Recovery After Liposuction

• Dr. Yates will reach out via the Symplast app.  Send Dr. Yates photos and any questions
• MEDICATIONS - follow the medication instructions.  Take the antibiotics until they are gone unless there is reason not to.   Neurontin (Gabapentin) is helpful for nerve pain but not absolutely necessary if you find it is too sedating.   Stool softeners should be taken if there are any concerns of constipation.   Treat constipation aggressively, even with suppositories if you haven't had a bowel movement within a couple of days of surgery.    Avoid narcotic pain medications as able preferring either Ibuprofen or Celebrex and Tylenol.   NO marijuana while on pain medications.
• ACTIVITY - Get up and walk
• EXERCISE - No exercise at all for 3 weeks.   Low impact excercise such as walking and very light weight lifting is OK at THREE weeks.
• Full Exercise resumes at SIX weeks
• BLEEDING AND BRUISING - incisional bleeding and drainage is normal.   Some patients ask if they can use Arnica or Sinecch which we don't require but find a degree of benefit.
• Bruising and swelling are normal and will last for weeks to months
• If we have placed absorptive pads replace them as necessary, particularly when saturated
• GARMENT - Take the garment off to shower.   BE VERY CAREFUL when removing the garment as we have found this is a common time for patient to faint.   Get up slowly, with assistance and near a bed or a chair
• GARMENT – As you remove the garment to shower, verify that there are no deep creases or irregularities in the skin caused by folds in the garment.
• GARMENT – When replacing the garment make sure it is smooth on the skin surface
• GARMENT - The first garment will be worn for THREE weeks.   At that time most patients find it comfortable to wear something like Spanx, Flexees, or other stage 2 garments.
• FOAM - We will sometimes place foam beneath the garment on the lower belly or other areas prone to swelling.   When used, foam should be worn for at least the first week and can be removed to shower
• FOAM – Purchase additional foam as desired
• SHOWER - You may shower 1-2 days after surgery.   Water directly over the incisions if fine
• SUTURES - Most liposuction incision are left open.   When sutures are place, they are dissolving and don't need to be removed
• LYMPHATIC MASSAGE - Lymphatic massage after liposuciton helps control swelling quicker and can lead to an easier recovery and in some cases improved final results.   Lymphatic massage therapists were once rare but not there are many and often at least once close to where patients live.   Schedule initiation of a lymphatic massage program soon, preferrably within the first week.   The first day after surgery is not too soon.
• Your next visit is at three weeks. In-person or via app.