Liposuction Recovery – What To Expect

Liposuction recovery from surgery generally takes about six weeks, although it can vary depending on the exact procedure and whether it’s surgical or non surgical. The pain level after the procedure varies as well, although most people don’t experience the kind of pain normally associated with other surgeries like hysterectomy or hernia. It’s normal to need pain medication for the first few days.

If your procedure was performed under a local anesthetic you’ll be allowed to go home within about an hour. If it was performed under general anesthesia you’ll wait approximately three hours to be released.

Liposuction recovery periods require that you should have someone with you for the first twenty four hours you are home. The first six to twelve hours you’ll feel groggy and need help getting around and taking your medicine. You will probably experience some nausea during this time, so it’s a good idea to take your nausea medicine an hour before you take your pain pill. You’ll also be prescribed antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

You will also be wearing a compression garment over the area where the liposuction was performed. Expect to wear this garment twenty four hours a day for the first three weeks and during the daytime for the next three weeks. Don’t be alarmed by the numbness of the area of your procedure. This is normal for the first six to eight weeks following liposuction.

Also, as part of your liposuction recovery, most physicians will recommend removing the compression garment after the first two days to take a shower. Be sure to have someone with you when you first remove the garment, because many patients experience faintness.

There will be some swelling in the area where you had your procedure and that’s normal. There may also be some seepage from the incision and this too is normal. Because of this, you should take precautions to avoid staining bedclothes during the first twenty four hours.

You will have one quarter inch incisions that will heal quickly and become mostly invisible. It’s normal to feel some discomfort and most patients compare it to a deep bruise or the pain they feel after an intense workout.

You should try to get up and move around as soon as possible to prevent blood clots and promote healing. You can expect to resume your normal activities within five to seven days.

The number one thing you can do to speed up your liposuction recovery is to massage the area deeply three times a day. This will promote healing and help prevent any kind of stippling or dimpling in the area.

These recommendations and tips apply to all surgical liposuction procedures.  There are many alternative procedures as well that have less recovery periods and, generally, far less expense.