Liposuction Recovery Process and Aftercare
You will almost certainly experience some fluid drainage from the incisions, which can be dramatic and needs to be anticipated in terms of protecting clothing, car seats, and mattresses. It is wise to obtain an impermeable or rubber sheet for aftercare for this reason.
This drainage usually stops within 48 hours. At that point, you will be seen in the office, and the initial dressings will be removed so all incisions can be checked. You will then be able to shower. Wearing the elastic garment is optional at this point. Some patients feel more comfortable with it, while others, especially in the summer, find them unpleasant. There is no data to suggest wearing a garment improves the overall outcome. Certain side effects of liposuction include pain, burning, swelling, bruising, oozing (blood-tinged fluid), and temporary numbness.
Additional Reading
The pain is usually well controlled with the prescribed medication, but a feeling of soreness persists for several days to several weeks. It takes at least six weeks to begin to feel normal again. The skin is usually quite numb and feels very hard to the touch. It may even take as long as six months for the tissues to feel absolutely normal, depending on the extent of the procedure. Most patients return to sedentary type work in a few days to a week and to physical work in one to two weeks. Though moderate exercise (e.g., walking) is encouraged in the early post-operative period, vigorous exercises such as swimming, jogging, aerobics, and weight training should generally be avoided for about a month. Dr. Capella will be following you on a regular basis to give you specific feedback about your activity level.
