Healing After Abdominal Liposuction

Perhaps the abdomen or tummy is one of the most commonly treated areas in liposuction surgery in which the localized fats are removed using cannula, a hollowed steel tube that is attached to a vacuum pump.

Tummy liposuction, as with any cosmetic surgery, requires recovery although patients are likely to resume their normal activities just within a few days.  But just to be on the safe side, they should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for several weeks after the treatment.

During the first two to three days of recovery, pain is the most pronounced although this can be easily minimized by over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications not stronger than acetaminophen (Tylenol).  The discomfort is almost similar to the muscle soreness experienced after having a long, strenuous exercise.

Usually, the skin is very sensitive to the touch and even to the slightest movement in the abdominal area; the pain is almost similar to that of a severe sunburn.  Also, there is minimal discomfort while sitting and walking.

Unlike during the previous years, the standard liposuction today is performed completely under local anesthesia, and as a result, there is no need to take any painkiller immediately after the treatment.

A day after surgery, most patients can see a dramatic improvement in the appearance of their waistline.  The immediate result has become possible with the introduction of open-drainage technique in which plastic surgeons allow the small incisions open so as to encourage the anesthetic and excess body fluids to leak.

And to further hasten the drainage of the anesthesia and body fluids, patients are made to wear compression garments for three days to a week, depending on when will the leaks stop.

Because of the compression garments and open-drainage, most of the swelling will be gone for a few days, however, it may take four to 12 weeks before all the residual symptoms completely subside.  But still, the recovery is significantly shorter nowadays compared to the previous years when liposuction was always performed under general anesthesia and required longer incisions.

Aside from encouraging faster drainage, compression garments also allow the skin to heal closer to the body in order to prevent sagging.

Despite some pain and discomfort especially during the first few days of recovery, patients are advised not to remain in bed, but rather take a gentle, short walk inside their home or around their neighborhood as soon as possible to encourage normal blood circulation, which in turn leads to less swelling and faster healing.