Post Care Instructions For Liposuction

Liposuction

Post Care Instructions For Liposuction

After liposuction, the area will be wrapped to help reduce swelling, bruising, and pain. You will be discharged wearing a pressure garment over the treated area. Most patients will wear pressure garments for 6-8 weeks (can vary as per doctor’s advice).

Massage properly as per doctor’s advice in order to reduce the swelling and produce more favorable results.

Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection. No tub soaking while sutures or drains are in place. Fluid may drain from the cuts (incisions) for several days. The fluid will be bloody at first but will turn clear in a few days.

The area will probably be bruised and swollen for at least 10 to 14 days.

You will be able to return to your normal activities as soon as you feel comfortable. This may take several days to a few weeks. Most people can return to light work within a few days. It may take longer to get back to normal if a lot of fat is removed.

If fat was removed from your calves or ankles, you may need to wear a support hose for about 6 weeks.

Follow-up appointment is a key part of your treatment and safety

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

  1. Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
  2. Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation.
  3. You will probably be able to return to work within a few days.
  4. Avoid strenuous activities, such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. This may be in 2 to 3 weeks.

Diet

  • You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
  • Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor tells you not to).

Medicines

  • Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. Your doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
  • If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
  • If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
  • Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.

Incision care

  • You may have bandages under your compression garment. Your doctor will tell you when to remove the bandages and just use the compression garment.
  • You may use light gauze under the compression garment if the cuts are draining a lot.

Hygiene issues

  • You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor Okays it. You may remove the compression wraps when you shower. Pat the cuts (incisions) dry.
  • Do not take a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

When should you call your doctor?

  • If you have increased swelling or bruising.
  • If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
  • If you have increased redness along the incision.
  • If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
  • If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
  • If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
  • If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
  • If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
  • If you have loss of feeling or motion.