Liposuction has been used by many to help improve their body, personal image and self-esteem. Although the procedure isn't a small thing, knowing the facts about liposuction recovery, how to take care of yourself and what to expect after the procedure can make a lot of difference in your health and happiness.
Liposuction Recovery - Directly After Surgery
Depending on the amount of liposuction required, body type and overall health, there are certain things that every patient can expect during recovery:
1. You should expect to be in mild to severe pain for at least a few days and often as long as two weeks. Pain medication is prescribed, so if you're allergic to any type of pain medication, make sure you let your surgeon know before the procedure.
2. Swelling, burning and temporary numbness is normal and can last several weeks. Pain medication will take care of some of the discomfort and a body-compression garment can lessen the amount of swelling. To help minimize discomfort, you want to make sure you bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothes - absolutely nothing constricting.
3. Bandages should be change in one to two days, with the sutures taken out within five to ten days. Until the initial healing period is over, there may be small amounts of leakage, such as blood or Betadine. Gently patting the fluids with sterilized gauze pads can be less painful than using full bandages/Band-Aids. In addition, it's probably a good idea to bring old towels to keep from staining anything you don't want ruined on the way home.
4. There's a definite possibility that you'll be nauseated in first two or three days after liposuction surgery. Keep low sodium crackers and bottled water on hand to help with the nausea, and a container with a lid in case you do get sick on the trip back to your house.
5. Between the anesthesia and medications, your eyes may be sensitive to light. Dark sunglasses can help with the photosensitivity, as well as a sleep mask.
6. Drink plenty of water and stay away from high salt, high sodium foods.
7. Except for walking, don't exercise for the first two to four weeks. In fact, it may be a good idea to get a hand-held, detachable showerhead to lessen the amount of bending and stretching you might have to do.
What to Watch For During Liposuction Recovery
With leakage, vomiting or nausea, pain and swelling being normal post-operation occurrences, how can you tell if you're having complications? When should you call your physician? What constitutes a health risk? Here is a short list of possible complications that require your physician's immediate notification (your surgeon will give you a full list):
- Skin darkening suddenly in swollen areas
- Blisters or holes forming in your skin, near the incision area
- Inability to go to the bathroom
- The incision area has a foul odor, pus or cloudy discharge
- Red streaks going up your limbs or chest
- Continual vomiting or vomiting blood
- Temperature higher than 101 degrees
- Convulsions
Should you suffer any complications during liposuction recovery, it's important that you stay calm. Although complications are rare, make sure you have your emergency numbers on hand just in case.
Liposuction Recovery - 2 to 6 months later
Try to keep in mind that your body may not heal at the same speed on both sides. For several months, one side may look more swollen than the other. Have patience and try not to be upset because three months after surgery you're not seeing the results you expected. While it only takes about six weeks for the majority of the swelling to go down, it could possibly last as long as six months.
Having said that, remember that post-opt depression is normal - especially right after the surgery. Even those who have researched liposuction surgery and understand it isn't a "quick fix" tend to go through a "let-down" period. They may subconsciously expect to see instantaneous results, bound off the table and go dancing. Depression can be further brought on by the medications. However, as time passes so will the depression - just remember that it's natural!
During liposuction recovery, don't go against the advice of your surgeon. For instance, it's recommended that you don't swim for at least six weeks after liposuction surgery because it increases the chances of infection.
The use of Topical Vitamin E to keep scarring down is also something you should listen to your surgeon about. Although Vitamin E may help some patients, studies have shown that it actually increased lines and scarring in 90% of the study group. Ask your surgeon what options you have to decrease scarring.
Is the Fat Gone Forever?
Although it's true that your body has a specific number of fat cells, and it's true that liposuction takes some of them away, it isn't true that you'll be slender forever. That is, if you aren't careful about your health and diet. Instead, the remaining fat cells will expand if you eat the wrong foods or eat more than you burn off.
If you start gaining weight - real weight, not water weight - don't get depressed. Pay attention to your activity levels and diet before going in for another surgery. Try to make the changes necessary to keep a happy, healthy, beautiful you!
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