What to Expect After Liposuction, and Liposuction Recovery

Are you wondering what to expect after liposuction? What is the liposuction recovery process like? Read our comprehensive guide here!

When you awake from your liposuction procedure, you will be numb from anesthetic, unable to feel the effects of the procedure. As we administer significant amounts of fluid to aid in the fat extraction process in liposuction, you will appear bloated for the first few days until the fluid begins to drain. As the anesthesia begins to wear off, you will begin to experience some level of pain and discomfort. You can ease this pain by taking Tylenol, or the pain medication prescribed by your NYBG Plastic Surgeon.

As your body continues to drain the fluids administered during your liposuction procedure, it will be necessary to have several towels available for you on which you may rest during these first few days of liposuction recovery. This will protect the bed or piece of furniture on which you're reclining. The process of fluid draining from your body is painless and is a positive step in your initial recovery. The more fluid you drain from your body during these first days, the less that will be absorbed into your system and contribute to post-operative swelling.

Recovery from Liposuction Surgery

When you return home from your liposuction procedure, you will be wearing compression garments to help relieve post-operative swelling. Forty-eight hours following your procedure, you may temporarily remove these garments in order to bathe. Please note that you may experience a bit of light-headedness when you initially remove these undergarments. You may bathe with soap and water but be careful not to scrub your incisions. They are still delicate from your procedure and should be treated very gently. It is important to put your compression garment back on as soon as possible following bathing.

Week One to Week Three

The majority of your discomfort and swelling will occur during the first 1 to 3 weeks following liposuction surgery. Once the first week has passed, however, you will notice that you begin to feel a little bit better each day. Approximately 1 to 2 weeks following your procedure, the swelling will change to firmness that may persist for about 3 months following your procedure. This firmness indicates that the firmer areas are healing, and your new, slim physique is on its way.

Initially this firmness will soften, allowing swelling and fluid to be swept out of the body. As this happens, your new figure will begin to appear in the mirror. As your swelling will remain in your body for 1 to 3 months, the image you see in the mirror 90 days post-surgery is far from your final result. Patience is key during the healing process.

The Healing Process Requires Patience

It is not uncommon for patients to experience mild depression or anxiety when results are not immediately visible. Don't despair. This is also a normal part of the healing process. Understanding that each body is different, and your body will respond at a different rate than any other patient's body is important to keep your healing in perspective. While in the 2 to 3 month stage, you might have some lumps that concern you. This is normal, and these uneven areas will diminish as your body moves through the natural healing process.

Liposuction Results: It’s Worth the Wait.

Keeping in mind that we're interested in long-term results, be prepared that there will be some residual swelling for up to six months. While you will see significant results immediately following liposuction, you won't realize your final results for several months. You will continue to gradually see results finalize for up to one year following liposuction. It is possible that there will be some slight asymmetry (all of the most beautiful things in nature are slightly asymmetrical). Your final, smooth, slender results will definitely be worth the wait.

Results from Liposuction – Setting Realistic Expectations

Each patient who visits the office seeking liposuction in Long Island wants to know one thing: what will I look like following liposuction surgery? In all honesty, each body is different and will respond differently to the liposuction procedure. Having realistic expectations from your liposuction surgery will make you happier with the results. Remember: perfection is never the goal. What we're all seeking is improvement in overall body shape, and the pleasure you experience living life inside your own skin. What we can promise is that we will remove a large number (volumes even) of fat cells from your body that will never return, resulting in a figure that is sleeker and more attractively contoured. Keeping all of this in mind, there are some limitations of liposuction, including:

Looseness of skin

While liposuction can remove large quantities of unwanted fat cells, it cannot remedy loose, sagging skin. If you have areas where skin has lost its elasticity before you have surgery, they will still be present when the procedure has been completed and your body is healed.

Cellulite

All bodies have cellulite: large, small, and everything in between. If you have cellulite present before liposuction, you will generally have a similar pattern of dimpling following the completion of the healing process. While many patients experience a decrease in overall cellulite, this is not guaranteed as a result.

The density of your fat cells

Patients who possess very dense fat cells usually see a bit more success when in liposuction surgery. People who have more dense fat cells tend to put on weight more quickly than those who do not and may experience more dramatic results.

The thickness of your skin

If your skin is very thin, you are more likely to see residual dimpling that results from fat cells and cellulite than your thicker-skinned peers. Furthermore, as we age our skin begins to lose volume as a part of the natural aging process.

Remember, the most important factor in determining the long-term success of your liposuction procedure is a diet and exercise plan that helps you maintain a healthy weight. Once the healing process is complete following your liposuction surgery, you can expect your results to last for many, many years if you manage your weight. If you enjoy your new body and treat it with love, it will love you in return.