Liposuction - Recovering after liposuction

How quickly you recover from liposuction depends on the type of liposuction you have, how large the treated area is and which kind of anaesthetic is used.

After the operation

Liposuction is sometimes carried out as a day procedure, which means you don't need to stay in hospital overnight. However, an overnight stay may be recommended if general anaesthetic is used. Following a general anaesthetic, you will not be able to drive yourself home and will need a friend or relative with you at home for the first 24 hours.

If the treatment area is small, local anaesthetic may be used and this should be a day procedure. If only your lower body is treated you may be able to have an epidural anaesthetic instead. It usually takes a couple of hours to recover from an epidural anaesthetic, so you will often be able to go home on the day you have the procedure.

You may have to take antibiotics straight after the procedure to reduce the risk of infection. Most people also take mild painkillers (analgesics) to ease the pain and swelling afterwards. If you have a history of anaemia, you may need to take iron tablets.

After the procedure you will be fitted with an elasticated support corset or bandages for the treated area. This helps to reduce swelling and bruising, and it should be worn for several weeks after the operation. It can be taken off to be cleaned and for you to shower. Your surgeon will advise you about how long you need to wear it for.

You will also be given advice on caring for your stitches. You should be given a follow-up appointment to have your stitches removed, which will usually be after about a week.

Bruising and numbness

There will be considerable bruising to the area treated. The bruising will be worse when a larger area has been treated. Deep bruising and swelling may last for up to six months.

There may also be some numbness in the area, which should go away in six to eight weeks. To relieve any pain from bruising or swelling you can use painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Getting back to normal

It usually takes about two weeks to fully recover from liposuction, but if a small area was treated you should be able to return to work within a few days. If a large area was treated you may need up to 10 days off work to recover.

You should avoid strenuous activity for up to four weeks, although walking and general movement should not be a problem in most cases.

If you notice any problems during your recovery, such as signs of a possible infection (for example, increasing swelling, redness or pain), contact your GP or surgeon for advice.

Results

The results of the procedure are not always noticeable until the swelling has gone down. It can take up to six months for the area to settle completely. During this time you might notice some changes and subtle differences to the area.

The final results of liposuction are generally long-lasting if you maintain a healthy weight.