Top Tips for a Speedy Recovery after a Liposuction Procedure

Last updated 10 months ago

Liposuction is a plastic surgery procedure designed to remove localized fat deposits that are unresponsive to diet and exercise. Regardless of whether liposuction is being performed on the abdomen, waist, hips, buttocks, or thighs, one of the first questions patients usually have is what they can expect during the recovery period. Make sure you’re prepared by consulting your surgeon and checking out these liposuction recovery tips:

Wear Compression Garments
Your cosmetic surgeon will provide you with compression garments immediately after your surgery. It is important to wear these elastic stockings as instructed to support healing tissues, help your skin adjust to the reduction in fat, and decrease swelling. Patients wear compression garments for 2-3 weeks. "We usually place patients and a compression garment right after surgery, and recommended that they pick up another compression garment to wear after the first week", says Dr. Joseph Perlman, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston.

Stay Hydrated
Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water after your procedure to help reduce swelling and expedite the healing process. You may also consider maintaining a low-sodium diet, as salt causes water retention.

Get Plenty of Rest
It is important to stay off of your feet as much as possible immediately following a liposuction procedure. Consider preparing a recovery area on your bed or couch ahead of time by gathering lots of pillows, snacks, water, and other items you may need so that you can limit your activity level. You may also ask a close friend of family member to assist you for a day or two.

Massage the Area Gently
Your cosmetic surgeon may recommend gently massaging the treatment areas in the weeks following your surgery. This is often recommended to encourage blood circulation, increasing the amount of blood flow to your tissues and providing your body with the oxygen and essential nutrients it needs to heal properly.

Dr. Perlman uses both ultrasonic assisted liposuction (Vaser) and laser assisted liposuction (SmartLipo) for his procedures. "For small areas that can be treated under local anesthetic, I prefer to use SmartLipo as in office procedure", says Dr. Perlman. " For larger areas, I'll take patients to an outpatient surgery center that I use for Vaser procedures. I think both of these advanced liposuction techniques are less traumatic than conventional liposuction so patients have less pain and may heal faster. In addition, they both stimulate collagen production and a little tightening of the overlying skin. I'm particularly impressed with how SmartLipo helps with fat and the neck and upper arms, and shrinks the skin"

When diet and exercise aren’t enough to get your body in summer-shape, it may be time to consider liposuction. Get the information you need to make an informed decision by contacting Dr. Perlman with the Advanced Plastic Surgery Centre at (281) 394-4167. You can also learn more about our services for patients by visiting us online.