What Happens After Liposuction?

Adults all around the world have undergone liposuction to achieve better body contours. This ultra-popular procedure is one of the best techniques ever developed for safe, effective fat reduction. If you’re tired of struggling with the stubborn fat that is keeping you from feeling your best, you may have questions about liposuction. Many people do. Here, we discuss some of the big ones, like what happens after surgery.

What Happens Immediately after Liposuction?

Most liposuction procedures can be performed without general anesthesia. Instead, a local anesthetic is administered to numb the treatment area. Patients may also be given a sedative to calm their nervous system for improved comfort. Even without going under general anesthesia, patients don’t hop right off the table and drive themselves home. We may observe them for a short time in a comfortable recovery area before releasing them to a loved one to take them home. Someone should also stay with the patient for about 24 hours.

The Few Weeks after Liposuction

After liposuction is complete, the doctor applies a compression garment. This reduces swelling and also helps the area heal undisturbed. Patients may take prescription pain medication for a few days but are usually on to an over-the-counter pain reliever within a week. Walking is encouraged and should begin as soon as it is comfortable to move around. This can be the day of surgery. At first, walking may be limited to around the house. Day by day, walking can increase to longer distances, such as down the street and then, the next day, around the block. Walking helps fluid disperse from the treatment area and also helps prevent blood clots. While walking is encouraged, more strenuous exercise is not. Patients must postpone their normal exercise until they are cleared to resume all normal activity.

What about Results?

Understandably, patients are anxious to see the results of their liposuction procedure. Some improvement may be visible right away. However, it can take up to 4 weeks for swelling to fully resolve. At that time, the outcome of surgery is apparent. Liposuction isn’t like weight loss. It doesn’t just shrink fat cells; it removes them for good. The body will not grow more. With a healthy lifestyle, patients can expect to maintain their slimmer shape for many years.

Now is a great time for liposuction before summer. To learn more, call 713.271.9000 and schedule a visit to our Houston or Sugar Land office.

Posted in: Liposuction

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