You want to look and feel your best self possible, but what about recovery? It’s totally normal to think about recovery after liposuction. It’s important to recover safely and as quickly as possible. But like any surgery, the amount of time it takes to recover from liposuction is dependent on the individual. So let’s take a deeper look at the process.
At Image Surgical Arts, Dr. Harris uses the latest equipment and surgical techniques to ensure the best possible outcome with minimal downtime. When paired with a healthy lifestyle, proper aftercare can deliver the long-lasting results you want.
There are lots of other factors at play that can determine how long recovery after liposuction will take, including the following:
- The intensity of the surgery (how much fat is being extracted)
- Where the surgery is happening on the body
- Your body’s response to anesthesia
- Your age and overall health
While these are some of the factors for recovery, your surgeon will review in detail other concerns based on your health profile and your aesthetic goals. The above list is important to consider when thinking about how long your particular recovery will take. During your pre-surgery assessment, you will be able to get a better idea of what to expect.
What Can I Expect Immediately After Treatment?
Recovery from liposuction is typically fairly straightforward. During the first several days, we may prescribe pain medication to minimize pain, swelling, and bruising. You can also expect to return home relatively quickly compared to a lot of surgeries – most of liposuction recovery is done at home. Some soreness can be expected post-procedure, with the majority of the pain subsiding after about a week.
Depending on how your body reacts to anesthesia, you may experience fatigue. You can expect bruises to heal after a couple of weeks, and most swelling is resolved within six weeks. You will be provided with a compression garment and a customized post-surgical recovery plan that includes when and how to wear your compression garment. As the initial post-surgery swelling decreases, the affected area (or areas) will improve gradually.
In the weeks to follow, wearing your prescribed pressure garment is the key to shaping your body to achieve ideal results. Additionally, we may recommend lymphatic massage or supplements, such as Arnica, to aid you in your recovery, but this is dependent on your individual procedure.
When Can I Go Back to Work?
Most patients feel comfortable returning to non-strenuous jobs in about 5-10 days. In some cases, there will be restrictions as far as certain movements or heavy lifting that will require patients to take on a limited work schedule until they’re fully healed. However, every patient is unique. Dr. Harris will customize a post-operative recovery plan, if needed, based on the patients’ individual needs and specific procedures.
What’s the Full Recovery After Liposuction?
Recovery can vary based on the patient’s goals and the amount of fat being removed. Other considerations are the patient’s age and their overall health. For some, final results may not be evident until 4-6 months post-treatment. The results from liposuction are long-lasting, especially when paired with a healthy lifestyle.
You’ll be in good hands at Image Surgical Arts. Dr. Harris is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon who specializes in high-definition liposuction. Using advanced skill, artistry, and surgical techniques, he is able to minimize post-surgical recovery time.
