How Long Does It Take to Recover From Liposuction?

A survey done by Gallup found that around 40-50% of people consider themselves overweight. While these people can certainly make lifestyle changes to eliminate fat, there are some areas that may stubbornly refuse to change.

A procedure called liposuction can remove this excess fat, which results in a more contoured look for your body. But even though it’s relatively minor compared to other types of plastic surgery, there’s still a recovery period for liposuction.

To prepare yourself for this procedure, you may be asking: How long does it take to recover from liposuction? This article will give you the answer, as well as a week-by-week recovery timeline.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From Liposuction?

The liposuction recovery time will depend on the individual, as well as how much fat you had taken from your body, and where.

But generally speaking, most of the swelling should go down in the first week. Then, you’ll see the final results in a few months.

Liposuction Timeline for Recovery

You’ll want to know what to expect at each stage of recovery, as well as ways to promote healing. Of course, recovery time can vary based on factors such as the areas treated and the fat removed, as well as your overall health and your body’s natural healing process.

Here are the general things you can expect for liposuction results, week by week.

Week 1: Immediate Post-Op Phase

Because you’re fresh out of surgery, you’ll feel the worst in this period. Discomfort will peak in the first 48-72 hours, but it’ll gradually improve. Swelling, bruising, soreness, and fluid drainage are all normal.

You may have drain tubes for the first few days, and you’ll have limited mobility. So you should avoid strenuous activity. The doctor may also have you wear a liposuction compression garment 24/7 to help reduce swelling and contour the treated area.

During this time, you should take prescribed pain medications or NSAIDs. Don’t take baths, nor should you go swimming or soaking in hot tubs. You can walk around gently to prevent blood clots, stay hydrated, and eat a light and healthy diet.

Typically, you’ll have a follow-up appointment during this week. The doctor will see how you’re healing up and ensure you don’t have infections.

Week 2: Subacute Healing

In week 2, you’ll see the swelling and bruising subside. As a result, the pain will lessen significantly too, which means that most patients switch to over-the-counter pain relief.

You can return to light desk work or activities if approved by your surgeon. But the compression garment should still be worn most of the time.

Continue gentle walking and begin lymphatic massages if they’re recommended. Keep your incisions clean and dry, and avoid alcohol and smoking, both of which can hinder healing.

Weeks 3-4: Early Recovery and Contouring

In these weeks, the most visible bruising will resolve. The swelling will continue to go down too, but it still may be noticeable. 

Despite this, you may start to see subtle body contour improvements. You should manage your expectations though; be patient, as your final results aren’t just visible yet. Continue eating healthy to support healing.

You should still be wearing the compression garment, although it only needs to be worn during the day and removed at night. Of course, you should follow your doctor’s advice here.

It’s likely that your energy levels will start improving here. You can resume light exercise, but don’t resume strenuous exercise or heavy lifting yet.

Weeks 5-6: Intermediate Healing

You’ll now have a noticeable reduction in swelling and firmness, and the treated areas will feel less tender. If swelling remains, then continue wearing your compression garment.

Since you’ll have improved mobility and comfort in daily activities, you may be able to return to more moderate exercise, like cycling or light weight training (with approval). On that note, you should follow up with your surgeon to assess healing and the results.

Weeks 7-8: Late Recovery

Most of the swelling should be resolved, and your body’s new shape should be more apparent too. You may still have scar tissue under the skin, but it’ll soften over time. If advised, use scar treatments, such as silicone sheets or creams.

At this point, your doctor may have advised you to stop wearing the compression garment. You can likely return to full workouts and activities, and you should stay consistent with a healthy lifestyle.

3-6 Months Post-Op: Final Result

Typically, final results are visible at this point since all swelling should be gone. The scars will fade and flatten with proper care, although your skin may continue to tighten and adjust to your new contours.

We recommend that you maintain a stable weight and follow long-term care instructions for your scars and skin. In addition, schedule routine check-ins with your surgeon.

Additional Recovery Notes

As we’ve mentioned, the recovery process will differ depending on several factors. One main one is the area(s) you’ve had liposuctioned.

For example, a small-area procedure (such as the chin or arms) may have a faster recovery, while large-volume or multi-area liposuction may take longer to heal. That means the Lipo 360 recovery time would be much longer than with a chin lipo surgery.

The most important thing is that you listen to your body and your plastic surgeon. Following the instructions will minimize risks and aid healing.

Know What to Expect for Liposuction Healing

So, how long does it take to recover from liposuction? It’ll depend on the area(s) you have the procedure done on, as well as your individual healing process. However, in general, you should be able to return to work after a week, although final results will take a few months to appear.

Just remember that taking it day by day for liposuction recovery is essential. With patience, you’ll see your body’s eventual transformation, and it’ll be worth all your effort.

Get in touch with us now to schedule a consultation for liposuction. Dr. Valdez can perform MicroAire, which is SAFE lipo.