When you have liposuction, the surgeon removes fat from problem areas, such as the abdomen, flanks, thighs, and arms. Once the fat is gone, it’s gone for good and won’t come back.
But keep in mind you can still gain weight if you don’t follow a healthy lifestyle. In addition, there are steps you can take after liposuction surgery to ensure the best long-term results.
Eat A Healthy Diet
According to Portland Plastic Surgeon Dr. Aric Aghayan, “The goal of liposuction surgery is to remove fat that resists diet and exercise. But you can’t eat whatever you like after liposuction and not worry about gaining weight. This is because your body has fat cells in other parts of the body that will get bigger if you overeat.”
That’s why it’s vital to stick to a healthy diet after liposuction. Eating healthy foods and minimizing junk food consumption can help you maintain your new, slimmer contours.
But what’s a healthy diet, exactly? It can vary depending on the person you ask, so talk to your doctor about the diet you should follow after liposuction.
Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates will give your body the nutrition it needs without too many calories. That way, you can enjoy years of impressive results from your procedure.
Have Healthy Foods On Hand For Recovery
After liposuction, your body will be healing for at least a month. So you should give your body the nutrients it needs to speed up the healing process.
The foods below are full of nutrients and anti-inflammatory properties that will improve the healing process:
- Salmon and other fatty fish
- Berries
- Walnuts
- Green tea
- Broccoli and kale
- Dark chocolate
These foods and other healthy choices will provide your body with the nutrients it needs to heal quickly. But, of course, nobody parts also should drink plenty of water every day as you recover.
Wear Compression Garment
After your surgery, the surgeon will give you a compression garment to wear around the treated body area. The garment isn’t fancy, but it’s a vital part of your recovery.
The garment reshapes the area that was treated and minimizes the risk of skin wrinkles or sagging. It also reduces swelling and can speed up the recovery process. And because the garment puts pressure on the incisions, your scars will be less visible.
Wear the garment for as long as your surgeon tells you. For example, you may need to wear the garment for three or four weeks, except when you bathe.
Manage Pain
It’s also essential to take the medications your surgeon prescribes. They will probably give you prescription pain medication for the first three or four days.
The surgeon will prescribe more if needed, but most patients do fine with over-the-counter medication after the first few days.
Exercise
Working out regularly can enhance your results. When you get daily exercise, you increase muscle tone, which can improve how you look and feel. Also, exercise burns fat and extra calories so you can avoid the remaining fat cells getting bigger.
However, you should take it easy for the first week or two after your procedure. You don’t want to engage in vigorous exercise during this time, such as running or biking. But you also shouldn’t be sedentary; going for a walk every day is good for circulation and speed up the healing process.
Care For Incisions
During your recovery, you will need to take care of your incisions; infection can set in if you don’t keep them clean.
Talk to your surgeon about keeping your incisions clean and how to bathe during the first week after surgery.
If the incisions get swollen or red, you should call your doctor right away.
Maintain A Stable Weight
After liposuction, your skin will retract where the fat was removed to fit your new, slimmer physique. It’s essential to maintain a stable weight to enjoy long-term results.
A common problem with some patients is to assume liposuction will protect them from gaining weight. Unfortunately, this isn’t true; you can still gain weight in areas that weren’t treated with liposuction.
If you gain (or lose) a lot of weight after liposuction, it will diminish your results. That’s why it’s wise to be near your goal weight when you have liposuction.
Patients who still have a lot of weight to lose should probably wait to have liposuction until they are within 10 or 15 pounds of their goal weight.
Take It Easy
Liposuction is safe and effective, but it’s still surgery, and you need to take it easy for a week or two.
So, you should take a few days off work and have someone help you with tasks around the house if needed.
Your surgeon will tell you when it’s okay to go back to work and exercise. They also will notify you when you can drive and have sex again.
Liposuction can be a crucial part of improving your appearance. If you follow the tips highlighted in this article, you’ll enjoy long-term results.
So, talk to your plastic surgeon today about liposuction to determine if it’s a good choice for your aesthetic and personal goals.