How long does it take to recover from liposuction surgery?

Answer 1

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.

AnswerLiposuction 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 until 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.

Answer 2

Liposuction recovery time varies from procedure to procedure. If you're planning on having surgery on your face, the recovery time will be a lot longer than it would be if you were having surgery on your arm. It also depends on how much fat is being suctioned and how big of an area the liposuction surgery is going to cover. In some cases, if large amounts of fat (more than 5 liters) are to be removed, you may have to go in for more than one surgery. This may be the case if you're having multiple areas worked on, or if you're getting another doctors work redone, because you've gained weight during the interval between surgeries.

Most people worry about missing time from work. The world doesn't wait, and time is a deciding factor for many. Thankfully, with most liposuction surgeries, you can be back to work in 3-4 days. The areas affected by the surgery will be swollen, sore and tender to the touch for up to 2-3 months after surgery.

Answer 3

My answer is a strong NO! I just had laser lipo on my triceps, lower abs, and thighs 3 days ago. The surgeon lied and said I would be "back to normal" in a couple or 3 days, and I would probably feel no pain at all.

Lies, lies, lies. There was severe pain during the first 72 hours (even with pain meds). I could barely move. I couldn't use the bathroom, because I couldn't bend. I was swollen to about twice my normal size. I was only able to lay in bed flat on my back because it was too painful to turn or rotate. Getting up and down (i.e. to the bathroom or even for a bedpan) was excruciating because there are incisions in the butt area and lower back (along with the other areas) that swell up like a painful helium balloon. I caught a cold in the hospital, and it hurts horribly to sneeze. The pain is just now starting to subside. Plus, now that I know there are all these side effects, I've since researched further -online, talking to other doctors- and apparently the 50-60% of swelling doesn't go down for about 3-4 weeks. The total swelling doesn't disappear until 4-6 months later.

One other thing that I think is important to know if you are considering lipo anywhere in the lower body (including abs), is that you will be wearing a tight elastic garment with a hole built in to allow bodily functions. However, you won't be able to easily go to the bathroom with the garment on. Mine barely allows enough space around the area (especially in the back), and my upper thighs and pubic area is so swollen that it's a mess even just trying to urinate. I'm probably going to have to wait until the 5 days is up and I can take this thing off briefly before I can do anything more than pee. I have no choice. My body won't relax.

The garment is worn uninterrupted for about 5 days... no showering! Then, you have to wear it consistently for at least 3 weeks, only taking it off for showering. But, the best results only happen post-op if you wear it for several months. And, people, these garments are UGLY and not very easy to hide under your clothes, especially if you've had any surgery done on your arms. I can only suggest doing the surgery during the winter in a cold climate. Maybe no one will notice your garment under all the heavy clothes.

Had I been informed by the doctor of all of these consequences before-hand, I likely wouldn't have had the operation. No matter what anyone says, this is true SURGERY. And, surgery is very traumatic to the body. I'm just going to assume that after the swelling and pain goes away I will be happy with the results, at least!

Answer 4

Recovery time from liposuction surgery can be anywhere from 2-3 weeks depending on the extent of the procedure. The full visable results are typically within 6 months as the tissues adjust to the body's new contours. A compressed garment is usually worn over the treated area for several weeks.The compression helps reduce swelling. Follow all doctor's care instructions so that the recovery time will become shorter and chances of a successful procedure become higher.

Answer 5

"Depending on where you are getting liposuction done there is always a recovery process. For major liposuction, you can expect to be recovering for 4-6weeks. Liposuction can cause swelling, bruising and uncomfortableness. Your recovery includes fully healing."

Answer 6

Recovery times will vary depending on the exact nature of the liposuction, the age and health of the person. Generally people need about a week away from work and the swelling takes 7-10 days to subside.

Answer 7

After the surgery, the person will need to wear a support garment continuously for two to three weeks.

Answer 8

"The recovery time after having laser liposuction is definitely shortened by a few weeks. I think it is around 6 weeks or so, with regular liposuction its longer."

Answer 9

Of all the liposuction surgeries, a tummy tuck, as they are called are the least painful.