Liposuction: Info, Prices, Photos, Reviews, Q&A

Recovery from hip liposuction done by local anesthesia is amazingly fast. There is going to be variability between individuals, but in general my advice to my patients is: Take off from work the day of the procedure and the next day.

On the day of the procedure, rest or nap in the afternoon, then get up and walk around the house, or even outside with someone as long as you’re not feeling lightheaded. On the day after the procedure, have a light version of a normal at-home day.

Most patients return to work on the second post-procedure day. Everyone feels best when moving. It’s the same as movement after strenuous exercise helps you feel better faster. Begin non-impact exercise as soon as your body feels like it.

Gradually increase what you do and the intensity. A treadmill at an incline is great, as are weight resistance, Pilates and yoga. Bouncing and impact activities will be the last to return to. These are general expectations and guidelines.

Some patients need to take more time with getting to each step. That’s OK; just let your body guide you and keep in touch with your doctor’s office for guidance if there are any questions. (Kimberly Finder, MD, San Antonio Dermatologic Surgeon)

Liposuction recovery quite quick!

Hip liposuction recovery, speaking from personal experience and years of professional observation of my patients, is not bad at all! Now, the more liposuction you have done at one time, the more bruised and swollen and stiff you will be, but you should still expect to be back to nearly normal after a couple of weeks (meaning, back in the gym–you can be back at work well before that).

If you have only small areas treated, you can expect to be able to go back to work after a weekend (or even the next day, if your job isn’t too strenuous). (Carmen Kavali, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

Most people take 2 to 5 days off following hip liposuction.

It depends on the patient and how they feel following the procedure and how demanding their job duties are at work. CoolSculpting is an alternative to liposuction with no downtime.

You can achieve 20 to 25% reduction of fat in the treated areas with one treatment and return to work immediately following the procedure.(Alan N. Larsen, MD, Atlanta Plastic Surgeon)

There are several factors which affect recovery time. The top three are: (1) How many body areas you are having liposuction on, (2) if you are having skin tightening technique (Superficial liposuction), and (3) The technology being used to accomplish the liposuction.

The number of body areas is perhaps the largest predictor of “down time,” followed by how aggressive a technique (Such as superficial liposuction, which is more aggressive) is. Technologies such as Ultrasound-assisted liposuction (VASER) and Laser-assisted liposuction (Smartlipo) have the ability to be less traumatizing to the tissues surrounding the fat (Small blood vessels an connective tissue), while at the same time are effective at fat removal, therefore such technologies can be helpful in decreasing your recovery time.

In my practice, virtually all patient return to such work as office work within a week, even with larger areas of liposuction and in even less time when only one or two areas of liposuction accomplished. (John Millard, MD, Denver Plastic Surgeon)

Every patient can have a unique experience but my answers relate to 95% of my patients. (2 standard deviations) That being said, the most intense pain and soreness usually lasts for 3 days. The soreness usually abates to a lower level for another week.

Bruising lasts 2 to 3 weeks. Swelling is usually 80 to 85% resolved by 6 weeks, but takes 6 months to resolve totally and for all of the minor lumps and bumps to stabilize. I have patients wear a compression garment for one week per decade of life, or any part thereof.

For example, a 44y/o would wear the garment for 5 weeks. Although each patient is variable in how they respond to surgery. (Jay Burns, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Liposuction is a great way to sculpt the body. Length of recovery varies, as it depends on how many areas are done and pain tolerance. Patient’s attitude also plays a big role in length of recovery.

Typical recovery period is 1-2 weeks, with swelling persisting up to 3 months. (Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS, Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon)

Most patients will be sore for the first few days. In most cases, normal activities can be resumed as soon as the patient feels up to it. Most of my liposuction patients take only a few days off from work.

I also require patients to wear a surgical garment for several weeks following surgery and restrict flying for several weeks. Check with your surgeon to determine the specific pre and post operative instructions that will apply to you. (Christine Sullivan, MD, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)

We perform our hip liposuction in the office under local anesthesia. We ask out patients to avoid working out for 2-3 days but then you can resume all activity. Dowtimine is minimal but you will be sore with possible bruising and swelling for several weeks as your heal.

We provide you with a support garment to wear for 4 weeks after your procedure. (Robert Heck, MD, FACS, Columbus Plastic Surgeon)

Usually one can recover in the first 5-7 days, but it may take 3-4 weeks before one can resume most activities including exercise. (Rod J. Rohrich, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

I use a few different types of liposuction techniques and each varies in terms of recovery time. Give yourself enough time to recover before a major event; and that will decrease your stress level and improve your outcome.(Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon)

Hip liposuction recovery will depend on your surgery

Your recovery will depend on how many areas were treated, how much fat was removed, and your body’s ability to heal. I usually tell my patients to expect about a week of downtime from normal activities.

After that, most people feel more like themselves and can return to work. Light exercise is usually permissible after 3 weeks, and more vigorous activity should be avoided for 6 weeks. (Thomas McNemar, MD, FACS, Stockton Plastic Surgeon)

Depending on the volume of fat removed and the number of areas treated, patients will experience variable recovery periods. Most will recover promptly and feel quite well in days. (Leo Keegan, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

After having hip liposuction you will be swollen and bruised, and normally a week after surgery you will notice the swelling start to minimize and the bruising will begin to disappear. In less then a week after have liposuction, most patients are able to move more normally and even return to work with minimal discomfort.

Usually by the second or third day after the procedure you should be able to resume most of your daily activites. I would resist heavy exercise for about two weeks, but usually the recovery is pretty easy. (Shain A. Cuber, MD, Edison Plastic Surgeon)