subject: What To Expect After Lipo Surgery [print this page] Traditional liposuction is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure whereby excess fat is removed from the body using an instrument that suctions it out. The process of suctioning the fat from the body leaves the patient with bruising and swelling. The procedure also requires general anesthesia, which comes with risks of its own. Before you have this type of surgery, you should understand the recovery process in order to prepare for what will happen.
Immediately After the Surgery
Since you will have been under general anesthesia, you will feel groggy and tired immediately after you come out of surgery. You will probably not feel much pain at this point since you will be heavily medicated. You will be encouraged to get up and walk after surgery. Walking helps get your blood flowing throughout your body. You want healthy blood flow to the surgery area as this will help speed recovery and reduce swelling.
The Following Days
Swelling will be your biggest concern after lipo. You may see swelling for a couple weeks or up to a couple months after you resurgent. Most doctors have patients wear compression garments after surgery to help manage swelling.
You may also have leakage from the incision area. If you have this happen you may need to get a drainage tube inserted in the area to get rid of the excess fluid. Pain should not be too bad since you will will be given pain medication to manage it.
You will also experience bruising. Remember that during surgery an instrument was inserted under the skin and moved about. This breaks the blood vessels at the skin's surface and naturally caused bruising. Bruising can last for up to a couple of weeks. You may also have numbness at the incision area. This is normal and should go away in time.
The total time for complete recovery can take up to 6 weeks. If you experience any complications then your recovery time could be extended. Most people return to work 7 to 10 days after surgery.
Additional Recovery Tips
It is important during recovery that you watch for signs of infection. You will want to be aware of the incision area. It should not look red, feel like it is burning or have a yellow or green tinted drainage. If you have a fever or you feel sick then you should contact your doctor as this can signal you have an infection.
You should avoid strenuous activity for about a month after surgery. If you overdo it you could set back your recovery time. Your body needs time to heal. Even if you are feeling great, you should still follow all the directions you doctor gives you regarding exercise and activity.
Recovery after lipo will be different for each patient. Some people just heal at a slower pace than others. Your doctor should be able to help you understand how your body is healing and what you should expect as you return to his office for follow up appointments.
If all this sounds a little scary, then there are non-surgical types of lipo that vastly decrease the risks and recovery time in comparison to traditional liposuction, without compromising on the results. Make sure you're aware of all your options before undergoing such a serious procedure.
