Liposuction recovery is a crucial time for patients. And while it’s essential not to rush the process, there are several steps you can take to facilitate your body’s natural healing abilities and achieve the results you want.

Ahead, we’ve created a list of essential recovery tips for a smooth and efficient healing process after liposuction.

Top Tips to Ease Your Liposuction Recovery

1. Prioritize a Nutritious Diet

Surgery places significant demands on your body, so proper nutrition is important for a successful recovery. To ensure you’re well-nourished as you heal, consider preparing healthy meals in advance (you may not be up to cooking after surgery).

Also focus on maintaining a balanced diet and consuming regular meals as opposed to frequent grazing and snacking. Try to incorporate a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet to promote a speedy recovery and minimize inflammation.

2. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is key when recovering from any type of cosmetic surgery. Contrary to what you might think, drinking more water will help to flush out fluid buildup and reduce inflammation.

After your liposuction procedure, make sure to consume an ample amount of water. Drinking other clear liquids like Gatorade or fresh juices is also okay. If you’d like to add some variety to your hydration routine, consider infusing still water with fresh fruits or drinking sparkling water.

3. Rest and Recharge

Rest is your best ally during the initial weeks of your recovery. However, some patients have a hard time slowing down and relaxing, especially when they feel relatively fine after their procedure and are excited about their results.

Still, it’s important to prioritize sleep and taking it easy. Adequate rest is essential for your body’s healing process, and it is when you are asleep that your body can truly work on repairing cells and tissue damage.

We recommend setting up a recovery area in a communal space in your home, like the living room, prior your surgery. During the day, try to rest and relax here. At night, you can relocate to your bed and enjoy a long night’s sleep. If you try to rest in your bed during the day, it can be difficult to also sleep there at night.

4. Engage in Light Movement

While rigorous exercise is not advised during the initial recovery period, light, gentle movements can contribute to expediting your body’s healing process overall. Of course, you should only engage in light movement when your plastic surgeon recommends it.

If you’re feeling up to it, walking is an excellent way to get your body moving without straining it. For most patients, taking very short, easy walks starting one to two days after surgery is recommended. Not only does it encourage good blood circulation, which can help reduce swelling and inflammation, but it’s also good for your mind and spirit.

5. Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

Your board certified plastic surgeon will provide you with detailed instructions when you leave your surgery center after your procedure. Ideally, you will have discussed these directives beforehand as well.

Be sure that you follow all of these instructions closely.

This means caring for your incisions, wearing your compression garments, using lymphatic massage (if applicable), abstaining from smoking and alcohol, staying out of the sun, and more. All of this helps to ensure your liposuction scars heal properly along with the rest of your body. Because every patient and every surgery is unique, it’s crucial that you pay attention to what your individual surgeon recommends.

As plastic surgeons have commonly noted, it is often those patients who do not wear their compression garments or who try to rush into exercise too soon that end up with complications or problems. Pay close attention to your post-surgery guidelines, and, of course, attend all follow up appointments.

6. Seek Support

Finally, do not hesitate to enlist the help of a friend or family member if you need help at home. Even though liposuction is generally an outpatient procedure, various tasks, such as cleaning, looking after young children, or running errands, can be difficult when you are in the midst of the healing process.

Following surgery, you might be unable to lift children for a few weeks, and juggling numerous errands can be exhausting. Reaching out for assistance can make your recovery go smoother, which will boost your liposuction results in the end.

FAQ: Liposuction Recovery and Results

How Long Is Recovery From Liposuction?

The average recovery time for liposuction surgery is around one to two weeks. Most patients can return to work after this time, though you may still need to continue wearing your compression garment. Make sure to pay attention to the liposuction side effects discussed with your surgeon. Just remember that every patient’s liposuction recovery time will be different depending on their unique situation.

How long is liposuction recovery if you’ve also had a tummy tuck?

If you’ve undergone additional plastic surgery procedures, such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck surgery) or a breast augmentation, you may need to take extra time off work. The added strain on your body may require several additional weeks of recovery. And remember that it may take up to six months for all swelling to disappear after either liposuction or tummy tuck surgery.

Should I get liposuction or a tummy tuck?

Liposuction removes unwanted fat cells from “trouble spots” like the stomach or flanks (love handles). A tummy tuck removes loose skin from the abdomen, but it almost always includes liposuction to remove fat cells as well.

What not to do after liposuction?

While light exercise (such as taking short walks) is generally recommended after liposuction surgery, you must avoid lifting heavy objects or engaging in activities like running or playing active sports. Do not put any stress or strain on your incision sites for at least the first few weeks. You should also avoid exposing your incision sites to sunlight, drinking alcohol, or smoking.

Set Up a Liposuction Consultation Appointment

Liposuction can permanently remove fat cells, leaving you with a sleeker, more attractive profile that you can be proud of. It is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery treatment options available today. As long as you are in good physical health and at a healthy weight, most people are excellent candidates for a liposuction procedure.

To learn more about liposuction procedures and the recovery process, contact our office today to schedule an appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg.