Liposuction recovery is generally smooth and well-tolerated due to its minimally invasive nature. 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 more quickly and with little or no 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 recommend you remain mobile and engage in light activities. Strenuous exercise, including going to the gym, should be avoided for at least 6 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 to help 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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How to get a smooth liposuction recovery
Recovery after liposuction is relatively 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 liposuction should avoid direct sunlight for at least 2 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 evaluate the results of your liposuction procedure.
What is the quickest way to recover from liposuction?
The quickest way to recover from liposuction is to follow all 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 prescribe antibiotics after the procedure to minimise the risk of a wound infection. It is essential to wear a liposuction compression garment, such as a binder, for at least 4 weeks after liposuction to support recovery. Wearing the compression garment helps minimise bruising and swelling, ensuring your recovery after liposuction proceeds as quickly as possible. It may be helpful 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 for the final results of a Liposuction Procedure to become noticeable. This is due to significant swelling, which can take between three and six months to fully resolve, depending on the areas of liposuction.
How long should I take off work after liposuction surgery?
We recommend that patients take at least 1 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 resume sooner than one week, while more physically demanding roles may require up to two weeks off. Patients should avoid driving for at least 1 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.
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