Liposuction Surgery Information
To Help You Make An Informed Choice...
Trusted information regarding liposuction surgery, dangers, recovery, and alternatives.
Information Regarding Liposuction Recovery Time: What To Expect
Liposuction recovery time varies from procedure to procedure. If you're planning on having surgery on your face, the recovery time will be a lot longer than it would be if you were having surgery on your arm. It also depends on how much fat is being suctioned and how big of an area the liposuction surgery is going to cover. In some cases, if large amounts of fat (more than 5 liters) are to be removed, you may have to go in for more than one surgery. This may be the case if you're having multiple areas worked on, or if you're getting another doctors work redone, because you've gained weight during the interval between surgeries.
Most people worry about missing time from work. The world doesn't wait, and time is a deciding factor for many. Thankfully, with most liposuction surgeries, you can be back to work in 3-4 days. The areas affected by the surgery will be swollen, sore and tender to the touch for up to 2-3 months after surgery.
Additionally, you should expect to have to wear compression bandages, or a compression suit for about a month after surgery. Most patients don't like wearing the suit, but it's necessary in order to compress the areas of treatment. In essence, holes were created by the liposuction surgery, and they need to be held together so your body can heal into its new contours better. In some cases, drains are used temporarily, just beneath the skin, in order to drain any excess fluid or blood. The drains can be uncomfortable, but if used, are essential to the healing process.
In order to make your liposuction recovery time speedier, you should make sure you know everything there is to know about changing your dressings. Ensure that you go to every follow up exam, and question your doctor about when the right time will be to get back into a regular routine. Going to work at an office job, for instance, is a lot easier to do after liposuction surgery, than going back to a construction site job. The more hard physical activity you force yourself to do, the slower you'll heal overall. Forcing yourself to do too much, too soon, can slow down the healing process, or even damage the newly healing wounds.
While the healing process will take some time, as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle once the surgery is completed, you should never have to repeat the process. Sudden weight gains can ruin the progress made through liposuction surgery, and should be avoided at all costs. Since you will be lighter, and healthier, once the liposuction is complete, you should take advantage of it and begin to do more physical exercise in order to maintain your shape.
It's important to remember to follow all of your doctor's advice and instructions, in order to keep your liposuction recovery time to a minimum. With the proper dressings, maintenance and lifestyle, you should be back on your feet in no time.