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Liposuction recovery is generally smooth and well tolerated due to the minimally invasive nature of this procedure. Liposuction recovery commences as soon as you wake up from the anaesthetic. Here at Centre for Surgery, we specialise in total intravenous anaesthesia, the most advanced form of anaesthetic for day surgery. Patients wake up quicker and with little or no symptoms of nausea or sickness. This allows patients to start the first phase of liposuction recovery in the best possible condition. In most cases, we recommend taking one week off work as bruising and swelling will be most evident during the first seven days. Discomfort should be minimal after liposuction, and we would recommend you remain mobile and carry out light activities. Strenuous exercise, including going to the gym, should be avoided for a minimum of six weeks. Keeping mobile helps to prevent the risk of deep vein thrombosis and has been shown to speed up healing after liposuction.
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Liposuction recovery does not involve significant discomfort with any pain easily controlled with over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol. You will need to wear a specialised compression garment after the procedure, which helps to minimise swelling. This should be worn for at least six weeks. Final liposuction recovery is evident by approximately six weeks after the procedure. Your surgeon will review you after six weeks to assess your progress. The final results of liposuction may take between 3 to 6 months to appear.
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What do Centre for Surgery advise for a smooth liposuction recovery?
Recovery after liposuction is fairly quick compared with more invasive surgery such as a tummy tuck. Surgeons at Centre for Surgery would recommend you take it easy for the first few days after the procedure to promote optimal healing. You should make sure you wear the prescribed compression garment continuously. This will help make you feel more comfortable, smooth the skin, and reduce skin rippling or lumpiness. There are several side effects which may occur after liposuction. Patients may experience any of the following symptoms:
- Bruising and swelling, which may take at least three months to disappear
- Temporary numbness, which should resolve after six weeks
- Liposuction scarring
- Localised inflammation in the treated area may result in fibrosis
- Prolonged fluid leakage from liposuction incisions
- Swollen legs and ankles, particularly after calf and ankle liposuction
People who have had a liposuction procedure should avoid strong sunlight for at least two weeks. You must attend a post-operative review appointment with one of our nurses to assess your healing and change dressings if required. Six weeks after your surgery, you will have a postoperative checkup with your surgeon to assess the results of your liposuction procedure.
What is the quickest way to recover from liposuction?
The quickest way to recover from liposuction is to ensure you follow all of your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions. When the procedure is complete, you should organise for a friend or relative to pick you up from the clinic and drive you home. Due to residual anaesthetic effects, you will not be allowed to drive or operate machinery for a minimum of 24 hours after the procedure. Your surgeon may issue a prescription for antibiotics after the procedure to minimise the risk of developing a wound infection. It is important to wear a liposuction compression garment, such as a binder, for a minimum of four weeks after liposuction to assist with recovery. Wearing the compression garment helps minimise bruising and swelling and ensures your recovery after liposuction proceeds the fastest way. It may be useful to have two compression garments so that one can be washed while you wear the other. It is important to avoid vigorous physical activity for a minimum of six weeks after undergoing liposuction surgery. Once you arrive home after the procedure, you will have round-the-clock access to our specialist nursing team for any questions or concerns. Our post-operative nurses are trained in all aspects of liposuction aftercare. It may take several weeks before the final results of a Liposuction become noticeable. This is due to significant swelling, which can require between three and six months to disappear fully, depending on the areas of liposuction.
How long should I take off work after liposuction surgery?
We recommend that patients take a minimum of one week off work after liposuction surgery. The best time to return to work will depend on the type of work undertaken and the areas of the body where liposuction was performed. Office-based work may be resumed sooner than one week, with more physically demanding roles requiring up to two weeks off. Patients should avoid driving a car for at least one week after surgery. Please ask your Surgeon when it is considered safe to start driving again.
Will I get liposuction pain, and how long does it last?
Mild to moderate discomfort should resolve within a few days of the procedure. Over-the-counter painkillers are effective in relieving any liposuction pain. Further advice can be obtained from our post-operative nursing team, who are available at any time to assist you.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for liposuction?
Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic in London and is home to some of the top liposuction surgeons in the UK. We are experts in liposuction with many years of experience, including 360 liposuction. Call us today to book a consultation at 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below, and one of our patient coordinators will be happy to assist you.
