After Liposuction Instructions

1. Going Home: You should not plan to drive yourself home. It is recommended but not essential that you have a responsible adult be with you on the day of surgery.
   
   
2. Diet: Resume your usual diet immediately. Drink adequate amounts of water, fruit juices or soft drinks to prevent dehydration. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages for 2 days before and 2 days after surgery.
   
   
3. Activities: Quiet rest is recommended immediately after surgery. After surgery do not drive or operate hazardous machinery the rest of the day. Do not make any important personal decisions for 24 hours after surgery. Later in the day or evening you are welcome to take a short walk if desired. The day after liposuction surgery you should feel well enough to drive your car and engage in light to moderate physical activities. You may carefully resume exercise and vigorous physical activity 2 to 4 days after surgery. It is suggested that you begin with 25%of your normal work-out and then increase your activity daily as tolerated. Most people can return to a desk job within one to two days after surgery, although one must expect to be sore and easily fatigued for several days.
   
   
4. Post-Op Compression Garments: After tumescent liposuction two post-op garments are often worn in order to hold the absorbent pads in place and to provide mild compression that encourages the drainage of the blood-tinged anesthetic solution. The morning after surgery, when the garments are first removed in order to take a shower, the patient may experience a brief sensation of dizziness. Feeling lighthearted is similar to what you might experience when standing-up too quickly. It is the result of rapid decompression of the legs as the post-op garments are initially removed. Should dizziness occur, simply sit or lie down until it passes. Dizziness may be prevented be removing the first or top garment 15 minutes before removing the second garment. Beginning the day after surgery, the post-op Garments are to be removed daily to permit you to shower and to wash the garments.
   
   One or two post-op Garments (if applicable) should be worn day and night for the first 48 hours. Subsequently the smaller of the two garments and binders (if applicable) are worn until all the drainage has stopped plus an additional 24 hours. Do not be concerned if you drain for several days. Discontinuing the use of the garments and binders early may result in more prolonged drainage. Because of the comfort it provides, many patients will wear their elastic garment for about 4 to 7 days. Wearing the post-op garment for more than the minimal number of days is of no significant advantage in terms of the ultimate cosmetic results, however some patients wear the garment for additional days or weeks because of the comfort the support provides.
   
   
5. Managing Post-Op Drainage: One should expect a large volume of blood-tinged anesthetic solution to drain from the small incisions during the first 24 to 48 hours following tumescent liposuction. In general, the more drainage there is, the less bruising and swelling there will be. During the first 36 hours, you should cover your chairs and bed with towels. When there is a large amount of drainage, it is advisable to place a plastic sheet beneath the towel. For the first 24 to 36 hours, super-absorbent dressings are worn under the garment. After most of the drainage has stopped, patients need only place thin absorbent gauze dressings over the incision sites that continue to drain. Dressings are used for 24 hours after the drainage has stopped then may be discontinued.
   
   
6. Wound Care & Bathing: Keep incisions clean. Shower once or twice daily. First wash your hands, then wash incisions gently with soap and water; afterwards gently pat incisions dry with a clean towel. Apply new absorbent dressings. Incisions that have stopped draining no longer need padding.
   
   Take antibiotics as directed until the prescription is finished. Take antibiotics with food.
   
   Call our office if you notice signs of infection such as fever, foul smelling drainage, or focal redness, swelling, and pain in a treated area.
   
   DO NOT apply ice-packs or a heating pad to skin overlying the areas treated by liposuction.
   
   DO NOT apply hydrogen peroxide or plastic Band-Aids to incision sites.
   
   DO NOT soak the treated area in a bath, Jacuzzi, swimming pool, or the ocean for 7 days after surgery (showers are fine).
   
   
7. Common side-effects of tumescent liposuction: Menstrual irregularities with premature or delayed onset of monthly menstruation is common side effect of any significant surgery. Flushing of the face, neck and upper chest may occur after liposuction surgery and usually lasts for a day or two. Slight temperature elevation during the first 48 hours after surgery is a natural consequence of the body's reaction to surgical trauma. Discomfort and soreness is worse the second day after surgery, then improves daily. Two extra-strength Tylenol every 4 hours, while awake, for the just 48 hours, will reduce the inflammation, swelling, and soreness associated with surgery. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen or medications that contain these drugs, such as Bufferin and Anacin, or Advil or Nuprin for 3 days after surgery; these can promote bleeding. Bruising is minimal with tumescent liposuction. Nevertheless, the more extensive the liposuction surgery, the more bruising one can expect. Pain and swelling due to an inflammatory reaction to surgical trauma may occasionally occur 5 to 10 days after surgery; this is treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Itching of the treated areas several days after surgery may occur as part of the normal healing process. To help relieve the itching, you may try taking Benadryl as directed on the packaging. Be aware that Benadryl causes drowsiness. Benadryl is available at drugstores.
   
   
8. Schedule Follow-up Appointment at our office for approximately 6 weeks after surgery. You are welcome to return to our office for follow-up visits at no charge as often as you like. Please contact us by telephone if you have any urgent questions or problems. We are always happy to re-check you for any concerns.