What to Expect during Your Liposuction Recovery
There are many areas of the body that can appear less-than-perfect due to the presence of excess fatty tissue. In many cases, this fat is impossible to get rid of, even for those patients who are physically active and careful with their eating habits. For fat pockets that fail to respond to diet and exercise, liposuction offers a surgical solution that allows patients to permanently eliminate fatty deposits. Plastic surgeon Patricia Berbariperforms liposuction to sculpt areas of the bodyand allow patients to achieve the body contour they desire. While liposuction is a highly successful procedure, it may take time for patients to see the results they desire. Dr. Berbari ensures that her Gatineau patients understand the liposuction recovery timeline and what can be expected throughout this process.
The Day of the Procedure
Liposuction is performed as an outpatient procedure; patients will return home shortly after treatment is complete. However, in most cases, liposuction is performed under the effects of deep sedation or general anesthesia. Because of this, patients will need a ride home and should have a family member or friend stay with them for the first 24 hours of recovery. The anesthetic may still be partially in effect and the patient is likely to sleep for most of this first day of recovery.
First Week of Recovery
The side effects of liposuction are likely to be the strongest during this first week of recovery. Patients are likely to experience swelling, bruising, redness of the skin, and minor to moderate discomfort. Most patients describe the treated area as feeling like it is tender and bruised. Dr. Berbari will prescribe pain medication, which may be used as prescribed to help manage discomfort. It is important to follow all post-surgical care instructions that have been provided by Dr. Berbari. It is especially important to limit physical activity, stay well-hydrated, and wear compression garments as instructed, all of which will aid in recovery and help in bringing down swelling.
Week Two
During the second week of recovery, most of the side effects of liposuction will begin to subside. Although swelling is likely to persist for several weeks, swelling should have subsided enough by six weeks after surgery that the results of the procedure should become more noticeable. In the second week of recovery, patients can begin to return to their regular routines (with the exception of exercise, which should still be avoided). Most patients are able to return to work during the second week of recovery.
Six Weeks after Liposuction
By six weeks of recovery, patients should feel completely recovered. It is at six weeks of recovery that we no longer recommend the use of compression garments. Exercise and other strenuous activities can be resumed at this point as well. The results of liposuction should be pretty apparent at this point, but the patient may continue to see changes for the next several months, as the body adjusts to the alterations that have been made.
Schedule an Appointment
Many patients are frustrated when diet and exercise fail to produce the body contouring results they are seeking. Liposuction may be the ideal solution for patients who are looking to sculpt away those stubborn deposits of fat. To learn more about the liposuction procedure and find out if it is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Patricia Berbari at your earliest convenience. We look forward to hearing from you!
