What To Expect After Liposuction

Summer’s almost here and the hotter temperatures demand that we discard our winter clothes and show some skin. Some of us might have more than that to discard, especially if we put on some extra weight during the cold months spent indoors. There are lots of ways to get your body looking its best for summer, like eating healthy and exercise, but these methods don’t work for everybody, and they’re certainly not quick. So it’s no surprise that online searches for elective surgeries like liposuction skyrocket this time every year.

Liposuction procedures boast fast fat reduction and body slimming, but it’s important to know that although the surgery is fast, the recovery time definitely isn’t. If you’ve been planning to head out in a bikini this summer, liposuction may have you hiding under your clothes until Fall. Here’s the low-down on liposuction recovery, and why an alternative non-invasive treatment might be your best option.

What To Expect From Liposuction Recovery 

People who are considering liposuction in the spring to be bikini-ready by summer are going to be disappointed. While liposuction isn’t as invasive as other cosmetic procedures such as tummy tucks, it’s still surgery and therefore requires a lengthy recovery period. In order to perform liposuction, doctors need to make one or more small incisions in the area to be treated. Many people think they only need to wait for the incision to heal before they can enjoy the results, but the reality is more complicated than that.

Though liposuction seems like a simple procedure, there are a variety of different factors that need to be factored in to give an accurate idea of its aftereffects. Recovery from liposuction depends on the amount of fat removed, the treated areas, and skin laxity. Additionally, different doctors use different methods and technologies, with various outcomes that can affect downtimes, swelling, bruising, and more. 

Due to the traumatic nature of the procedure, which requires a length of the tube to be inserted under the skin to apply suction, people usually experience an immediate inflammatory response and swelling directly after liposuction, which can take months to completely resolve. Some areas of the body take longer to recover than others, and these tend to be the ones that people most often seek the surgery for, like the flanks, abdomen, and thighs.

Because liposuction displaces fatty tissue, patients have to go through a worse-before-better period as this tissue swells and resettles. It also takes time for the skin of the affected area to snap back into shape, as skin elasticity adjusts to the new contours of the body. Most patients will have to wear an uncomfortable compression garment for the first few weeks of healing to make sure the skin conforms correctly to its new shape.

Long story short, recovering fully from a liposuction procedure can take up to two to three months—as long as there are no complications, like an infection.

Aesthetic Treatment Alternatives To Liposuction

If your goal is a smooth, sculpted appearance, there are non-surgical treatments that reduce inches and tighten areas of the body with great results, without the added recovery time. Venus Bliss™ uses non-invasive lipolysis, a process that involves using laser energy to target hard-to-budge fat cells that tend to accumulate in the flanks and abdomen. This is a fat reduction solution that’s non-invasive and suitable for all skin types, with no downtime. Best of all, many people see visible results after just one session, which generally lasts between 15-30 minutes.

The perfect option for people with busy lifestyles who want to achieve their body goals before summer, the treatments are also an excellent choice for anyone who has tried diet and exercise but still has a few stubborn areas that they want to see perfected. The diode laser technology and radiofrequency energy work together to combat hard-to-beat fat, reduce cellulite, and create a leaner appearance for life, without the recovery time a more invasive procedure would require. Not only can Venus Bliss™ deliver the same great results without the pain, cost, scarring, and recovery time of lipolysis, it is often far more affordable as well. Many people see visible results after just one session, and unlike with a surgical procedure, you can return to work right after—or head straight to the beach.

Enjoy summer feeling confident about how you look instead of recovering from painful surgery. Contact a qualified provider today to discuss your goals and create a customized aesthetic plan using the search field below.