Liposuction is one of the most common cosmetic procedures that people undergo to reshape and refine the contours of their body by getting rid of stubborn fat pockets. While the procedure is safe and doesn’t come with any significant complications, post-surgery care makes all the difference when it comes to liposuction.
Knowing the list of things to avoid after liposuction ensures optimal surgical outcomes and recovery like no other. Since there are certain post-operative instructions that one needs to follow, our specialists at Handa Plastic Surgery prioritise an open discussion with the patient and their family for clear understanding.
To help you better understand the post-surgical practices to follow after liposuction, we will discuss and highlight all that you need to follow to improve your recovery.
1. Avoid Strenuous Activities and Exercise
The first and possibly the most important factor to keep into consideration when you are recovering from liposuction is to avoid engaging in strenuous activities and exercise. After liposuction, you need to let your body heal and recover.
If you end up engaging in strenuous activities too soon after the surgery, it can lead to a myriad of complications and even worsen swelling and slow down the recovery process significantly. Exercising before your body has fully recovered can place unnecessary pressure on the treated areas, potentially impacting the skin’s healing process.
Recommended Timeline:
- First 2 Weeks: Focus on light activities like walking to improve circulation without straining your body.
- 2 to 4 Weeks: Light exercises, such as gentle stretching or yoga, can be considered if approved by your surgeon.
- After 4 Weeks: You may gradually return to more intense workouts once cleared by your surgeon.
2. Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure
Although it is not discussed as thorough, avoiding sun exposure is another one of the things to avoid after liposuction. The exposure of direct sunlight in the treated areas can lead to complications like hyperpigmentation or dark spots on healing skin.
Not just that, prolonged and unprotected sunlight exposure can worsen the swelling in the treated sites and further prolong the recovery phase.
What To Do:
- If you must go outdoors, ensure that you are quite thorough with applying sunscreen on the skin.
- Beyond that, ensure that you are wearing long-sleeved and covered clothing that doesn’t put the treated site in direct exposure to the sun.
- You want to avoid tanning beds at all costs after getting liposuction since the intense UV exposure can be damaging for the skin.
3. Avoid Skipping Compression Garments
After you are done getting liposuction, your cosmetic surgeon will prescribe you to wear compression garments to keep the swelling in check. This promotes skin contraction and provides a better contouring to the body.
So, if you skip or don’t wear these compression garments properly, it might affect the outcomes from the surgery, which is the last thing you want to experience.
Tips For Proper Use:
- Duration: Generally, wear the garment continuously for the first 2 to 6 weeks as advised by your surgeon.
- Fit: Ensure the garment fits snugly but is not too tight, as excessive pressure can cause skin damage.
- Maintenance: Clean and wash the garment regularly to maintain hygiene and skin health.
4. Avoid Alcohol and Smoking
If you smoked or had a habit of drinking alcohol before your liposuction surgery, that’s another habit that you’d have to let go for good.
Both alcohol and smoking have direct impacts on the healing process and can prolong one’s recovery after the liposuction surgery. Studies suggest that smoking decreases blood flow, which directly hinders the healing process. On the other hand, drinking alcohol may interfere with the prescribed antibiotics or pain medications.
Alternative Choices:
- Ensure that you are prioritising drinking water and keeping yourself hydrated throughout the process.
- Instead of alcohol, switch to much healthier alternatives like herbal teas, which aid in healing.
- For the first two weeks after liposuction, avoid smoking at all costs and instead switch to nicotine-free alternatives.
5. Avoid Soaking in Water (Pools, Hot Tubs, and Baths)
After the liposuction procedure, you will have incisions on the skin, so submerging yourself in water in any form, be it pools, hot tubs or baths, is not a great option. These water bodies are usually a breeding ground for bacteria, which increase the risk of infection.
What You Can Do:
- Stick to gentle showers for the first 2-3 weeks after the liposuction procedure.
- Keep in mind that you have to keep the treated site clean and dry, so prioritise that and follow the wound care instructions as provided by your surgeon.
- If you are planning on resuming any water-related activities, wait for the incisions to heal fully before you can consider soaking in water.
6. Avoid Taking Anti-Inflammatory Medications Without Approval
One of the most common mistakes that many patients do after liposuction surgery is taking unprescribed pain and anti-inflammatory medications. The swelling, pain and discomfort after the surgery can be too much to handle at times. However, your surgeon will prescribe you relevant medications to combat those issues proactively.
Taking over the counter and unprescribed medications like ibuprofen might not be good for your healing and recovery, often increasing the bleeding and swelling.
Alternative Pain Management:
- Use pain relievers that are prescribed by your cosmetic surgeon.
- If you notice that the swelling isn’t going down, cold compress is a much better option.
- If the discomfort is getting too much, you can practice deep-breathing techniques.
7. Avoid Sleeping in the Wrong Position
Proper sleeping positions can greatly affect the healing process after liposuction. Sleeping on the stomach or sides can put pressure on the treated areas, causing unnecessary swelling and discomfort. At Handa Plastic Surgery, our surgeons provide a comprehensive rundown of all the dos and don’ts, including the sleeping position to ensure that you are healing optimally.
Best Sleeping Practices:
- Sleep on your back with your head and upper body slightly elevated.
- You should use pillows to keep yourself in place and reduce the chances of shifting during sleep.
8. Avoid High-Sodium and Processed Foods
The kind of food you are consuming also makes a lot of difference, especially when it comes to high-sodium and processed foods. These will not only worsen the recovery but also lead to fluid retention, increasing swelling and discomfort.
Recommended Diet:
- Focus on eating a well-balanced diet that is filled with nutritional foods like fresh fruit and veg, lean proteins, etc.
- You also want to include foods that are rich in Vitamin C and E because they support healing.
- Ensure that you are prioritising optimal hydration to flush out the toxins and keep inflammation in check.
9. Avoid Missing Follow-Up Appointments
After the liposuction surgery, another important aspect of the recovery process is to get to the follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery and healing. You don’t want to skip these at all. So, among the things to avoid after liposuction, missing your follow-up appointment is not one of them.
Importance of Follow-Ups:
- These appointments will allow your surgeons to assess potential complications like fluid-build up or irregularities, etc.
- Timely follow-ups also ensure that you are able to achieve optimal results.
Final Words
Proper care following liposuction is essential for a smooth recovery and to achieve the desired results. By avoiding these common post-surgery pitfalls, you can support your body’s healing process and maximize the benefits of your procedure.
If you’re considering liposuction or have questions about the recovery process, our team at Handa Plastic Surgery is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward achieving your aesthetic goals.
You can call us at 9982204355 or email us at [email protected].
