What to expect after Liposuction

Like all surgical procedures, cosmetic or not, there is a degree of recovery time involved with liposuction. Many people do not realize that these cosmetic procedures are still surgeries - some, like gastric bypass, are very major surgeries for a person to undergo. Part of ensuring that a patient has a positive experience with their liposuction procedure is ensuring that they know what to expect immediately after the surgery and in the weeks to follow.  

Recovery is not a time of bliss, as some may think. The time away from work and regular daily routines is replaced by discomfort and careful movements, cautious eating and ensuring that the recovery zone is kept clean at all times. Before the procedure, the surgeon will normally discuss the recovery period and the precautions that should be exercised and what should be expected.

Time Frames

The time frame which requires the most diligence is immediately following the surgery, which is usually spent in a hospital or in another facility where the care of a qualified health professional is provided. Since liposuction is normally done on an outpatient basis, most people leave to go home the same day of the surgery.   After any kind of invasive surgical procedure, swelling and bruising is a perfectly normal and common effect. It can take up to six months for swelling to complete dissipate, but normally reduction is noticeable about a week or so after surgery. A sensation of numbness is also common in the area of the surgery. Feeling usually returns to normal after about three months, but in most cases much sooner. It is also common to experience minor bleeding after liposuction or any other surgery, but it is important to monitor the flow of blood carefully. Extensive, heavy bleeding is cause for alarm and a health professional should be contacted immediately.  Due to these types of side affects however, many people elect to review liposuction alternatives.

Summary

Patients who undergo liposuction should be aware that there will be small scars where incisions were made to perform the surgery. These scars are placed carefully in discrete regions of the body, but sometimes this is not possible. The major factor in where scars will be left is on the area of the body to be treated.   It is important to carefully consider the words of the surgeon performing the liposuction in order to have an easy recovery period. He or she can guide patients better than anyone on how to ensure they do not suffer infections or tear healing tissues.

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