Liposuction Recovery
One of the most surprising developments over the last two decades has been the increasing acceptance of plastic surgery. Originally viewed as reconstructive surgical methods to help people overcome unfortunate events like accidents by returning to their natural look, plastic surgery has expanded to the point where it is viewed as a way to cosmetically improve a person's physical appearance to meet their ideal appearance.
A major reason for the growth of popularity of plastic surgery is the remarkable progression of medical technology and techniques used in these procedures. Plastic surgery procedures are now faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before. As the most popular plastic surgery procedure, liposuction is the biggest case example of the progression of the plastic industry as a whole.
How Long is the Liposuction Recovery Period?
Liposuction is widely considered the safest plastic surgery procedure and healing takes very little time. The recovery period is now much quicker than it had been previously. Whereas liposuction surgery would have required a six-month recovery period before, with contemporary methods, patients can expect the healing after liposuction period to be completed within six weeks or two months. One must understand there are always risks involved with any surgery, but with advancement in medicine and technology, the risks are further minimized.
Immediately following the liposuction surgery, the patient will spend their first week resting. Depending on the type of anesthesia used, the patient will either spend a night resting at an inpatient center or will be able to return to their home where they will rest. Pain medication is provided to the patient as their body begins the recuperation process.
Recovery period
The liposuction recovery period is now much quicker than it had been previously. Whereas before when the procedure would have required a six-month recovery period, with contemporary methods, patients can expect the healing after liposuction to be completed within six weeks or two months.
During this first week of the liposuction recovery period, the patient will have to follow the specific instructions provided by the plastic surgeon. Although the patient is able to shower, they are strictly prohibited from taking baths during this time. Additionally, the patient will have to wear a compression garment (also known as a liposuction garment) that is designed to help the patient's body heal and also to strengthen the body's adjustment to the removal of fat deposits caused by the surgery.
The First Three Days of Liposuction Recovery
During the first three days of the recovery period, the patient may notice significant leakage from their incisions. Depending on your plastic surgeon's opinion, the incisions that were made during the liposuction treatment may have been left in tact to allow for quick drainage of the fluid used in the surgery. A sterilized cloth is generally provided to the patient to keep the incisions dry and the fluid that will be leaking from the incisions will be wetting solution and not blood.
After the First Three Days of the Liposuction Recovery Period
By the third day of the liposuction recovery period, the patient should be able to resume most of their daily activities. By this point, the pain caused by wounds and swelling would have subsided. Although these wounds will still be tender, they will no longer be sore. Swelling is still evident at this point but by the third week of liposuction recovery, the swelling should have either been minimized or have completely disappeared. To reduce the swelling caused by the procedure, the patient should place ice over these spots to reduce swelling.
Within a week, the patient should be able to return to work. Although the liposuction recovery period should continue for several more weeks, by this point the major discomfort caused by the surgery should have subsided. To ensure the best results, the patient should follow their plastic surgeon's advice about healing after the surgery. The patient should continue taking antibiotic medication and if any complications were to arise during the recovery, the patient should consult their plastic surgeon immediately.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding liposuction and its recovery period, please fill in the form below or simply call the toll free number at the top of this page and one of our experts will be glad to help you. We can even schedule a FREE consultation with a board certified surgeon in your area!
