Once your liposuction surgery is completed,the following instructions will be given to you in order to heal properly and have a successful outcome.
TYPICAL POST-OPERATIVE SYMPTOMS
Typical symptoms of liposuction and signs to watch for after liposuction include the following:
- • Tightness and stiffness in treated areas
- • Bruising, swelling and redness
- • Tingling, burning or intermittent shooting pain
These are normal experiences as the skin, tissues and sensory nerves heal. Pain medication will help you cope with any discomfort. Consistent sharp pain should be reported to our office immediately.
Skin firmness, hypersensitivity or lack of sensitivity: This is normal and will gradually resolve over time.
Shiny skin or any itchy feeling: Swelling can cause the skin in treated areas to appear shiny. As the healing process advances, you may also find a mild to severe itchy feeling. An antihistamine like Benadryl can help to alleviate severe, constant itchiness. If the skin becomes red and hot to the touch, contact our office immediately.
Asymmetry: both sides of your body heal differently. One side of your body may look or feel quite different from the other in the days following surgery. This is normal.
CALL THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:
- • A high fever, (over 101.5º) severe nausea and vomiting, continued dizziness or incoherent behavior, such as hallucinations.
- • Any pain that cannot be controlled by your pain medication.
- • Bright red skin that is hot to the touch.
- • Excessive bleeding or fluid seeping through the incisions. (Mild seeping from your lipo incisions, of what is mostly fluid and a little blood, is normal. )
- • A severely misshapen region anywhere that has been treated with liposuction, or bruising that is localized to one specific point of the lower body.
To alleviate any discomfort, and to reduce swelling, you may apply cool, not cold, compresses to the treated region. Crushed ice or ice packs must be wrapped in a towel before being applied to the skin. Do not apply ice oranything frozen directly to the skin. Apply cool compresses for no longer than 20-minute intervals.
DAY OF SURGERY INSTRUCTIONS
Whether you are released after surgery or after an overnight stay in a recovery aftercare, you will only be released to the care of a responsible adult. All of these instructions must be clear to the adult who will monitor your health and support you, around the clock in the first 24 hours following surgery.
Rest, but not bed rest. While rest is important in the early stages of healing, equally important is that you are ambulatory, meaning that you are walking under your own strength.
Spend 10 minutes every 2 hours engaged in light walking indoors as you recover.
Recline, do not lie down. This will be more comfortable for you, and can reduce swelling. Always keep your head elevated. Do not bend forward or over.
Fluids are critical following surgery. The more you drink clear fluids, the better! The more fluids you drink, be prepared that the more you will need to get out of bed to use the restroom. Stick to non-carbonated, non-alcoholic,caffeine-free and green tea-free beverages including fruit juices and water, milk and yogurt drinks. You must consume at least 8 ounces of fluid every 2 hours. Stick with soft, bland, nutritious food for the first 24 hours. Be aware that often time’s constipation can occur after surgery. Up your fiber intake and use stool softeners and laxatives if necessary.
Take all medication, exactly as prescribed. For those with specific drug allergies, other medications may be given.
Change your incision dressings, if instructed by your doctor(s) and if necessary. Your incisions will seep fluid and some blood for a short time after surgery. Keep dressings clean and dry. Do not remove any steri-strips even if they are over stitches.
Wear your compression or elastic wraps around the clock. Follow the instructions specifically removing any compression wraps only to cleanse your incisions.
SIMPLY, you must not smoke! Smoking will only impair your ability to heal well and rapidly.
Relax. Do not engage in any stressful activities. Do not lift, push, or pull anything. Take care of no one, and let others tend to you. Do not resume any exercise other than regular walking. Walking is essential every day to prevent the formation of blood clots.
Your recovery will progress as each day passes. Ease into your daily activities. Typically, most patients will receive clearance to begin driving or return to work in 1 week, sometimes less, unless otherwise instructed.
You may shower when instructed to do so. When you do, take a warm, not hot , shower. Do not take a bath. Limit your shower to 10 minutes. Practice good sun protection. Do not expose skin in regions treated with liposuction to direct sunlight. If you are outdoors, apply at least an SPF 30 to the treated region at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and wear protective clothing. The skin in areas treated with liposuction is highly susceptible to sunburn or the formation or irregular, darkened pigmentation.
SIX WEEKS FOLLOWING SURGERY
Healing will progress and your body settles into a more final shape and position.
- • Wound care: you may start massaging your scars with a scar gel (which our office sells). You should spend approx. 2 to 3 minutes massaging your incisions, and repeat this 3 to 4 times daily for the next year.
- • You may discontinue the use of compression garments; although, Dr. Layke and Dr. Danielpour may suggest wearing them longer on an individual basis.
- • You may ease into your regular fitness routine. However realize that your body may require some time to return to previous strength. Discomfort or tightness and tingling of the skin will resolve. No need to resume smoking. You have now gone 10 weeks (4 weeks prior to surgery and 6 weeks following) without a cigarette. For your long-term health, there is no need to resume smoking.
*Continue healthy nutrition, fitness and sun protection.
- • Your scars will continue to refine. If they become raised, red or thickened, or appear to widen, contact our office. Early intervention is important to achieving well-healed scars. Scars are generally refined to fine incision lines one year after surgery.
Your body will change with age. The appearance of your body will change too. Although the outcomes of liposuction are generally permanent, any significant weight gain or loss, pregnancy as well as the normal influences of aging can cause changes to your appearance. You may wish to undergo revision surgery at a later date to help maintain your appearance throughout life. Contact our office with any of your questions or concerns, at any time.
To receive more information about liposuction, call us at 310.853.5147
