Suction-Assisted Lipectomy (Liposuction) & Liposculpting

Post-Operative Instructions

1. Bedrest for 24 hours after surgery. During the first 24 hour period, you are walk with assistance only. Dizziness and fainting can occur during this period of time when you go from a laying to a standing position. To help prevent this, move slowly when going from laying to standing or sitting positions.
    
2. No physical exertion (house cleaning, gardening, exercise, etc.) for two to three weeks.
    
3. Deep breathe and cough every 2-4 hours for the first 48-72 hours after surgery. a. Inhale as deeply as possible. Hold this breath for a few seconds and exhale completely. Repeat this ten times. b. Follow with a deep cough from the abdomen. Flex your knees to relieve the strain on your abdomen.
    
4. You will need to do foot and leg exercises while you are on bedrest every 2-4 hours.
   1. Foot Exercises:
      1. Push the toes of both feet toward the foot of the bed an pull them back toward your chin. Repeat three times and relax.
      2. Circle the left ankle to the left three times and then to the right three times. Repeat with the right ankle.
   2. Foot-leg exercise:
      1. For each leg, bend the knee and slide your foot as close to your buttocks as possible, then stretch out completely and relax. Repeat this three times, alternating with the other leg.
      2. Move your left leg outward to the side of the bed and then back to the center of the bed three times. Repeat this using the right leg.
          
5. You will need to arouse frequently for the 1st 24 hours after you get home. Talk, deep breathe and do your foot and leg exercises.
    
6. Start out drinking Cola. If tolerated with no nausea or vomiting, you may have other liquids to drink and light foods to eat. Eat lightly and drink plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours. You may resume a regular diet after 24 hours if tolerated.
    
7. Once you are taking and tolerating fluids, resume the prescription medications and take them until completely finished. Take the medications according to the instructions on the bottle.
    
8. Continue taking the vitamin C for two weeks after surgery. (No more than 1000 mg total a day.)
    
9. Continue taking the multiple-vitamin with iron for 2-3 months after surgery to restore your body's iron.
    
10. You will be placed in a full length girdle or abdominal binder after surgery, the girdle/binder will be removed in a few days in the office. DO NOT REMOVE THE GIRDLE UNTIL INSTRUCTED BY THE DOCTOR. This means you cannot take a bath or shower, you must sponge bathe.
     
11. You can expect:
    1. Moderate discomfort. Use pain medication as instructed on the bottle.The period of greatest discomfort usually lasts about 24-48 hours.
    2. Swelling and fluid retention.
    3. Bruising - varies, usually lasts approximately 2 weeks.
    4. Slight signs of blood on the dressing and girdle. It may be necessary to change the dressing.
        
12. Call the doctor if you have:
    1. Severe pain not responding to pain medication.
    2. Marked swelling.
    3. Excessive bleeding.
    4. If girdle gets too tight.
    5. Nausea and vomiting.
    6. If any questions or problems arise.
    7. If you call after office hours, tell the answering service you are a post op surgical patient and need to speak with the doctor immediately. To ensure the page has connected, please return the call to the answering service if you do not get an immediate response.
13. No alcohol until you are no longer taking prescription medications.
14. No smoking for three weeks.
15. Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 48 hours after surgery.
16. You will be seen in the office a few days after your surgery. Make arrangements for someone to drive you.
17. You will be shown how to do skin massages 2-3 days after surgery. These are important in order to minimize the adhesions following surgery and to help reduce the swelling.
18. No sun bathing for one month or until all of the bruising is gone. Do not expose the incisions to the sun for one year.
19. When you resume your physical exercise program, begin exercising at a reduced level from your pre-operative level and slowly work back to your normal level of exercise.
20. Avoid aspirin and aspirin containing products for two weeks.
21. The sutures will be removed in 7-10 days after surgery.
22. Your full cooperation in following the above instructions will maximize the results of your surgery.
23. Be sure to have the person taking care of you read these instructions.
24. Post-operative depression is not uncommon after any form of cosmetic surgery. Such depression is usually related to the immediate post-operative discomfort, anxiety over appearance (swelling and bruising) and limitation of activity and socializing. These feelings will disappear as your appearance improves and you return to your usual activities and interests.

AFTER SUCTIONING OF THE FACE AND NECK:

You must wear the support or ace bandage applied in surgery around your face and chin. Although it can be loosened and changed as necessary, it must be worn around the clock for 48 hours. For the next two days, you will wear it at night only.

You may continue to wear it at night for 7-10 days if it appears to be helpful in reducing swelling.

You can apply ice compresses to your cheek and neck areas to alleviate discomfort.

For the first 48 hours, you should take a sponge bath only.

Your sutures will be removed in the office.

FOLLOWING ABDOMINAL, WAIST, OR HIP SUCTIONING:

Patients who undergo tummy suctioning wear a Velcro-abdominal surgical binder. If the binder becomes too tight, it can be loosened and reapplied. Patients who undergo liposuctioning of thighs and hips will wear a surgical support girdle. This will reduce swelling and keep the suctioned areas in a firm position. You will wear the support day and night for the first ten to fourteen days after surgery and during the day only for an additional four to six weeks. Men may wish to wear snug biking shorts.

While lying in bed, change positions from time to time. Moving your body will increase circulation, promote healing, and help avoid stiffness.

With all liposuction procedures, gentle, deep massage should be performed beginning two days after your procedure (or when most of the tenderness has resolved). As the suctioned sites heal, the spaces fill with a fluid called serum. Massaging (or gently grinding) the areas in a circular fashion with the base of the palm for five minutes, four times a day, helps with the absorption of this fluid.

Since fat heals slower than other body tissues, results take time. Approximately one quarter of the swelling is gone in two weeks. Another one half resolves within six to twelve weeks of surgery. The remainder will resolve within six to twelve months. A few pounds of voluntary weight loss will improve the results. Sun exposure to the operative sites should be avoided for three months.

Small areas of bruising may persist for several days to a few weeks. As swelling resolves, you may also feel (but usually not see) small bumps under the skin. These, too, will resolve in a matter of days or weeks. Application of pressure with the base of your palm a few times a day can help to flatten these areas.

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