What to Expect Before and After Liposuction

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Liposuction is a cosmetic surgery that removes stubborn fat and reshapes the body. The procedure addresses many parts of the body, such as the knees, thighs, abdomen, upper arm, back, jowls, neck, and chin.

Someone grabbing their stubborn love handles.

Liposuction is not a weight-loss procedure but rather a body contouring and reshaping procedure.

If you are struggling with excess fat on certain parts of your body, even after regular exercise and a healthy diet, you may consider liposuction.

Preparing for Liposuction

Before undergoing liposuction, you may want to make several preparations. These include:

1. Receiving a Medical Evaluation

It is essential to undergo a medical evaluation before having a liposuction procedure. A medical assessment will ensure your body’s ability to handle cosmetic surgery.

Before undergoing any procedure, you should always make sure your health is good. You should also stop smoking to avoid any complications. Surgeons typically advise you to stop smoking for at least two weeks before and after the procedure.

2. Adjusting Any Medication

Before receiving liposuction, you may need to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, anti-inflammatory drugs, and certain natural supplements, as these thin the blood and can increase bleeding.

Review all of your medications and supplements with your surgeon during your consultation. Your doctor will inform you which medications are safe to take.

3. Asking Questions During Your Consultation

Your consultation is your chance to ask your doctor any questions you have about your procedure. A discussion with your doctor will cover the techniques used, the recovery, and whether or not this is an ideal procedure for you.

It is also essential to discuss your goals and expectations for this procedure.

Recovering After Liposuction

After receiving liposuction, there are several practices you can apply to your recovery for a speedy and comfortable process. These include:

1. Scheduling Recovery Time

While liposuction will not generally keep you out of work for weeks, it is still necessary to schedule some time off to rest.

Most patients return to work within one week. During the consultation, your doctor will discuss your recovery time. This period depends on the size of the treatment area.

2. Following the Instructions on Incision Care

After the procedure, you will most likely be given compression garments to wear. You should follow the instructions on how long to wear the garments. The garments can help you control swelling, bruising, and bleeding.

3. Staying Active

While it is essential to rest after surgery, you should also remain active. This activity should include taking leisurely walks around your house or neighborhood.

Being active after liposuction can help prevent blood clots from developing and can speed your recovery process.

4. Eating Right

Maintaining a healthy diet after the procedure can also help speed your recovery. Your diet should include adequate protein and iron, which aids healing.