After Surgery – Liposuction for Women

With liposuction, you can’t see the results right away, so don’t expect to look and feel great immediately after surgery.  You might even be a little heavier for a while, because of the extra fluids which have been given.  The suctioned areas will be bruised and swollen, and you may feel a burning sensation.  The pain is usually controlled with prescription medications, though you may feel still, sore and numb for a few days.

Healing is a gradual process.  You should start walking as soon as possible, but avoid other more strenuous exercise for two to four weeks.  Stitches will be removed in about five days, and most patients can be back at work within five to seven days.  The compression garment is worn as much as possible for about three weeks. 

Direct sun exposure should be avoided as long as any bruising persists.

While most of the swelling and discoloration will be gone one month after surgery, some swelling can remain for six months or more.  This means that the final result from the procedure usually takes several months to become fully apparent.

Liposuction is a highly effective technique for providing a new body contour with minimal scarring.  The results can be permanent, providing you eat sensibly and exercise regularly.  Most patients are very satisfied with the results of their liposuction – they feel more comfortable in their clothing and more at ease with their body image. 

Your decision to have liposuction is a highly personal one and one that not everyone will understand.  The important thing is how you feel about it.  If the procedure results meet your pre-operative goals, then your surgery is truly a success.