4 Tips to Recover from Liposuction

Your body is beautiful and ought to be celebrated — period. That said, it’s entirely normal for there to be things about your own body that could be bothersome to you. Stubborn pockets of fat, for example, could be a major source of annoyance, especially if you’re committed to a healthy diet, cardio, and plenty of water. This is where liposuction can become a fantastic catalyst. But liposuction is more than about eliminating stubborn fat. It’s about committing to a better way to live your life.

What is liposuction?

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that helps to eliminate pockets of fat from specific areas of the body, such as the abdomen, flank, neck, or thighs. It is a process of sucking fat out of the body through tiny ports.

The liposuction process works by inserting small tubes into the desired areas and infusing the areas with a solution of saline, lidocaine, epinephrine, and occasionally some anti-inflammatory medicine. After about 20 minutes, the solution homogenizes the fat, meaning it dissolves it so that it is easier to remove it from the body.

Liposuction is not a surgery that involves cutting. Instead, it's a suction from small ports. These ports are punctures that are fitted with small tubes, from which the fat is sucked out. 

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Tips to Recover from Liposuction

After the fat is removed, patients will begin to notice a difference. However, it's really after two weeks that the most dramatic results will begin to appear. The first five days will be the most uncomfortable. This is when patients will notice bruising and swelling. 

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Tip 1: Lymphatic Massage

When we talk about recovery for liposuction, the major thing we're talking about is swelling. This is because of the anesthetic fluid that is injected prior to the procedure. Some of the fluid is removed along with the fat, but much of it stays behind in your body and is eliminated slowly via urination and through the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system slows down during liposuction and can take time for it to wake up, especially in areas of the body that are further away from the lymph nodes like the abdomen and legs.

To help the fluid go away, Dr. Hooman Khorasani recommends his patients have multiple lymphatic massages, as the lymphatic drainage is essential to recovering from liposuction.

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Tip 2: Oxygen Therapy

Dr. Khorasani also recommends spending recovery time with oxygen therapy in hyperbaric chambers. Similar to procedures like cryotherapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing oxygen in a pressurized environment.

In a hyperbaric chamber, the air pressure is increased two to three times higher than normal air pressure and under these conditions, your lungs can gather much more oxygen. Blood carrying this extra oxygen helps stimulate the release of substances called growth factors and stem cells, which promote healing.

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Tip 3: Wearing a girdle

Recovery time for liposuction also refers to how long the patient is wearing a compression garment, or "girdle." This girdle is what helps keep the skin tight, as removing fat can often cause the skin to loosen. For abdominal and lower body procedures, the girdle is typically worn around the clock for two weeks. For neck procedures it is typically five to seven days.

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Tip 4: Planning

Always make sure you will have someone with you the first two nights after liposuction. The first two nights will be the most uncomfortable when you will need some help with meals, using the restroom, and pain control.

After 48 hours most people can care for themselves. If you are unable to have someone with you, Dr. Khorasani can recommend a preferred professional nursing team. 

How do you know if liposuction is right for you?

Liposuction is a wonderful option for people who are tired of fighting stubborn fat. But it is important to note that this procedure is not meant for weight loss.

The most ideal patients for liposuction are young and very close to their ideal BMI. They may just be struggling with areas that are disproportionately more fat than others on their body. It is not meant to be a weight loss surgery.

Often patients of liposuction are so impressed with the results that it inspires them to continue on with healthy habits because they want to protect their investment. When you’re suddenly seeing yourself the way you’ve always wanted to look, it can be the best motivation to maintain healthy lifestyle choices. It’s essentially a new lease on life, and what’s not to love about that?

Will I get fatter in other body parts after liposuction?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions. We do not see abnormal fat distribution in our patient population. This is likely a testament to our stringent patient selection. People with an annual weight fluctuation of more than 10 Ibs are not good candidates for liposuction and are encouraged to modify their lifestyle and return to us after their weight has stabilized in the previous 12 months.

Request a Consultation

To request a consultation, message us securely, or contact Dr. Khorasani’s Manhattan office by phone at 212-230-3378. Also check out our Liposuction page for more information.