Liposuction: Post-operative Instructions (2024)

After the surgery, you will have very small open incisions, which allow remaining fluid in those areas to drain out. Absorbent pads are used to collect the drainage overnight until drainage stops. Your first night will be the most difficult in terms of pain and movement. You will begin to feel much better just 24-48 hours later. The incisions close by themselves when the drainage is complete. You will wear compression bandaging, which is made of stretchy fabric, to help aid in fluid drainage while helping your skin reattach smoothly to the muscle below. After all the bleeding and draining stops after a few days, you may start to wear your stage 1 low compression garment (faja) for 2-3 weeks on average and then switch to a medium to higher compression stage 2 compression garment (faja).

***If you had a tummy tuck done, you will most likely have a temporary drain attached. Wait until you come back to the office and have the drain removed first before starting to wear your stage 1 low compression garment faja. The provided abdominal binder can be worn until the drain is removed then switch to wearing the stage 1 faja for 2-3 weeks. Wewill remove the stitches from the tummy tuck incision after 2 weeks.

***If you had fat transfer to the butt done, try to avoid putting direct pressure on your butt for 2-6 weeks for best results. You can purchase a BBL pillow on Amazon to help stay off your butt when sitting (see example link below).

Expect pinkish drainage from the liposuction ports. When a bandage is wet, please change it. You should be given a bag of bandage supplies and antibiotic ointment. Rewrap the ace bandage if needed.

Eat pineapple and papaya to reduce the bruising quicker. An alternative is to take bromelain supplements (from the pineapple), three times a day, which can be purchased at GNC or the pharmacy downstairs.

When you get home, you may eat first, then start taking your medications: antibiotics (Keflex) as written and narcotics (Percocet) as needed. You should eat before you take these medications.

No heavy activity or exercise during the first week. It is ok to walk around the house and do light activities. If you do an activity and it causes pain, please don’t do it anymore.

You should have an appointment for check-up 2-7 days after surgery. Please call the office if you do not have an appointment.

Call the office if pain control with the medications given is not enough. Call us for temperature more than 101, excessive pain not relieved by the pain medications given, dizziness, bleeding. Swelling and mild bruising are common after liposuction.

Using a new non-wooden rolling pin, roll out the area liposuctioned to maximize evenness. Start this when you no longer have pain. This is a good alternative to a more costly lymphatic massage.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at the usual office number: 408-531-9970. We will be available 24/7.

RECOMMENDED POST-OPERATIVE LIPOSUCTION ITEMS

Stage 1 Faja (Low Compression Garment)
Stage 2 Faja (Medium-High Compression Garment)
Lipo foams (for the abdomen, waist/flanks, and back)
Abdominal board
Lumbar backboard
Arnica tablets and/or Arnica gel (to help heal bruises)
Bromelain tablets (to help heal bruises)
Compression socks
Tylenol 500mg (for pain and to taper off narcotics)
Fiber or laxative supplements (for constipation from narcotic pain medication)
Iron supplements (for blood loss from surgery)

Here are the links to some recommended post-operative lipo/BBL items – you can get any brand you want and can search online/Amazon – these are just some example product links:

Lipo Foams: 3 Pack Lipo Foam – Post Surgery for Use with Post Liposuction Surgery Compression Garments Such As Fajas – Medical Grade Foam

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Lipo-Foam-Liposuction-Compression/dp/B07QH7X659

Abdominal Board: Lipo Board Abdominal Flattening Post Surgery Abdominal Compression Lipo Template Flat Abs

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B3GHJBR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_W8DXPCZYN4QEJ0R584G0

Lumbar Board: M&D 9016 Lipo Foam Lumbar Molder BBL Back Board Liposuction Post Surgery

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWZ8RHG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_SG3DYGMH8K84F1A9D63F?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Or get it as a combo: M&D Tabla Abdominal Lumbar Molder BBL Back Lipo Ab Board Post Surgery Supplies Combo

Learn more: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W68B971/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_zOQ6EbH5CMHVX

FAJAS: (Start wearing your stage 1 faja after bleeding stops in a few days or if you had a tummy tuck, after the drain is removed. The provided abdominal binder can be worn until the drain is removed then switch to wearing the faja. The stage 1 faja should be low compression and worn for about 2-3 weeks after surgery. Then switch to stage 2 faja for more compression for about 6 months. You should plan to sleep in your stage 2 faja as well. Throughout the entire day, your goal should be to have your Stage 2 faja on at all hours except for when you are showering or washing your garment. It is best to purchase more than one faja so you can wear one while the other is washing. I highly recommend looking at Contour Fajas website for high-quality fajas customized for you or Sculptures Compression Wear for post-surgical shapewear. After 6 months of wearing your stage 2 faja, you can switch to a stage 3 faja with maximum compression (has wires for waist-training for best results.)

Here are some example links (if you had fat transfer to the butt – look for fajas that do no compress the hips or butt area):

Liposuction: Post-operative Instructions (2024)

References