Knowing what to expect from the liposuction recovery process can help you fully prepare for your procedure. At Marietta Plastic Surgery, we utilize the tumescent technique for the majority of our liposuction procedures because of its many benefits – including a shorter recovery period and less post-operative discomfort.

Depending on the extent of your liposuction procedure, you may only need to take a few days off of work. However, you will still need to avoid strenuous activity for awhile. We will advise you when it is safe to resume your regular exercise routine.

Scheduling Time Off After Liposuction

In most cases, we recommend taking about a week off work after liposuction to ensure your body has enough time to heal properly. If your procedure was minor, you may need less liposuction recovery time than this; we will discuss the exact timeframe you can expect during your consultation.

Swelling After Liposuction

Swelling is a normal side effect of liposuction. Over time, swelling in the treatment area will gradually diminish, revealing your final results. Usually, our patients notice a result immediately after surgery, but there will be swelling for a minimum of six weeks with continued improvement for 3 to 6 months.

Your surgeon will provide you with a compression garment during the initial stages of liposuction recovery to help minimize swelling and facilitate proper healing.

Exercise After Liposuction

Light forms of exercise are important during liposuction recovery. Taking gentle walks can help improve circulation in the treatment area and speed up healing. However, you should not return to your full normal exercise routine until we advise it is safe.

Most patients are able to gradually return to their prior activity level after about two weeks of recovery. Be careful not to do too much too soon: if exercise causes you discomfort at any point, you should reduce your activity level.

Every Patient Heals Differently

After evaluating the type and extent of liposuction that will best meet your needs, our board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeons will discuss in more detail what you can expect in the days, weeks, and months following your procedure. We will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure your liposuction recovery process is as smooth, comfortable, and efficient as possible.

If you have further questions about liposuction recovery, please contact Marietta Plastic Surgery today to schedule your initial consultation with one of our board-certified Atlanta plastic surgeons. Call (770) 425-0118 for our Marietta office, or (678) 494-2380 for our Woodstock office.