Ensuring a positive recovery is part of being happy with the results of any surgical procedure, and I find this is particularly true for my liposuction patients. Prior to getting lipo, many men and women have the misconception that lipo is minimally invasive. In reality, lipo is one of the most invasive cosmetic procedures, and planning ahead for your recovery is a must. Here are my top three tips for minimizing discomfort after lipo:
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Take Care
First and foremost, it’s very important for you to follow all the post-operative instructions your surgeon gives you. Each surgeon has their personal preference for activity level, pain medication, compression garments and other aspects of recovery that they feel work best for their patients. As for my own preferences, I tell patients to drink plenty of fluids, avoid high-sodium foods (including soft drinks) and eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies.
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Compress
I advise lipo patients from my Denver practice that a compression garment is important for promoting healthy blood circulation and reducing the likelihood of blood clots, while minimizing swelling and helping expel any tumescent liquid used during your surgery. Compression garments also help encourage the skin to conform to your new contours.
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Keep Your Cool
With all the advances in medical science, it’s easy to forget that there’s such a simple solution available to reduce post-operative pain and swelling: ice packs. Applying ice packs (or bags of frozen veggies wrapped in a clean towel) periodically throughout the day will help you feel comfortable during recovery. Apply an ice pack for about 20 minutes out of every hour to give your skin some breathing room.