Recovery after Liposuction Surgery

Most liposuction patients go home the same day as their surgery. Usually, you will be kept in a recovery area for 2 hours, or until you have completely recovered from the anesthesia. However, you will still be groggy and will not be allowed to drive yourself home. You must have someone drive you home.

You will be bruised, swollen, and in some discomfort in the days after your liposuction. Your surgeon will give you a prescription for pain relief. You may be told to wear a compression garment day and night for the first few days or to put cold compresses on the treated areas periodically. The garment and the cold compresses help reduce and relieve swelling. Follow your surgeon's instructions.

Your incisions may or may not have sutures in them. Usually there is some drainage of fluids from the incisions in the two or three days after liposuction. This fluid will be reddish, brownish, or yellowish. Your surgeon will tell you how to keep the incisions clean and how to deal with the drainage.

You can return to work about a week after liposuction. Your surgeon will give you information on when you can exercise and resume sports or other activities.

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