What to Expect After Liposuction – A Look at Recovery and Results

Many people struggling to lose excess body fat through diet and exercise turn to liposuction as a viable fat removal option. Liposuction surgery can target specific body areas, such as the abdomen, thighs, and hips.

However some people may think that liposuction will give them a perfect body overnight, but that’s not the case. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that needs appropriate recovery time before the patients can see the complete results.

To make a more informed decision, it is essential to understand the recovery timeframe and follow your surgeon’s instructions to achieve the desired results.

Let us understand what to expect during the recovery from the liposuction procedure and when you can see the final results.

Liposuction Surgery Recovery Timeframe

Liposuction is performed under general or local anesthesia per the individual patients’ and surgical sites’ needs. During the procedure, a cosmetic surgeon in Delhi will make small incisions in the skin and insert a thin tube called a cannula to break and suction out the fat cells. After the suction, the incisions are then closed with sutures.

The total time it takes to recover from liposuction depends on the area of the body where the procedure was performed and how much fat was removed. Most people can go home the same day, but if a large area was treated or a lot of fat was removed, you may need to stay overnight in the hospital for observation.

Now, let us take a deeper look at the complete recovery timeline of liposuction.

Immediately After Surgery

Immediately after the liposuction surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be monitored for 24 hours for any complications from anesthesia. You can expect some swelling, bruising, and soreness. But these issues are temporary and get resolved within 2-3 days.

After 24 hours, your surgeon will give instructions for incision care and discharge you. You must have someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least the first 48 hours after the procedure.

1-3 days After Surgery

You will likely experience moderate pain and swelling for the first three days after surgery. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help you manage this discomfort. Small drains may be placed at the surgical sites to prevent fluid from accumulating and help heal. You will also be given a compression garment to wear around the treated areas. The compression garment helps reduce swelling, keep fluid accumulation at bay and support the surgical site during the recovery period after liposuction surgery.

During this time, limiting your activity and getting plenty of rest is important. You should take short, gentle walks around the room to facilitate ample blood circulation and prevent clots. Having a family or friend with you is also recommended to help you with the household chores and day-to-day activities.

1-2 Weeks After Surgery

Take at least one week off from work or other outdoor activities after liposuction to focus on managing your surgical site, maintaining your diet and nutrition and recovering properly. This will help ensure the success of the surgery. You can carry on with your normal and essential activities including personal hygiene requirements, some light office work etc.

However, avoid all strenuous physical activities during this time. Some patients may feel well enough to return to work within a week, but it is important to listen to your body and not rush it. Also, engaging in strenuous physical activities could impact your result and increase the liposuction surgery cost because other follow-up or correction treatments may get involved. Get clearance from your surgeon before returning to an exercise program or other strenuous activities. Avoid cycling, jogging, or vigorous exercise during this stage of healing, as your incision site needs time to recover.

3 Weeks After Surgery

By three weeks, swelling will continue to improve, but you may have mild bruises and lumps that will take another week to heal. You should be healed enough to return to your normal exercise routines, but be sure to wear your compression garment during exercises.

1 Month After Surgery

One month after liposuction surgery, the treated areas will be settling and starting to look and feel normal. Most of the swelling, numbness, tingling, asymmetry, contour irregularities, skin necrosis, and seroma will have gone away, but some residual swelling may remain for a bit longer. Most people can return to work and their regular workout routine at this point after getting confirmation from the cosmetic surgeon in Delhi, but some may need a little more time to heal completely.

5 Weeks After Surgery

Five weeks after liposuction, you can resume your normal routine without wearing your compression garment. However, you may still want to wear compression or supportive clothing while exercising, especially if you are doing high-impact workouts or aerobics. You may also be more sensitive to bumps and bruises than before your procedure. This is normal, and the soreness and swelling will continue improving.

6 Weeks After Surgery

It is normal to have swelling that comes and goes for several weeks after liposuction surgery. If you had a skin tightening procedure, you should start to see the actual results around this time.

3 Months After Surgery

You would be close to seeing your final results after 3 months of surgery. The swelling should be gone, your body contour should be smooth, and your clothes should fit better. Your scars should be lightening, and your skin should be tightening.

6 Months After Surgery

By six months after liposuction, most patients will have no residual swelling, and their scars will be significantly faded. It is now up to you to maintain your new shape. Although liposuction removes fat cells and treated areas are less likely to gain fat, you can still gain weight after surgery if you don’t maintain a healthy weigh.

If you are already committed to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and good overall self-care, maintain a stable weight, and your results will last longer.

Results From Liposuction Procedure

Everyone wants to know how they will look after liposuction, but each body is different and will heal differently. Liposuction is not a weight loss procedure. Liposuction aims to improve your overall body shape and make you feel more confident in your skin by removing excess fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Therefore, it is essential to have realistic expectations from the procedure and follow your cosmetic surgeon in Delhi’s instructions carefully.

Here are the results that you can expect from liposuction:

• A slimmer and more contoured body
• Improved self-confidence and body image
• A boost in energy levels
• Reduced risk of certain health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease
• Love handles are removed
• Reduced cellulite

Liposuction surgery results are permanent if you maintain a healthy lifestyle, aiding your body mass and weight stability. This is because the fat cells that are removed are gone for good. However, some fat cells in the area are left behind to maintain the nutrition balance and the body’s natural composition. If you return to an unhealthy lifestyle and start to gain fat in the body, the remaining fat cells in the area or any other area will absorb the fat and enlarge in size, leaving you with a bloated look again.

How to Maintain the Results of Liposuction?

Here are a few steps you can take to maintain your liposuction outcomes for a long time:

Maintain a Healthy Weight: As we described, it is essential to maintain a healthy weight. To do so, eat a well-balanced diet that may include eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and saturated and unhealthy fats. Eating a healthy diet will help you maintain your weight and prevent new fat from accumulating.

Exercise Regularly: Exercise is essential for maintaining liposuction results and improving overall fitness. Combine cardio exercises, such as running, biking, or swimming, to burn calories and maintain a healthy weight with strength training exercises, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, to build and tone muscles. Regular exercise helps you stay fit, boosts energy levels, and improves mood. Be sure to wait for your cosmetic surgeon in Delhi’s clearance before resuming strenuous workouts.

Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help you stay energized and avoid snacking due to hunger. Proper hydration also supports your metabolism and digestion.

Eat Smaller Meals More Often: Eating smaller meals more often throughout the day can help you avoid mid-morning and afternoon cravings and maintain steady energy levels. Many fitness and calorie-tracking apps can help you track your meals and intake.

Seek Professional Guidance: If you’re unsure how to diet and exercise to maintain your liposuction surgery results, seek professional guidance. A registered dietitian can create a personalized meal plan tailored to your needs, and a certified personal trainer can develop an exercise routine that aligns with your goals and ensures you’re performing exercises correctly and safely.

Take Away!

Liposuction is a safe and effective procedure that can help you to achieve your desired body contour. If you are considering liposuction, be sure to talk to your surgeon about your expectations and to get a realistic idea of what to expect from the procedure.

If you are looking for a liposuction surgery procedure in Delhi, book your consultation with Dr Rajat Gupta, a board-certified plastic surgeon. He will guide you through the entire procedure, including recovery and results from the procedure, so that you can make an informed decision.