POST OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
During a liposuction procedure multiple small incisions are made in the treated area. Through these incisions a great deal of fluid is injected. These incisions are also used for the liposucker to remove the fat. Following the procedure the wounds are simply covered with a steri-strip and mepore dressing before the compression garment is applied. It is expected and quite natural for there to be a great deal of seepage over the next few days. This seepage will be blood stained and will gradually reduce in volume.
A garment is essential to support the overlying skin and to aid it’s contraction onto the now less fatty regions. The garment will become soiled and removal for laundry and spin drying is acceptable. Often, having two garments helps this process.
Part of the fluid injected is a local anaesthetic which reduces the discomfort following liposuction. However, once this anaesthetic has worn off the areas may become a little bit tender. Should this tenderness increase, medical advice should be sought. It is quite normal for significant bruising to follow liposuction and it usually takes 2 – 3 weeks to settle down. The bruised areas are often a little bit more tender than non bruised areas.
Once the garment has been removed for laundry purposes, you may wish to take a brief shower. Try and pat the treated areas dry rather than rubbing them with a clean towel. As soon as you are dry, please reapply the garment.
What Can I Do to Help?
Simple breathing exercises. General mobility. It is important to keep mobile however vigorous, shock impacting exercise should be avoided for the first month of the post operative phase. Look after your dressings and keep them intact until your outpatient review. It is unusual for the small incisions to be sutures. These are generally covered with a steristrip and a simple dressing. An ooze of blood stained fluid is expected. Although the dressings are shower proof please do not soak until they have healed fully, i.e. after your outpatient review. Whilst showering the compression garment can be washed. It is often wise to consider buying two compression garments so one can be worn whilst the other is being washed.
What to expect
Discomfort. Any initial discomfort following liposuction should wear off rapidly. A long acting anaesthetic is injected with the fluid to aid liposuction at the beginning of the procedure. This may well last up to 8 – 12 hours. Should discomfort increase, especially if it is in isolated areas, advice should be sought from the ward staff (see below).
Swelling. As with any surgery patients can expect a degree of swelling. This can mask the effect of the liposuction until the oedema has settled. The oedema should settle over the following six weeks and compression garments will aid this.
Bruising. A degree of bruising is expected following liposuction but this would be expected to resolve over the following two weeks. Should this be significant and increasing, please contact the ward staff.
Numbness. As discussed at the pre-operative consultation, this will gradually resolve but may take a month or so to do so.
Please contact the ward staff if you notice any of the following: Increase pain, unequal swelling, fever, excessive weeping through the dressings.
Any sign of fever, increase in pain or increase in discharged should alert you to the need to contact the ward. Please ensure that if you do phone the ward, that they phone to let your surgeon know you have been in contact whatever the outcome. Your outpatient appointment should already have been organised and is usually indicated on the bottom of your admission letter. For any further queries, please contact the ward.