Before and After Liposuction: What to Do and What to Expect

Posted: September 26, 2011

Like any cosmetic surgery procedure, you don’t just walk into the cosmetic surgeon’s office, get liposuction and leave. Liposuction involves some pre-operative and post-operative care in addition to the procedure itself. With liposuction especially, maximizing the effectiveness of the procedure involves sticking to those care instructions as closely as possible. So what can you expect before and after your liposuction procedure?

Pre-Operative Preparation
Many weeks ahead of your surgery, your cosmetic surgeon will give you a detailed list of instructions. You can expect some dietary restrictions, especially in the 24-48 hours ahead of your surgery. If you smoke, your cosmetic surgeon will ask you to stop. Additionally, avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatories, as they make the blood thin and increase bleeding.

Post-operative Care
Expect some swelling after liposuction, as well as drainage and minor bleeding through incision sites. Swelling is mitigated by using a compression garment; expect to wear the compression garment for as long as 8 weeks after the surgery, as it helps the skin reattach to the underlying tissue. With proper post-operative care, your body should fully recover and take shape in as little as 3 months.

What Not to Expect
Modern techniques have made liposuction as minimally invasive as possible, but it is still an invasive cosmetic surgery procedure. It is not a miracle cure and cannot replace diet and regular exercise. The best candidates for liposuction are generally healthy individuals who have some excess fat that won’t go away.

Liposuction is an effective fat removal procedure, but the results can be highly dependent on your pre- and post-operative care. By sticking as closely as possible to your cosmetic surgeon’s instructions, you should emerge from your liposuction procedure with a slimmer, healthier body. The staff here at Aguirre Specialty Care will make sure you have all the information you need for a successful procedure before, during and after.