subject: Tips For An Easy Recovery Period After Liposuction [print this page] There is no way around itrecovery after liposuction can be uncomfortable. A full recovery can take several weeks, during which time the patient must be careful to closely follow post-op instructions in order to ensure the best aesthetic results and to heal thoroughly. To help facilitate an easier recovery period, here are some basic tips for recovery after having liposuction. Our Denver patients have been utilizing these tips, which are also applicable to other body contouring cosmetic surgery procedures.
Pay special care to your dressings and compression garments.
Compression garments are essential to help shape the body after liposuction. They help reduce the risk of loosening of the skin and assist your body in creating the desired contours. However, make sure your garment isnt so constricting that it is causing numbness or digging into the skin, which could lead to infection.
Keep your incision clean and dry. Be fastidious about dressing maintenance, do not use hot or ice packs on the incision and do not saturate the incision with any type of topical antibiotics as they might inhibit the healing process.
Try to walk around
You may feel you need to rest quite a bit during recoveryand that's perfectly normal for the first couple of days at least. However, it is important to walk around periodically throughout the day to prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs and to stimulate blood flow to the incision areas. Being ambulatory for just a few minutes per day is all it takes to reduce your risk, though increased physical activity as you feel better is certainly a good idea.
Do not drink caffeinated drinks or alcohol, and avoid sodium
It is important to keep yourself properly hydrated throughout recovery to maximize the healing process and reduce swelling. Try to drink the recommended six to eight glasses of water per day. Do not drink caffeinated beverages such as coffee or tea, as caffeine has a dehydrating effect, and will only slow the healing process. Alcohol is even worse; it inhibits the bodys natural defense mechanisms and leaves it vulnerable to infections. Like caffeine, sodium is dehydrating, so it is essential that a low-sodium, balanced diet is maintained.
Make sure someone is around to check in with you
Patients occasionally feel faint during the liposuction recovery period, and often find that they need some help with routine things like making meals and bathing for the first day or two. Have someone check in with you regularly to make sure you are feeling comfortable and getting the support you need.
Avoid water exposure/submersion
Getting your incision wet risks infection; do not visit steam rooms, swim or submerge yourself in a bathtub until you are given the greenlight. Bathing with a wet washcloth or covering the incisions while showering allows you to stay clean while minimizing the risk of infections.
Even though the discomfort and swelling only should last a few days after your Denver liposuction procedure, a full recovery can take several weeks. Adhering to the routine consistently throughout the recovery period is the key to success. Just because you dont feel pain anymore and have transitioned from post-surgery recovery back to your normal life doesnt mean you can forget all about the post-op instructions we gave you.
