Liposuction Recovery Timeline

How extensive a patient’s liposuction treatment was will directly affect how soon after the surgery a person can return to back work and normal life. Recovery may take a few days or a few months, and recovery time can be different for each individual. That’s why it is important for each patient consult directly with his or her doctor, and find out exactly what steps need to be taken in order to recover fully and quickly from the liposuction procedure. Whether recovery is long or short, the patient should always carefully follow the instructions of his or her plastic surgeon, and report any undue pain or swelling immediately.

Directly After Liposuction

Patients are usually provided with prescriptions for pain medications and antibiotics. It is important to pick up those medications prior to the surgical appointment surgery, because antibiotics should be taken with the evening meal, and pain medications should be used to stay on top of the pain, to keep it at a minimum, rather than stemming already intense pain.

The Day After Liposuction

The patient should continue to rest the day after surgery, but at this point they can begin taking light, brief walks to improve circulation. Patients should also take pain medication as directed, and the compression garment provided by the office should be worn at all times.

The Week After Liposuction

Patients that have only a small area treated with this procedure can often return to normal activities after a week. Many patients can even return to work after a week of recovery. The swelling, draining liquid, and bruising should all start to fade during this time. Pain should also be curbed by this point of the healing process.

Two Weeks After Liposuction

Even patients that opted for an extensive procedure should begin to move around normally, being careful of the incision site, but returning to many of their normal activities. Most patients will still want to wear the compression garment, to reduce swelling and improve post-surgical results.

One Month After Liposuction

Some patients will be able to stop wearing the compression garment by this time. Most will have returned to their normal lives, though if the procedure was extensive, there is the chance that more recovery time is necessary. It is also during this time that patients can return to mild exercise, including walking, and even jogging, if it does not affect the incision site.

During this time, patients should pay close attention to the amount of swelling in the liposuction area. Swelling is likely to be at its most severe directly after the procedure, which will then reduce over the following days and weeks. If there is still severe swelling after a month, the patient should contact the surgeon, as swelling may be a sign of infection.

For more information about liposuction or other procedures, please contact Jefferson Plastic Surgery today. The staff at Jefferson Plastic Surgery is here to answer any questions, and to set up appointments as needed. We look forward to working with you!