benefit from wearing compression garments.

3. Week 3 to week 5 after surgery

The pain and discomfort should have subsided by this point. There might still be slight swelling and bruising around the area worked on. The incisions should have fully healed and the patient should be able to perform moderately intense activities. Strenuous activities should still be avoided at this point.

4. Six weeks and beyond

Most of the bruising and swelling should be gone at this point, making the results of the treatment very visible. The patient will no longer need to wear a compression garment and they can partake in physically demanding activities.

Speeding up the recovery process

Following the instructions provided by the doctor speeds up the recovery process. Patients should make it a priority to show up for follow-up appointments and get lots of rest during the first few weeks after the surgery. Other things patients can do to speed up their recovery include:

• Abstaining from medication that thins the blood, like aspirin and ibuprofen
• Patients should also refrain from caffeinated items, tobacco products and alcohol
• Drinking lots of water. A properly hydrated body heals faster than a dehydrated one
• Consume a healthy diet that limits fats, sugars and salts and is rich in protein, vitamins and antioxidants
• Consume an apple or slice of pineapple each day. These fruits contain quercetin and bromelain, two substances that reduce swelling
• Avoid soaking in a tub for the first few weeks

You decide how your recovery goes

Take good care of yourself during the recovery stage and you will keep pain and discomfort to a minimum. Stop by our clinic for more tips on speeding up the recovery process.

Request an appointment here: https://paulcdillonmd.com or call Paul C. Dillon, MD Inc at (847) 429-3185 for an appointment in our Schaumburg office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.