Liposuction recovery will need good recovery instructions, personalised advice – and patience!
After liposuction, the treated areas will require wound care (to care for the small incision sites), may require compression garments and can show some swelling and bruising for quite some time.
By following good recovery tips, your plastic surgeon’s advice and taking care of your body, you can help your body to sufficiently heal, minimise scarring and help swelling and bruising to subside faster.
In this blog, we’ll go over our top liposuction recovery tips and answer some frequently asked questions. Should you have any further questions about the procedure, please get in touch with our team, or book your consultation with Brisbane Plastic Surgeon Dr Perron.
What can you expect during recovery from liposuction?
Liposuction (Suction Assisted Lipectomy) typically takes about two hours to complete, involves small incisions, and requires the insertion of a cannula. The cannula is moved back and forth to help separate the fat cells from surrounding tissue, while suction removes the fat cells.
Your recovery will actually depend on the type of liposuction procedure you have had. Sometimes, liposuction can be performed with ultrasonic equipment (such as Vaser liposuction), which can influence the extensiveness of your recovery. Additional techniques like Vaser (to liquify fat cells before removal) may reduce recovery time, as it can help to prevent damage to surrounding tissue in the treatment area.
After your procedure, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days to recover. Sometimes patients will need to be monitored for longer after surgery, before they are able to return home to recover.
The details of liposuction recovery will vary from person to person, due to factors like treatment area, fat removal amount, and anaesthesia type.
Normal post-surgery side effects include swelling, bruising, and bleeding, usually subsiding within a few days after the procedure. Any pain after the procedure is usually manageable with prescribed medication. Wearing a post-operative garment is typically necessary for a few weeks.
Most patients can resume regular activities within a week, but exercise should be limited to walking until about six weeks. Normal exercise may be resumed after one month to six weeks if the patient is healing well. After surgery, a patient’s final results may take a few months to show, as swelling needs to subside.
You will be able to discuss what to expect during your recovery at your consultation when your surgeon begins to plan the details of your surgery.
Our top liposuction recovery tips
When you have your liposuction consultation with Dr Perron in Brisbane, you will receive detailed, personalised recovery advice.
Dr Perron will consider the details of your procedure and provide you with the most appropriate recovery instructions. Your personal needs (such as health factors, or lifestyle factors) can also be considered when planning your recovery.
Before you have your consultation, it might be helpful to familiarise yourself with what is typically involved during recovery after a liposuction procedure.
These are some of our important liposuction recovery tips to follow after your procedure.
- Wear your compression garment. Swelling in the treated after liposuction is normal, but can subside faster if you wear your compression garment according to instructions. Usually, you’ll be instructed to wear your compression garment full-time for the first two weeks of your recovery (day and night). Then, you will need to wear the garment for 12 hours a day for the following few weeks. The length of time (and how often) you will need to wear a compression garment for can depend on your level of skin elasticity, which Dr Perron will be able to assess. As well as helping swelling to subside, compression garments can also support the skin to retract in the treated area, preventing loose or excess skin after the procedure.
- Reduce your physical activity to light walking only. Walking can help to support blood flow and prevent certain complications (such as blood clots) after your procedure, however, strenuous exercise will need to be avoided. Generally, you will need to avoid strenuous exercise (including strenuous cardio and heavy lifting) for at least one month. Some patients may need less time or longer, depending on the extent of the liposuction procedure and other factors (such as how many areas were operated on).
- Closely follow wound care instructions to help your incisions heal. Following wound care advice, as provided by your surgeon, will help your incisions heal heal properly and minimise the risk of infection. Wound care can include keeping the incision sites clean and dry, as well as changing dressings as instructed. You may be advised to gently clean the incisions with mild soap and water, pat them dry, and apply ointments or other recommended products to support healing. You should also avoid picking at or scratching the incisions to prevent disruption of the healing process and scarring.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is essential for aiding your body’s healing process and reducing the risk of complications. Generally, you should be aiming to drink at least eight glasses of water a day to stay properly hydrated.
- Follow a balanced diet. Fuel your body with nutritious foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein to promote healing and general health. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your meals. If you need personalised nutrition advice, we recommend organising this before your procedure, so that you can prepare for your recovery in advance.
- Take prescribed medications, as directed. Follow your surgeon’s instructions for taking any prescribed medications, including pain relievers and antibiotics. Taking these medications as directed can help to manage discomfort and prevent infection.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol. Smoking and alcohol can interfere with your body’s ability to heal and increase the risk of complications. It’s important to quit smoking, and limit alcohol consumption during your recovery period. Sometimes, you may be instructed to quit smoking before your procedure, in order to be considered a suitable candidate.
- Attend any scheduled appointments during your recovery. You should always attend all of your scheduled appointments with your surgeon, to monitor your progress and address any concerns or questions you may have during your recovery. Your appointments will allow Dr Perron to assess your healing, and make any necessary adjustments to your recovery instructions.
Your frequently asked questions answered
During an in-person consultation, Dr Perron will be able to answer any questions you have about liposuction recovery. However, in the meantime, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about liposuction recovery.
Is liposuction recovery a painful process?
Liposuction recovery can involve some discomfort, but the level of pain experienced varies from person to person. Patients commonly report tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the treated areas. However, pain management techniques, such as prescribed medications, are typically provided to help reduce discomfort.
How long will recovery take?
Recovery from liposuction takes time. You might see some initial differences right after the procedure, but it’ll take a few months for the swelling and bruising to subside completely. Typically, it can take anywhere from three to six months to see your full results. By around the one-year mark, you should be able to see the final results from your procedure.
How much time do I need to take off from work to recover?
Patients are normally encouraged to take about a few days to a week off work, but those with particularly physically demanding occupations may need additional time off. Dr Perron can discuss the details of your occupation during your consultation and advise you on how much time to take off from work.
Will I be left with scarring?
Just like after any surgery, scarring is a possibility after liposuction. Dr Perron uses small incisions during the procedure, which can keep the visibility of scarring to a minimum. Incisions can also be placed in discreet areas, helping to minimise their visibility. With appropriate wound care, initial scars should continue to fade over time.
Are liposuction results permanent?
Our bodies have a fixed number of fat cells from birth, which typically stop increasing after puberty. So, once fat cells are removed, they will not return. However, weight gain after the procedure can lead to the enlargement of remaining fat cells. This means that significant weight gain may still alter your
body’s shape after your procedure.
How can I maintain my results?
While the fat removal in the treated area is permanent, changes to results can still occur with weight changes in the future. To maintain the results of liposuction over time, it can help to make certain lifestyle adjustments. Consistently engaging in exercise and consuming a nutritious, well-rounded diet can help to support your results in the longer term.
Get personalised advice from Plastic Surgeon Dr Justin Perron
For an efficient, successful liposuction recovery, it is always important to follow your personalised advice.
When you have a consultation with Dr Perron in Brisbane, you will be able to discuss the details of your liposuction procedure plan, and receive personalised tips to help you recover from your procedure.
If you want to discuss the details of liposuction further, please contact our team to book your consultation. Feel free to contact us should you have any questions before your consultation.
