How Long is Recovery from Liposuction? A Comprehensive Guide

Liposuction is an operation that removes excess fatty tissue from areas of the human body where it cannot be achieved through diet and exercise. These days, more than 2 million liposuction procedures are performed annually around the world, and every year the popularity of this procedure is growing by an average of 10-15%.

There is a widespread belief that liposuction helps to lose weight, but this is not entirely correct. This procedure is performed to improve the appearance of local areas of the body. When a person gains weight, fat is evenly distributed throughout the body. Liposuction can remove it in a specific place (for example, in the abdomen, but the general parameters of the figure do not change).

In addition to its undeniable aesthetic benefits, removing excess fat deposits significantly reduces the risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other weight-related problems in the body, and also increases the patient’s self-confidence.

Despite the high effectiveness of liposuction, you need to understand that the effect cannot be assessed the very next day after the operation – the recovery process takes a certain time, and it may not proceed as easily as the patient would like. So that the recovery period does not become an unpleasant surprise for you, we will describe in detail its stages and their features. So, let’s talk about how long is recovery from liposuction.

A few hours after the operation, swelling appears, which increases and reaches a maximum on the 3-4th day. There may be hematomas, pain and discomfort at the site of the procedure. Particularly pronounced swelling occurs on the back, thighs and abdomen due to the removal of a large volume of fatty tissue. From the first day after liposuction, the patient must wear compression garments.

Postoperative manifestations begin to gradually subside after 8-15 days. The swelling lasts the longest in the shin area. At this time, it is extremely important to follow all the recommendations of the attending physician so that rehabilitation is completed as quickly as possible.

What to expect 8 weeks after liposuction? After about 2 months, swelling and discomfort disappear, and health returns to normal. With large volumes of liposuction and the patient’s predisposition to hematomas, complete recovery may take 5-6 months. To speed up recovery and minimize discomfort, it is important to follow these guidelines:

• continue to wear compression garments;
• eat right to avoid weight gain;
• cover seams and scars with clothing or adhesive tape to protect them from external factors;
• carry out lymphatic drainage massage, which will speed up recovery.

So, liposuction pain last about 5-8 weeks, but the most unpleasant sensations are observed during the first 2 weeks.

You should be prepared for the doctor to prescribe several routine postoperative examinations. They won’t take much time, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. The specialist needs to make sure that the recovery is going well. Based on the condition of his patient, he prescribes medications and medical procedures.

Compliance with all medical recommendations largely determines how quickly and easily recovery will occur in the postoperative period. Therefore, it is important to take these recommendations seriously.

To minimize discomfort, speed up tissue regeneration, shorten recovery time and prevent the development of complications, doctors recommend that patients after liposuction take the following measures:

• wearing compression underwear from the first day after liposuction – special underwear tightens the skin, promotes the formation and regulation of body contours, and prevents the development of pronounced edematous syndrome;
• lymphatic drainage massage – stimulates the outflow of fluid, ensures faster resorption of edema and bruises, smoothes postoperative tuberosity, activates regenerative processes, prevents the formation of rough scars and scars;
• drink plenty of fluids – the body needs more fluid than usual to avoid dehydration after the procedure, so it is advisable to drink at least 2 liters of water per day (immediately after the operation, the drinking regime is slightly limited and then gradually increased);
• make sure that the area of the body where liposuction was performed is always clean and change the bandage as often as possible;
• wear light clothes – this will prevent your skin from drying out and will simply make you feel more comfortable than in tight-fitting clothes;
• do not take a bath to reduce the risk of infection – in the first days after the liposuction procedure, use a damp sponge, and then a shower.

Gradually introduce walking and light exercise into your daily schedule. This will improve blood and lymph circulation, which means it will significantly reduce tissue swelling and speed up the recovery process. It is also necessary to adhere to all recommendations, treat sutures, not violate restrictions and visit the surgeon in a timely manner.

After liposuction, it is important to adhere to the principles of a balanced diet, since in the future this will avoid the recurrence of fat deposits. The patient is advised to follow the standard rules:

• consume an average of 1500-2000 kcal per day;
• eat small meals – at least 5-6 times a day in small portions;
• exclude fatty, smoked, canned, fried foods, and also avoid spicy seasonings;
• diversify the menu and include products containing many micro- and microelements (protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, cereals);
• consume a sufficient amount of protein – at least 1 gram per kilo of your own weight (this will help saturate the body with amino acids, which, among other things, are responsible for tissue repair);
• avoid the factory-made sweets and any carbonated drinks.

Of course, you need to give up alcohol – it not only slows down the wound healing process, but also increases swelling. To get rid of fluid after liposuction one should forget about bad habits and ensure a normal level of physical activity.

Why Consider Turkey for Your Liposuction Procedure

In recent years, Turkey has been attracting more and more medical tourists. Why is the popularity of Turkish specialists growing every day?

Turkish clinics are equipped with the most modern medical equipment and diagnostic kits from leading global brands. Everything is done here to ensure that the doctor’s work is effective and the patient’s stay in the clinic is comfortable.

Now almost all clinics in Turkey receive special JCI certificates. To obtain such a certificate, it is necessary to meet the highest standards of service quality, provide the most comfortable level for foreign patients, and the clinics themselves must be provided with modern medical equipment. This certificate guarantees quality patient care.

The experience of a plastic surgeon is also of great importance, and in this regard, Turkish clinics have something to boast about. It employs specialists with 10-20 years of experience, who have an academic degree, are members of specialized world communities and regularly take part in international conferences.

The average price for liposuction in Turkey is significantly lower than in most countries of the world and Western Europe. At the same time, the quality of work of Turkish specialists meets all international standards.

Let’s compare the cost of liposuction in different countries of the world (all prices are in euros):

• Spain – 1500;
• Mexico – 2000;
• Turkey – 2300;
• Thailand – 1400;
• Poland – 1300;
• USA – 5500;
• Switzerland – 7000;
• Germany – 6500;
• United Kingdom -5000.

Affordable prices combined with a high level of qualifications of specialists have become the reason for the growing popularity of Turkish clinics.

Another argument in favor of choosing Turkey for liposuction is the opportunity to combine medical procedures with a pleasant vacation. Turkey is a very beautiful country with unforgettable ancient architecture and a variety of natural landscapes. There are many historical attractions, beaches, hotels with magnificent sea views, as well as restaurants and cafes where you can eat inexpensively and deliciously. Tourism is of great importance to the Turkish economics, so the staff of hotels and other establishments does everything to make visitors feel as comfortable as possible.

The recovery process after a liposuction procedure can be divided into early and late periods. The greatest swelling and pain are observed in the first 2 weeks after surgery. The late recovery period can last up to several months, and during this period the patient feels much more comfortable.

It is very important to follow all doctor’s recommendations during the recovery period, follow a diet, ensure a normal level of physical activity and take prescribed medications.

The popularity of the services of Turkish specialists in the field of aesthetic medicine is explained by the high level of their qualifications, affordable prices and the latest equipment of Turkish clinics.

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