If you’re considering undergoing a body-contouring liposuction procedure, it’s important to have a solid understanding of what you can expect after the surgery. Like all surgical procedures, liposuction comes with a fair amount of downtime, so you’ll need to be prepared for that.

 

Knowing what to expect in terms of recovery time and post-procedure care will help you determine whether liposuction is right for you. It’ll also help you pre-plan for any work or other accommodations you might need as your body heals.

 

Here’s what you need to know about typical liposuction recovery timelines, what affects the healing process, and the side effects you may experience.

Liposuction Recovery Timeline: How Long Does Healing Take?

Every body and every liposuction procedure is unique, so recovery timelines vary from person to person. However, you can expect your liposuction recovery process to take at least six weeks, and most likely, complete healing will take longer than that.

Factors That Affect Liposuction Recovery Time

Your age, medical history, and overall health will all play roles in determining how fast your body heals after a liposuction procedure. Every body heals at its own pace, and it’s important to allow your body plenty of time and rest to do that.

 

Generally, the younger you are, the faster you’ll heal, but that’s not a guarantee. And the better you maintain your health throughout the recovery process, the quicker the treatment area will heal.

 

Don’t try to rush the process or get back to doing all of your normal activities faster than your surgeon recommends. If you do, you could end up negatively impacting your final results or even putting your health at risk. 

Liposuction Recovery: Post-Surgery Care Tips for Optimal Results

Liposuction is typically an outpatient surgery, so you’ll most likely go home on the same day you have the procedure done. In some cases, primarily when a substantial amount of fat is removed, overnight observation may be necessary.

 

If you’re planning to have a BBL, that’s typically an outpatient procedure, too. Check out what you should know about how the Brazilian Butt Lift Procedure works.

 

When you go home, it’s crucial that you follow your surgeon’s care tips to the letter. Any deviation from those recommendations can, and most likely will, affect your recovery timeline and possibly your overall results.

 

Here’s what you’ll need to do to encourage optimal healing after liposuction.

The First Two Weeks

Expect moderate pain, swelling, and soreness immediately after the procedure. This will likely last for at least a week, if not a few days more. During this time, you’ll need to:

 

  • Wear your compression garment as instructed, for as long as you’re instructed to do so.
  • Care for any drains at the surgical sites according to your surgeon’s instructions.
  • Take any prescribed pain medications according to your surgeon’s instructions.
  • Limit your physical activity as much as possible during the first few days after surgery. Ask for help around the house—don’t try to do normal chores/tasks yourself.

Weeks Two Through Five

After two weeks, you’ll likely see a considerable reduction in swelling and discomfort. During this time, you:

 

  • May be able to return to your job after about two weeks if it doesn’t involve a lot of physical activity. If you have a physically demanding profession, you may need to wait a little longer to return to work.
  • May be able to resume light exercise at the four-week mark. Avoid performing any strenuous activities.  

 

At the six-week mark, you should see the majority of swelling and bruising subside. However, it can take months for the swelling to completely go away. At this point, you’ll likely be able to stop wearing your compression garment, but your surgeon will let you know exactly when you can do that. You’ll most likely be able to return to normal activities as well.

 

For more useful information on liposuction and post-procedure recovery tips, check out What Are the Benefits of Liposuction? and Liposuction FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered.

Schedule a Free Liposuction Consultation at Arijai Aesthetics

If you’re interested in liposuction and body contouring or a Brazilian Butt Lift procedure, our team at Arijai Aesthetics would love to help you achieve the body of your dreams. Our cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Chris Balgobin (aka Dr. BBL), is one of the leading and most well-known BBL surgeons in the United States and is truly passionate about helping each patient look and feel their best.

 

To learn more or find out if you’re a liposuction candidate, please call our office at 952-435-0605 to schedule a free consultation. You can also request a consultation online, and we’ll reach out to get you scheduled!