Liposuction Surgery Recovery- Timeline, Diet, & Lifestyle Changes

Week-to-Week Recovery Timeline After Liposuction

As mentioned above, the recovery after liposuction surgery can take around few weeks to months. Every patient will recover at his/her own pace, but the general timeline will be as below- 

Week 1:

• Immediately after the surgery, patients will need to rest and avoid strenuous activities.
• The patient may experience pain, swelling, bruising, and soreness in the treated area.
• It’s important to wear compression garments as instructed by the surgeon to help reduce swelling and improve healing.
• Most patients can return to light activities, such as walking, within a few days.

Week 2:

• Swelling and bruising should start to improve by the second week, but some discomfort may still be present.
• The patient may be able to resume work depending on their job’s physical demands but should still avoid strenuous activities.
• Some improvement in the body shape will become noticeable within 2 weeks, but the final results will take longer.
• The patient can reduce the duration of wearing compression garments, but wearing undergarments like wired bras should be avoided.

Week 3-4:

• Most of the swelling and bruising should subside by this point.
• The patient can resume more strenuous activities and exercise but should still avoid anything that causes pain or discomfort.
• The body will continue to heal and the contours will improve gradually, and the patient may start to see more noticeable changes in his/her body shape.
• The patient can stop wearing the compression garment and wear all types of clothes to his/her liking.

Week 6-8:

• Within 6 weeks, most patients recover completely and return to their normal activities.
• The results of the liposuction procedure will start to become more apparent at this point, but the final results may take several months to a year to become clearly visible.

Remember that recovery timelines vary for each patient. And it’s important that the patient follows the surgeon’s post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a smooth and successful recovery.

Exercises Recommended After Liposuction

If a healthy diet is not combined with exercise, the patient may not be able to achieve the desired results. Though the patient is not allowed to exercise after surgery in the first month, later on, it’s imperative to start exercising.  This ensures that fat cells in other body parts don’t become active and create a disproportionate figure. Along with that, the patient also needs to focus on the visceral fat, and only exercise will help to prevent the formation of visceral fat.

Some exercises that are generally recommended after liposuction surgery are given below:

• Walking: The doctor will encourage the patient to start walking the next day after surgery. As it is a low-impact exercise, it will help improve blood flow, reduce swelling, and prevent blood clots without causing any discomfort. Patients can gradually increase their walking time and distance as they feel comfortable.
• Gentle Stretching Exercises: Stretching can help improve flexibility and reduce muscle soreness. The patient should avoid stretching the treated areas and only stretch the unaffected parts of the body. 
• Light Cardio Exercises: Low-impact cardio exercises such as cycling or using an elliptical machine can help to burn calories and improve cardiovascular health. It’s safe to start with low-resistance exercises and gradually increase it as they feel comfortable. 
• Strength Training Exercises: Also called resistance training and weight training, these exercises can help to tone the muscles and improve overall body composition. Patients should avoid strength training the treated areas and only focus on the unaffected parts of the body.
• Yoga or Pilates: These low-impact exercises can help improve flexibility, balance, and muscle tone. However, it’s important to avoid any poses or movements that can strain the treated areas.

Discuss which exercises are safe to do in the initial recovery phase. Once the body has healed completely, the patient will be able to perform all exercises, which will help to improve the body contours and enhance the results of liposuction surgery.