The recovery stages you may go through after liposuction surgery

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures worldwide to lose some extra inches. It provides you with a sculpted and contoured figure by removing stubborn fat cells from the concerning body parts. It is the best option for people who want to target fat cells in a particularly stubborn place but is not a weight loss treatment.

Patients often worry regarding this surgery as the recovery timeline and results afterwards. Here goes a quick overview of it.

Recovery stages after liposuction

After surgery, you should always put effort into your own recovery. Doing this will help you recover more quickly and effectively, with less pain and swelling, better movement, and reduced scarring. When you take better actions mentally, your physical healing shows significant improvement.

Few hours after surgery

If you undergo sedation, you can feel a little tired just after surgery. There’s a great possibility of feeling pain and discomfort as the anaesthesia starts to wear off. Depending on the body part that has undergone liposuction, there are varying degrees of pain. To ease any possible discomfort, you will be given painkillers. For monitoring, you will be required to spend the night at the hospital. Your doctor needs to keep an eye on the body’s fluid fluctuations. Also, keep yourself hydrated.

During the first three days

At the treatment site, you will be required to wear a compression garment in addition to wound dressings. To avoid fluid buildup, the doctor may occasionally insert tiny drains in the surgery area. You may have them taken out before leaving the hospital as per your doctor’s instructions. Some little discomfort may arise at this time, but medication should help you manage it.

Once you leave the hospital, your activity on day two should be minimal. Keep yourself moisturised as well. To ensure a speedy recovery at this point, take care of yourself. Up to three days after surgery, you’ll need to continue taking all your medication as prescribed and wearing your compression garment.

As far as you can, refrain from any needless activities and get rest. Ask a friend or close person to help you out around the house. If you have kids and need to take time off from work, your doctor could suggest that you set up child care if there’s no one to assist you.

During the first two weeks

You’ll feel significantly less uncomfortable and in pain by the end of the first week. Usually, you can stop taking your painkillers and only take them when necessary. You can resume working from home if your job requires physical activity. Limit your day-to-day activity and try to spend as much time as you can sleep. To reduce swelling, you will have to continue wearing compression clothing.

During the first month

By the third or fourth week’s end of the first month, you will start to feel like yourself again. There shouldn’t be any discomfort. By the end of the fourth week, you will observe the results of the liposuction surgery, however, there might be a little bruise around the incision site.

At this stage, your surgeon will typically encourage you to resume light exercise while continuing to avoid heavy lifting and other rigorous movements. If you have a profession that is very physically demanding, check this with your surgeon.

After the first six weeks

The rest of the swelling and scarring will disappear by the completion of week six but it will not be enough to stop you from noticing the desired improvement in your appearance. The longer you keep your compression garment on, the better the results will be.

You should be able to see your final liposuction results between six weeks and two months after the treatment. You’ll see the areas where fat cells were removed look tighter and smoother than before. Keep the surgery site hydrated, and out of the sun, or cover them with sunscreen to improve the appearance of the scars. Depending on how quickly you heal from this surgical treatment, you may be able to restart doing intense exercise or movement.

Few tips to remember for better recovery

Every patient wants to recover as fast as possible. So, the following tips can help you overcome the troublesome recovery period in a better way.

● Wear your compression clothing night and day, if possible.

● Prescribed medications are vital to speed up your recovery.

● Have enough rest and sleep well.

● Do some yoga and light movements.

● Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.

● Strictly maintain follow-up appointments with your doctor.

● Do not forget to eat nutritious food and sufficient water.

● Lastly, don’t push your limits as everyone has a different recovery pattern.

Results after liposuction

You most likely won’t see the desired results immediately after the liposuction surgery. If anything, it might appear that you’ve put on weight or look bloated in the surgery area. Results will be seen as swelling subsides.

Additionally, you can observe that the liposuction-affected area of your skin has some loose skin which becomes firmer as time passes. However, depending on some variables, including age or the amount of reduced fat, surgical intervention may be required to tighten the skin. Because each person is unique, your plastic surgeon, if necessary, may discuss skin tightening alongside body contouring treatment.