Liposuction: Lifestyle and Maintenance Advice Post-Procedure

Introduction

Liposuction itself is a simple enough procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision, usually about 1 cm (0.5 inch), and inserts a vacuum tube into the area of the body where the fat is to be removed. Sometimes, to help with the suction, a liquid is added to the body. Other aids include ultrasound, lower radio frequencies, and the use of a laser.

As with any surgery, following your doctor’s post-operative care instructions is crucial to your healthy recovery. Not doing so could lead to torn sutures, internal bleeding, and/or infection, and any one of these three might necessitate a second surgery.

Dietary Recommendations

Modifying your diet is important because you don’t want to gain weight and/or stretch the affected skin. Additionally, a better diet is healthier in the first place. Things to avoid include: 

• Processed foods
• Foods high in saturated fat
• Sugar
• Alcohol

While it is permissible to have these after a certain period of time, it’s a good idea to be more mindful of what you eat. Things to include in your diet are: 

• Lean proteins
• Fresh vegetables
• Whole grains
• Tofu

Fruits are OK, too, but they are sky-high in sugar, so moderation is key. Tofu, which can be flavored almost any way you want, is quite flexible and can be "customized" to meet your individual palate. It’s also important to stay hydrated. 

In all cases, eat a balanced diet of "a little of this and a little of that." Not only is always eating the same thing unhealthy, but it’s also boring.

Exercise Regimen

You’ll have to take it easy for several weeks after your procedure. For the first week, even just walking around your home will be enough. 

As those first four to six weeks progress, however, you can start to ramp up the intensity so that by the time you get to the end of the sixth week, you can go at it as hard as you can. Cardiovascular exercise is the best kind because it strengthens the only truly indispensable muscle in your body: your heart. 

If you have weak knees, legs, or back, then you can do water exercise. Aquafit and swimming are excellent cardiovascular workouts, and they don’t put undue strain on your muscles.

Lifestyle Adjustments

In addition to eating better and maintaining or starting an exercise regimen when it’s safe to do so, you can set a regular sleep cycle, leave work at work, take time for family and friends, and slow down a little to relieve your stress. You also have to continue to do all those other things that you started as part of your liposuction aftercare.

The trick is to adopt these new lifestyle strategies one at a time even before you have the procedure. If you’re used to them by the time you have the procedure, then it won’t be a giant culture shock thereafter. 

Remember, though, that the exercise will have to wait once you have the procedure done.

Follow-Up Care

Your doctor will monitor your progress over time after your initial recovery. There are some things that you might have to do that others won’t. For example, if you had fat removed from your calves, then you might need to wear support hose for two weeks or so. Everyone has to take at least a two-day break from showering, and your doctor has to give you the "OK" to be able to shower or bathe again.

While you’re recovering, there are certain things that might happen for which you would have to call 911. These include: 

• Passing out for no reason
• Severe difficulty in breathing
• Sudden chest pain
• Signs of a serious infection
• Coughing up blood
• Uncontrollable bleeding from your incision

Less severe problems that would require a call to the doctor but not for an ambulance would include signs of a lesser infection, shortness of breath, lower-leg pain, redness or swelling anywhere, or a fever.

Regular checkups are important so that your doctor can continually assess your progress. If you’re careful, follow your doctor’s advice, and take care of yourself during your six weeks, then you shouldn’t encounter any problems.

Consult Dr. Massey

Change your habits before surgery. Dr. Ralph Massey will give you the best post-operation advice for rest, recuperation, and healing. Continue the good habits you adopted before surgery when your six weeks of recovery is over. Contact us for a consultation to learn more about taking care of yourself after liposuction.