What will the day of liposuction surgery be like? Liposuction can be executed in an office-based facility, a surgery center or an outpatient hospital facility. Several types of anesthesia can be applied for liposuction procedures. Together, you and your surgeon will decide the type of anesthesia that allows the most safe and efficient level of ease for your liposuction operation.
If only a small quantity of fat and a limited number of body sites are involved, liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia, which numbs only the affected area(s). All the same, some patients pick out general anesthesia, particularly if a great volume of fat is being dispatched. If this is the case, a nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist will be called to make sure you’re completely asleep during the operation.
When the procedure is accomplished, you will be taken into recovery where you’ll be closely monitored. Any aggravation will be checked by medications, and your prescriptions can be taken at home. A compressive dressing such as an elasticized bandage, sponge or specially designed garment could have been placed over the areas that were liposuctioned. Your liposuction surgeon will tell you how long you should wear the liposuction garment and will apprise you on how to remove it so that you could shower or bathe.
You likely will be allowed to go home after a few hours, although some liposuction patients may stay overnight in the hospital or surgical facility. The day after liposuction surgery, you should move around a little to promote circulation. You should limit yourself to these movements for the first few days. Remember, you must not take aspirin or certain anti-inflammatory medications, and you shouldn’t smoke for a while following liposuction surgery.
When your dressings are removed by your liposuction surgeon, you will notice swelling and bruising, which is to be expected. Swelling usually begins to subside a week or so following liposuction surgery, while bruising can last three weeks or longer. There may also be numbness in some areas, and it may take several weeks before feeling returns. If stitches need to be removed, this is typically done within 5-7 days after liposuction surgery.
Most liposuction patients can come back to work in just a few days. In many instances, you are able to resume most of your normal activities within one or two weeks and begin some form of exercise soon after. Your recuperation depends on the extent of your liposuction, as well as your individual condition before liposuction surgery.
