Liposuction is not a substitute for losing weight and exercising. It is not effective in eliminating cellulite or tightening loose and sagging skin. The areas of the body that have been treated will appear slimmer and contoured.
It is important to care for those areas where incisions are because infection and scarring can hamper results. Here’s your guide to post-liposuction care.
Your Post-Liposuction Care Kit
Before your surgery, make sure you have these items easily available:
Comfortable, loose clothingDark towels to sit on to absorb any leaking fluidsPillows to rest onBottled waterSoda crackers for nauseaPain medication
During the First 72 Hours
It is normal for bloody fluid to drain on clothes and sheets for the first 24 to 72 hours after surgery. The fluid is put into the area before liposuction to make fat removal safer for you. A compression garment should be worn at all times except during showering. Compression garments reduce swelling and speed up your recovery. Your plastic surgeon will let you know when you can stop wearing the garment. Move every two hours to prevent the formation of blood clots. This will also help to keep fluids moving in the body and reduce swelling. Some plastic surgeons will allow you to shower 24 hours after surgery but check with yours because they may want you to keep your initial compression garments on for 2–3 days, and then shower. When you shower, you can run soap and water over the areas without scrubbing. The areas should be gently dried with a clean towel. Avoid still (non-running) water for two weeks after surgery. This includes baths, swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, oceans, etc.
Caring for Your Incisions
Depending on your surgeon’s preference, you can remove the outer dressings from the liposuction site 24 to 72 hours after surgery. Your incisions may be left open or they may be closed with a stitch. If you have tapes or steri-strips over the incisions, leave them in place. The steri-strips should be left alone and allowed to fall off on their own, or they will be removed by your surgeon in the office.
Make sure to wear loose clothing. Tight clothing may rub against your incisions, irritating them, and hinder healing.
What’s Normal
Mild bruising and swelling is normal after surgery but will gradually subside within 2–6 weeks. You should immediately notice an improvement, but some people will have longer swelling which will gradually subside.
