Tumescent Liposuction Recovery

There are many different liposuction techniques. They all remove fat using a variety of instruments that may utilize laser, ultrasonic sound waves, water, oscillating cannulas or other specialized instruments to help remove the fat cells.

Before the fat is removed, a special fluid is injected into the fat to facilitate help the above instruments functions better. The fluid is called “tumescent” fluid. It is an IV fluid to which is added a local anesthetic such as lidocaine and a small concentration of lidocaine.

The fluid “prepares” the fatty tissue and facilitates the fat removal. The lidocaine numbs the area and reduces the discomfort during and after the procedure. The epinephrine is a vasoconstrictor and reduces blood loss and postoperative bruising.

Most plastic surgeons use tumescent fluid during most liposuction procedures to obtain the benefits noted above. The choice of your surgeon is more important than the fluid used during the liposuction. Make sure the surgeon you choose is a board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in liposuction.

To greatly reduce bleeding and pain the fat about to be vacuumed is these days ALWAYS infiltrated and filled (IE tumesced) with a dilute solution of Adrenaline (epinephrine) and a local anesthetic (usually Lidocaine). EVERY single liposuction surgeon in this country performs tumescent liposuction.

The tumescent solution enables us greater symmetrical fat extraction, greater fat removal with a lot less discomfort afterward. Depending on the amount of fat to be removed and number of areas treated(requiring turning), (Tumescent) Liposuction can be performed either without sedation, with oral sedation (such as a single valium pill), intravenous / twilight sedation OR , if needed with general anesthesia.

As you can imagine some patients would prefer to be awake while many others strongly prefer to be “out of it”. The choice of ADDITIONAL anesthesia is up to the Plastic surgeon in consultation with you.

So WHY THE CONFUSION? It all has to do with inter-profession bickering, jealousy and competing for patients. Some non-Plastic surgeons, usually the least trained and most insecure, feel that the only way they can distinguish themselves is by maligning and professionally demeaning real Plastic surgeons’ abilities (check www.PlasticSurgery.org), knowledge and experience.

They often claim exclusivity to a technique, a concept or a skill – none of which is based on reality. But such is life. When you are the proven leader you have to expect cheap shots from others.

To get THE BEST results, see several surgeons in consultation. Ask the questions. See their pictures and pick the surgeon with who you are the most comfortable.

Tumescent liposuction recovery is dependent on the areas of liposuction, amount of fat removed and your preexisting health status. Typically the first 1-3 days we suggest minimal activity and elevation of the surgical site and the use of a compression garment.

After the initial 2-3 days you can gradually resume normal activities except for strenuous exercise. If you develop increased pain and swelling these are signs that your activity has increased too rapidly. (Of course if you had significant amount of fat removed or multiple areas this may increase your swelling, discomfort and recovery time.)

Early walking or calf exercises are important after any surgery to decrease your risk of DVT (deep venous thrombosis or blood clot). Massage, manual lymphatic drainage, ultrasound, oral supplements such as Bromelain and Arnica Montana and other modalities may be used if recommended by your surgeon that may speed up your healing time.

Your pre operative level of exercise should be attained in 4-6 weeks. Returning to work may be permitted as soon as 1-2 days after your procedure if a small area of liposuction is performed and up to 1 week or longer for larger and multiple areas, depending on your surgeon’s preference and your pre existing health and exercise status. (Frank Barone, MD, Toledo Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction recovery time depends on the individual

Recovery from liposuction depends on a number of factors, including individual healing rates, location of the liposuction, how many areas were treated, and whether the liposuction was done under local or general anesthetic. Generally, patients who undergo tumescent liposuction with local anesthesia are able to recover well enough to return to work after just a few days, but again, this will vary depending on the individual.

When I had liposuction done to my love handles, I went out to dinner with my friend who performed the procedure that evening; I performed liposuction on a patient the next day; and I did a 60 mile bike ride 2 days later. (Mitchel P. Goldman, MD, San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon)

Liposuction and Recovery

After tumescent liposuction you can return to a desk job in 3 days. If you’re life involves strenuous work it will take longer to resume that level of activity – typically 3 – 4 weeks. Go for it! 3 weeks will soon be behind you and you will be happy that you achieved the contour improvement and confidence you want.

I suggest looking for a board-certified dermatologic surgeon who performs liposuction with the tumescent technique. (Renuka Diwan, MD, Cleveland Dermatologic Surgeon)

If you are doing the tumescent liposuction, recovery will be less than 24 hours!

Tumescent liposuction is the easiest recovery, but many clinics don’t really explain the difference. If you are doing the tumescent method (usually done by dermatologists) you should be able to walk out of the center on your own without assistance and won’t have to go under anesthesia.

There is a huge difference and you should check out your options to make sure this is what you are getting as it will also mean less bruising and pain and potentially better results! (Joel Schlessinger, MD, Omaha Dermatologic Surgeon)

2-3 days recovery is average for most liposuction patients

The recovery time for liposuctions can vary alittle depending on whether you were under local anesthesia by the tumescent technique or whether you were under general anesthesia. If under local, then you are up and about moving around the next day but you are leaking fluids for 2 days so most patients wait 2 days to go back to work.

You will be sore for 1-2 weeks and require some type of pain meds a least that first week but you should be up and functioning in a couple of days. If you had general anesthesia, then you may be more out of it for a day or 2 longer.

The sooner you force yourself up and get moving, then the quicker you recover and it takes your mind off of the soreness since you are distracted. If you lay around in bed for a week, you will be more miserable.(David Hansen, MD, Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon)

When done with tumescent anesthesia using long acting anesthetics, liposuction is a very well tolerated procedure and pain is just not a concern. What is required is using a compressive garment with compression pads to keep the skin splinted in place so it heals nice and smooth.

I tell my patients to stay off work a week when multiple areas of lipo are done. (Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Post lipo recovery

I love the tumescent technique done with microaire. It has a faster recovery, reduces swelling, and has less bruising. Our patients hardly ever bruise after a lipo. Usually they can be back to work within 3 to 7 days. (Alberto Arguello, MD, Costa Rica Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction can be a very well tolerated procedure with a short recovery time. The fewer areas treated, the quicker the recovery. Treating multiple areas will cause the accumulation of pain fiber excitement and is more likely that the patient will be more uncomfortable.

A smaller volume reduction may only need 3-4 days recovery with 7-10 days to allow swelling to subside. If extensive liposuction is performed, with a higher volume of reduction, it is only logical that the patient will experience a little more discomfort and will require a longer recovery time.

Typically, with liposuction a patient is placed in a compression garment which is used to reduce swelling, provide support, and make the post-operative recovery more tolerable. (Michael D. Cohen, MD – Account Suspended, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)