Short Summary
Liposuction surgery is a critical cosmetic procedure that indulges major side effects even while the procedure is ongoing. Make sure to know in detail about the process before opting to undergo the same. Also, it would help if you choose an expert and experienced cosmetic surgeon to perform liposuction.
What are the long-term side effects of liposuction?
We often wonder what are the complications of liposuction in the long term. Well, the long-term side effects of liposuction can vary from patient to patient. The liposuction procedure removes the unwanted fat cells permanently from the target areas of the body.
Thus, the new fat cells will be deposited in different body parts if you gain back the weight. This might give you a distorted look. The new fat can also appear deeper beneath the skin, which can be dangerous if it grows around the heart or liver.
Some liposuction surgery undergoes also experience permanent nerve damage and changing sensations. Others might develop indentations in the suctioned body areas or have a wavy or bumpy skin surface. Lastly, some patients might develop depression in the long run.
Short Summary
The liposuction procedure is an elective cosmetic surgery that involves significant side effects and risks. Some fat removal surgery side effects last longer, and one must be prepared to like them. Before opting for liposuction, meet with a certified plastic surgeon and discuss the potential risks and complications.
How Long Is Liposuction Surgery Recovery?
People often ask how long lipo side effects last and how long the recovery period is. Liposuction surgery patients might need to remain in the hospital under intensive care, depending on the surgery they undergo. You should expect swelling, bruising, and soreness for the following few weeks of the procedure.
The surgeon might need you to put on a compression garment for a couple of months after undergoing the liposuction surgery to limit swelling. There also can be some antibiotic prescriptions to prevent any infection breakout. Though every patient is different, most patients can return to work within merely a few days of surgery. In addition, they can resume their everyday lives within about two weeks of undergoing the procedure. However, every patient is a distinct case.
Once you undergo liposuction surgery, there will be ample questions about recovery you must ask about your surgery. Some such questions include the following:
- Will I be wearing bandages?
- What are the medicines I should be taking?
- When can I hit the gym again?
- How soon can I resume my physical activities?
- How frequently should I come for follow-up visits?
- What side effect signs should I look out for?
- When can I resume work?
- Are there any food restrictions?
- Can I booze and fag?
- What To Expect During Liposuction Surgery Recovery?
As a certified plastic surgeon, liposuction recovery can be conveniently broken down into two categories: immediate and long-term recovery.
Immediate recovery is when you can return to work immediately after undergoing treatment. The immediate recovery depends on the areas undergoing liposuction and the technique used. It can take up five to seven days to get back to work and about four to six weeks to start indulging in physical activities such as hitting the gym.
On the other hand, a long-term recovery takes up to three months or more to get back to everyday life. This duration is required for the swelling to decrease ultimately.
Liposuction Recovery Stages
The liposuction surgery recovery stages can be classified into the following subsections.
- Immediately following the surgery – The surgeon will use a compression garment through-t to pressurize the areas that undergo liposuction. When the surgery is performed, the patient is put on anesthesia, and they feel no pain. Therefore, initially, the process is not uncomfortable.
- A few hours after the liposuction surgery – Once the effect of anesthesia wears off in a few hours, a moderate feeling of discomfort seeps in. What part of the body undergoes liposuction determines the level of soreness a patient will have. It would be best to stay at the medical care clinic or hospital for the night so the professionals can closely monitor your post-surgery period. The doctors need to monitor dehydration or any fluid changes.
- At three to five days after surgery – After three to five days of undergoing liposuction, you will require revisiting the doctor. The doctor will remove your compression garment and check the cannula incisions.
- The first week after the surgery and beyond – After the first week of liposuction, the doctors ask the patients to gently massage and try to move the collected fluid to smoothen the surface. After this, over the upcoming few weeks, there can be a significant decrease in swelling of the treated areas.
Remember that recovery time varies from patient to patient and is also determined by the type of liposuction performed.
Recovery Tips
Following some liposuction recovery tips can help you heal better and quicker. They can also make you feel more comfortable during the recovery period. Let us look into some excellent liposuction recovery tips in the points below.
- Use Compression – First and foremost, you must wear a compression garment to promote healing and comfort. Doctors suggest that using a compression garment in the initial 72 hours of the liposuction surgery is critical in speeding up the recovery process.
- It helps to reduce pain, swelling, and bruising. It also accelerates the drainage of excessive anesthetic fluids. Different surgeons prescribe different durations for wearing compression garments. But typically, it is four to six weeks that the skin easily adheres to the new contour and eliminates bruising.
- After a few hours of liposuction surgery, you will feel soreness. This is an ideal time to get your blood flowing. Therefore a light exercise in the form of a mild walk should help you to recover.
- Once you take your bandages off, you can ice the liposuction areas; Icing will ease the discomfort and offer relief.
- Use pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications as prescribed by the doctor
- Lymphatic massages should help you decrease the swelling significantly. Try it after a week after your liposuction surgery.
Short Summary
The recovery period for any medical procedure is sensitive. The health condition depends significantly on how well one receives. Therefore, it is essential for you to thoroughly take care of yourself during the recovery phase after having liposuction surgery done.
Results of Liposuction
Once the liposuction procedure is done, there are some immediate side effects like swelling, bruising, etc. Mainly swelling subsides within the first few weeks. By the end of these few weeks, the area under treatment should begin appearing less bulky. As time passes and by the end of several months, the treated individual should have a leaner appearance, especially the treated areas.
Losing the skin’s firmness is a natural process that comes with age. But liposuction surgery results in typically long-lasting effects as long as you maintain your body weight. If you happen to gain the weight back, your body fat distribution might alter. For instance, you can gain back fat around your abdomen even if you were initially treated well. Therefore, you need to maintain your body weight after undergoing liposuction surgery.
Read Too:- How Liposuction Helps in Reducing the Size of Your Body Parts?
Are the Results Permanent?
The fat cells during liposuction surgery are permanently removed. But one can gain back the weight with the generation of newer fat cells. These fresh fat cells typically store in different body parts, giving your body a new and different shape.
If you now wish to regain weight after the liposuction surgery, you must follow a diet that involves ample fruits, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat fare, etc. In addition, you should also concentrate on regularly exercising. If exercising does not interest you, ensure to indulge in walking daily.
Conclusion
Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that removes unwanted fat cells in an individual’s body. It is a major cosmetic surgery with various side effects, complications, and risks. But, there are precautions and steps one must take to ensure a smooth procedure and quick recovery. Some of such steps involve using a compression bandage and avoiding strenuous activities. Lastly, keep in touch with an expert and experienced doctor to guide you throughout the recovery process. To know more about liposuction surgery in Delhi NCR, book your appointment at Care Well Medical Centre now. with a specialist, you can immediately address your concerns and avoid significant mishaps.
References:
- Liposuction. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed Jan. 3, 2019. (Link)
- Kenkel JM, Lipschitz AH, Luby M, Kallmeyer I, Sorokin E, Appelt E, et al. Hemodynamic physiology and thermoregulation in liposuction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;114:503–13. (Link)
- Flynn TC, Coleman WP, 2nd, Field LM, Klein JA, Hanke CW. History of liposuction. Dermatol Surg. 2000;26:515–20. (Link)
- Fournier PF, Otteni FM. Lipodissection in body sculpturing: The dry procedure. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1983;72:598–609. (Link)
