Liposuction is designed to remove stubborn pockets of fat that are resistant to diet and exercise. Not everyone is a good candidate for liposuction, however, and not everyone experiences the same results from surgery. Learn more about what you can expect as you heal from a liposuction procedure.
What to Expect When You Wake Up from Surgery
The day of your
liposuction procedure, you really won't be able to see your results because the treatment areas will be bandaged. Over the next few days you may be able to get a glimpse of your appearance when your bandages are changed; however, it is important to keep in mind that your appearance will continue to change. In the first few days after surgery, your focus should be on recovery rather than results.
What to Expect a Week after Surgery
A week after liposuction surgery the treatment area will likely appear bruised and swollen. Due to swelling, it's difficult at this point to get an idea of what your results will look like. By the second week of recovery your stitches should be out and the swelling should start to dissipate.
What to Expect a Month after Surgery
By the end of the first month after your procedure, most of the bruising and swelling should have subsided. This is the point where you can resume normal activities like exercise.
Every patient has a unique healing process, for some patients their final results may be visible a month after surgery, for others, swelling will continue for up to two months, obscuring the final results.
Long-term Results
Final results should be visible 1-2 months after liposuction surgery. Some patients may experience skin laxity for a time near the treatment area, but over time skin should tighten up naturally.
Keep in mind that you can minimize your recovery time and see results sooner if you follow your
plastic surgeon's post-op recovery instructions.