How Long Does It Take to Recover from Liposuction?
Liposuction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures there is, and we get many questions about it at Atlanta Plastic Surgery. One of the most common concerns is how long the recovery might take. This is a fairly simple question with a more complex answer; plastic-surgery recovery time can vary from person to person, and several elements go into determining how long someone’s liposuction recovery might take.
One of the main components of the recovery length of a liposuction procedure is the extensiveness of the surgery. Liposuction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, and in general, the recovery process is relatively quick. No two cases are the same, but many patients can return to work after three to ten days of recovery, then gradually resume normal activities within two to five weeks. Still, some swelling, soreness, and bruising may persist for longer, and you’ll need to be especially careful about heavy lifting and strenuous exercise until you’ve fully recovered.
Depending on the volume of fat cells removed, the location and amount of surgical site(s), and the body type of the patient, different liposuction procedures may require varying amounts of aftercare and recovery time. While you recover, the treated area may be covered by elastic bandages and a compression garment to help control swelling and guide the body to heal evenly according to its new contours.
It’s imperative that you follow your plastic surgeon’s pre and post-op instructions exactly, and be thorough in discussing any questions or concerns you may have throughout the process. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to clean and dress your surgical site, as well as how to promote the fastest, safest plastic surgery healing process. Furthermore, he or she will likely prescribe medications to take orally and/or apply to the surgical site to reduce the likelihood of infection and aid in the healing process. You’ll need to know what to look out for to ensure everything is healing properly, as well as schedule a follow-up appointment with your surgeon.
With many plastic-surgery procedures, recovery time can vary person-to-person, procedure-to-procedure, etc. “It depends” is never a satisfying answer, but it’s often the only honest one, especially before you’ve had a consultation. The only way to get a better idea of how the procedure might go for you personally is to be evaluated by an expert. If you’re considering plastic surgery and would like to speak with an experienced plastic surgeon about your options, please contact one of our Atlanta Plastic Surgery offices to schedule a consultation. There, in addition to discussing your prospective procedure, we can go over our available financing options with you, and in some cases, even offer simulations on what you may look like after the procedure. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest plastic surgery news.
