What to Expect After Liposuction Surgery
After the successful surgery, a patient should expect some
drainage from the doctor's incisions. In most cases the drainage
is minimal but may last for several days. If the physician
suspects the wounds will have excess drainage, he or she may
insert a drainage tube or bag to collect any excess fluids and
minimize discomfort. The patient will also need to wear special
garments, called compression garments, that keep the treated
area compressed and tight while in recovery. Most patients will
need to wear the garments for several weeks after liposuction.
Many surgeons include the garments in the total price of the
procedure, otherwise the doctor should inform the patient of the
type of garment and where to purchase it.
Swelling, bruising, and pain are common complaints in the
recovery phase after liposuction. Although these are common, in
most liposuction surgeries, patients should not experience
excessive swelling or pain. It is advised to contact the
attending physician should these side effects occur. Only light
activities are advised during the recovery phase, and heavy work
or exercise is strongly discouraged. It is vital to let the body
fully heal before returning to any strenuous activity.
Prior to release, the surgeon will give the patient detailed
instructions about how to care for the incision area and other
important information. Any sutures or stitches required in the
surgery will likely be removed within two weeks by the surgeon.
At this time, he or she will assess the patient's recovery, and
can deal with any other side effects of the surgery. Most of the
pain or swelling should be finished by the time the two week
exam comes around; if pain and swelling are still present, the
physician should be notified.
After the initial recovery, most people are satisfied and/or
happy with the results of the surgery. It is important to have
realistic expectations prior to liposuction surgery; this may
reduce the chances of being unhappy with the end result. The
American Association of Plastic Surgeons urges any prospective
patient to be realistic and to realize that advertisements
showing before and after photos are often misleading -
individual results will vary.
Potential complications may include scarring, a bumpy appearance
around the liposuction site, less-than-dramatic results, and the
return of fatty deposits after the surgery. Maintaining a
healthy lifestyle including a healthy diet and an exercise
regimen can keep the fat from coming back. Liposuction is not
necessarily a permanent weight loss solution unless it is used
in conjunction with a reasonable lifestyle. In most people,
scarring is temporary and the incision sites are small, however,
in some people the scarring is more prominent - the cosmetic
surgeon should inform the patient of how to care for the
incision sites to help reduce scarring. One must go into the
surgery with an open mind and realize that perfection may not
result from the procedure. The Food and Drug Administration
suggests that a healthy lifestyle includes learning to be
satisfied with your body.