Liposuction Recovery Timeline & What to Expect

Individuals who have tried different forms of diet and exercise to get rid of stubborn body fat often turn to liposuction to contour and shape their ideal figure. Liposuction offers a minimally invasive and convenient way to treat those hard-to-target areas, such as the lower abdomen, arms, back, buttocks, and thighs, where stubborn pockets of fat tend to accumulate and linger. When considering liposuction, it’s also important to learn more and plan for the recovery.

At Restora Austin, each liposuction procedure is customized to the individual needs of the patient. As such, each recovery is different. In this blog, we’ll describe a typical liposuction recovery timeline and what you can expect through each phase.

What Is Liposuction?

Liposuction is a versatile body contouring procedure that uses gentle suction to remove unwanted, troublesome fat from difficult-to-target areas. The procedure involves a plastic surgeon creating small incisions in the treatment area where a device, known as a cannula, can be inserted. The powerful yet gentle suction removes subcutaneous fat with precision. The results are smooth body contours and a more defined figure.

What Are the Different Types of Liposuction?

At Restora Austin, we offer two different types of liposuction procedures to make this already versatile procedure even more tailored for our guests.

SAFELipo^® offers a three-in-one technology that combines separation, aspiration, and fat equalization that is less traumatic to your tissues and helps reduce the likelihood of complications. Separation begins with a tumescent fluid being injected into the target area, followed by a cannula with a special wide tip being inserted under the skin. Without suctioning, the cannula is moved back and forth to gently separate the fat beneath the skin without damaging blood vessels or the supporting structure of the skin. The next step, aspiration, involves the already separated fat being suctioned away. Lastly, the surgeon uses a small fat equalization cannula to contour the remaining fat layer under the skin for softer, more natural results.

VASER Hi-Def Lipo offers another combination of technology and surgical technique. It utilizes ultrasound technology to help the surgeon remove fat from both the deep layers of subcutaneous fat and the superficial subcutaneous fat that lives closer to the skin’s surface for more precise body contouring results.

What to Expect Immediately After Liposuction?

In the first days after liposuction, you will likely feel some minor discomfort and experience swelling and bruising in the treated area. Discomfort can be alleviated with pain medication, and swelling can be minimized using ice packs and wearing the provided compression garments. The compression garment places slight pressure on the tissue to help reduce swelling, provide additional support for your new contours, and expedite healing. Instructions will be provided for caring for the incision site and managing pain.

Your range of motion may be limited, and your energy levels may feel lower than normal. You are encouraged to start taking short, slow walks as soon as you feel ready. Movement will help stimulate blood circulation and reduce the risks of blood clots.

Most patients take a few days to a week off of work, but some may choose to take up to two weeks to allow more time to recover. Any post-operative side effects should start to improve gradually after the first week of recovery with continual improvements in the second and third weeks.

Liposuction Recovery Timeline

Week One. The first week of your recovery should be spent resting and recovering. It’s important to avoid all strenuous physical activities, including exercising. Swelling, bruising, and discomfort will peak in the first week and gradually improve by the seventh or eighth day. During the first week, you are encouraged to take short, leisurely walks around your house to help encourage blood flow, but otherwise, you should rest.

Week Two. During the second week of recovery from liposuction, patients usually feel comfortable returning to work as long as their occupation doesn’t require lifting, standing for extended periods, or other strenuous work. Some swelling and bruising will remain, so the compression garments should be worn until instructed otherwise by your surgeon.

Week Three. By week three, you should start to be able to see your results. Swelling will have gone down substantially, and the incisions should be well on their way to being completely healed. You can start incorporating more exercise and movement into your day with the approval of your surgeon.

Week Four. After about a month, the treated areas are settling and starting to feel and look more like your final results. The swelling, numbness, and tingling should greatly diminish by this time; however, some residual swelling may take a bit longer to completely resolve. Most patients can return to their regular workout program while some may require a little more time as each person heals at a different rate.

Weeks Five and Six. Most people can stop wearing their compression garments by week five or six after receiving their surgeon’s approval. Most swelling and bruising should have subsided, and your final contouring results are ready to be revealed.

When Can You Resume Exercise After Liposuction?

Recovery after liposuction can take four to six weeks. During the first few weeks of your recovery, you will need to limit your activity to just light walking. At first, slow walks are recommended but gradually increase speed and intensity. During your follow-up visits at Restora Austin, we can help you determine when it is safe to add more physically demanding activities to your exercise routine. Starting slow, allowing your incisions to completely heal, and reducing the amount of stress on your body can help set up a solid foundation for optimizing your new figure.

When Will You See the Results of Your Liposuction?

You can expect to see your final results from liposuction after one to three months, depending on how much fat was removed. You won’t notice the results right away because it takes some time for your skin to adjust to your new contours and swelling to fully dissipate.

The results of your liposuction surgery are permanent because your body cannot replace the fat cells that are removed during the procedure. However, it is important to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle after your procedure as the remaining cells can expand and grow as your weight fluctuates, altering the results of your procedure. To maintain your results, engage in consistent exercise and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Where Can Liposuction Be Performed?

Common areas where liposuction is performed include:

• Around the waist
• Upper and lower abdomen
• Hips and buttocks
• Back
• Face
• Thighs
• Upper arms
• Calves
• Knees
• Ankles

Are There Any Risks Associated with Liposuction?

As with any surgery, there are some risks associated with liposuction, such as bleeding, adverse reactions to anesthesia, contour irregularities, fluid accumulation, changes in skin sensation, and fat embolism. Working with a highly qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon can greatly reduce these risks and decrease the likelihood of developing serious side effects. Dr. Ashley Gordon and Dr. Dustin Reid are both highly trained and experienced in the art of liposuction. They are committed to helping their patients achieve self-confidence using safe, effective treatments to reach their goals and improve their overall lifestyles.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation Today at Restora Austin

Now that you’re fully prepared and know what to expect from a liposuction procedure, it’s time to learn what liposuction can do for you. For more information on liposuction or to schedule a consultation, contact us online or call our office at (512) 371-8817.