Many people undergo a liposuction procedure without realizing the consequences or understanding the possible complications of the procedure. While liposuction is a relatively safe procedure, it is not without some risks. By the same token, just because it is an outpatient procedure, does not mean that there is not a bit of recovery that needs to take place before the patient is fully healed. With this level of body alteration, the body must be allowed to fully recover.Recovery is a gradual process and while it can be made easier, it cannot be avoided altogether.
Immediately after the liposuction procedure, there is an initial recovery from anesthesia. The recovery period depends on the type and depth of anesthesia used. For minor procedures requiring only local anesthesia (uncommon) people can leave as early as 30 minutes after the procedure. Yet for patients undergoing general anesthesia, patients must stay a little longer until they have been stabilized. Remember that you will not be able to drive yourself the day of the procedure, so arrange transportation home from the clinic.
During the first one to two weeks after a liposuction procedure, people are advised to wear a compression garment, as suggested by the surgeon. Within days of the procedure, the bruising around the surgical wound should decrease. The wound may be allowed to drain and will need to be attended to according to the directions of your surgeon. It is also important to change the bandages at the surgical site. Most people are able to go back to work and perform non-strenuous activities within three days of the procedure if necessary. Also, you will likely need to attend at least one follow-up appointment with your surgeon so that he or she can evaluate the area and remove any sutures or staples that were left in place to close the liposuction portal. By four weeks after the surgery, any swelling, bruising, pain and redness should be gone. By this time patients should be able to resume all of their normal day to day activities.
The final outcome of liposuction might not be visible or fully appreciated for many months after the treatment. The skin surrounding the treatment area may appear loose for some time, but should tighten up. Compression garments should speed the process a bit. Each person’s experience with liposuction recovery is unique, differs from one person to another, and will vary depending on the procedure and the body’s response. Knowing a general knowledge of the liposuction recovery period can be helpful to keep expectations realistic and improve short and long term outcomes.
