What is the recovery from liposuction like?

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Answer

Because liposuction is not a major surgery, the recovery is a lot easier to withstand than most other surgeries. However, there are guidelines that need to be followed to ensure the patient�s safety as well as a positive outcome.

Most procedures use a local anesthetic, which does not require a prolonged stay in the surgeons office. Patients are required to have someone else available to drive them home and encouraged to have someone at home with them for the first 24 hours. Allow 18 hours after the procedure before driving or operating heavy machinery.

After the liposuction procedure, a compression garment will be put on. This garment is intended to encourage accurate drainage of incisions. The garment will need to be worn 24 hours a day for 3 to 6 days. Along with the compression garment, absorbent pads need to be worn to soak up blood and remaining anesthetic fluids. These pads need to be worn for 24 hours after all drainage has stopped. The compression garment needs to be removed once daily to enable the patient to shower, wash the garment, and change the pads.

It is recommended that you rest quietly for the first few hours after your procedure. You may opt for a walk a few hours afterwards. Normal physical activity can resume the following day, but you should wait 2 to 4 days before engaging in strenuous physical activity.

It is important to keep the incisions clean. Do not, however, soak in a tub, or go in a pool or the ocean for at least 7 days. If you experience severe itching, you may use Benadryl (following the instructions) or you may soak in an oatmeal bath, provided it is at least 7 days after the procedure.

Take all of the antibiotics prescribed to you. Extra strength Tylenol can be taken every four to six hours, but avoid aspirin and ibuprofen. If pain increases dramatically after 5 to 10 days, notify your surgeon. This could possibly be due to an infection.

Bruising, swelling, nausea, menstrual irregularities and temperature elevation are all normal occurrences immediately following liposuction and should subside.

Patients can usually plan on returning to work within a few days of the procedure, but should also expect to be uncomfortable and weary for several days afterward.

Answer

Liposuction is an easy procedure. I would not advise to go back to normal activity for at least 5 days. People will tell you different. But the longer you can stay down.... the less bruising you will have. I didn't bruise untill I went back to being on my feet for 6 hours a day. And I went back to work after 6 days. I had bruising... but it was minimal. The insicions do not seep like most people say. I had one gauze put on that was suppose to stay on till my 2 week post-op appointment. So ask your surgeon about these... it will save from having to change the gauze. I DO ADVISE TO WEAR YOUR COMPRESSION GARMENT. It is VERY uncomfortable. But it must be worn. I didn't wear mine and I swelled up really bad when I didn't have it on. I went back to wearing it and the swelling went down and so didn't the bruising. So be ready for it to be tight and VERY uncomfortable. But it is worth it in the long run to suffer:) Don't be so scared about the complications. If you read those closely you'll see the statistics. ANd I am usually the "worst case senerio". I had a pleasant experience from Liposuction and I would do it over again.

Additionally, you should expect to have to wear compression bandages, or a compression suit for about a month after surgery. Most patients don't like wearing the suit, but it's necessary in order to compress the areas of treatment. In essence, holes were created by the liposuction surgery, and they need to be held together so your body can heal into its new contours better. In some cases, drains are used temporarily, just beneath the skin, in order to drain any excess fluid or blood. The drains can be uncomfortable, but if used, are essential to the healing process.

First answer by ID1088351354. Last edit by LiposuctionExpert. Contributor trust: 50 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 75 [recommend question]