Liposuction Side Effects

You may have some unwanted body fat that won’t go away despite crunches, cardio, and a good diet. Undergoing liposuction can help. Removing this problem body fat is a good way to slim down and look athletic and trim. Dr. Ken Smart can tailor the procedure to your needs.

The team at our Frisco, TX plastic surgery practice serving Plano and all of North Texas would like to go over the most common side effects of liposuction. This will help you anticipate the recovery process and what to expect.

Pain and Discomfort

Pain and discomfort are a common part of any surgical procedure. Patients will notice that the worst pain and soreness occur in the first day or so after their procedure. The pain should become less of an issue in the days ahead as recovery progresses.

Tips on Managing Pain After Surgery

To manage pain after surgery, patients are typically given prescription pain relievers. Be sure to take these pain killers as directed and to never exceed the recommended dosage.

Rest is also crucial for managing pain and discomfort after surgery. Avoid strenuous physical activities and focus on giving your body a chance to heal. In the days and weeks ahead, you’ll be able to return to many of the common activities you loved, but don’t push yourself too hard or too soon.

Bruising

Bruising is another common side effect with any surgery. The bruises will be most noticeable around the treatment area in the first few days. Eventually, the bruising will fade into yellowish discoloration, much like typical bruises would, until dissipating completely.

Tips to Minimize Bruising After Surgery

In addition to rest, the best way to minimize bruising is to walk around just a little bit each day as you heal. A few minutes of walking helps promote circulation, which is important after being in bed resting for so long. This is also a good way to slowly ease back into exercise routines and normal physical activity.

Swelling

Swelling is another common post-surgical side effect. It’s going to be most noticeable in the first week after surgery, and may linger for a while afterward. Thankfully it will dissipate as patients make a full recovery from their procedure.

Tips to Control Swelling After Surgery

Rest and a bit of walking each go a long way toward reducing swelling. If you’re given a compression garment, it’s a good idea to wear that during your healing process. The garment will provide support to the body as you recover, and help compress the swelled area.

How Long Do These Side Effects Last?

Generally, sensations of pain and discomfort are the first to pass. By the end of the first week after surgery, patients should experience significantly less discomfort than they did the first day after surgery.

Bruising will last for about two weeks, with residual discoloration fading over the course of the next two weeks.

Major swelling tends to go down after two weeks, with minor swelling lasting about two weeks after. Some very minor residual swelling may remain for several weeks after that.

What Should I Do If My Side Effects Don’t Improve?

If you do not notice any improvement of your side effects from day to day, it’s important to bring that to the attention of your plastic surgeon. It’s typically the sign of a serious post-surgical complication that will require professional attention and care.

Learn More About Liposuction

If you live in North Texas and would like to learn more about sculpting and contouring a slimmer frame, be sure to contact a board-certified plastic surgeon. You can reach Frisco Plastic Surgery & MedSpa by phone at (972) 334-0400.