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Liposuction Recovery: What
To Expect
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If you are not staying at a recovery center, or hospital, you will eventually be
discharged and can go home to rest and recover. Here are some tips and
suggestions to make your experience more pleasant.
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Although will will have been
dressed in your compression garment, you will need to bring
loose fitting clothing, such as pajamas with a top that buttons
easily. Comfortable slippers or shoes that you can pull
off and on easily without bending down should be worn as well.
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Your should, or have your
caretaker, set up the seat you will be riding home in with old
towels and several pillows. If your incisions leak, or you
become ill, you may stain the seats. Pillows will
allow your body to be protected and comfortable on the ride
home. Again, pillowcases you don't mind staining are preferable.
If you really want to protect your pillows, wrapping them
inside plastic kitchen trash bags before placing them in pillow
cases adds even more protection. Placing plastic bags on
your seats, covered in absorbent towels is also advised.
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Bottled water to help with
nausea and thirst, and to take your medications if necessary.
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A few packets of plain, low
sodium crackers in case you become nauseated.
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You should bring a plastic
coffee tub with a lid in case you do have to vomit during the
ride home.
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Babywipes and paper towels,
or Kleenex for cleaning if you do become sick.
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An eye mask or pair of dark
sunglasses
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Your iPod or MP3 player and
earbuds
You may have trouble remembering details of your
surgery and recovery. As mentioned in our
anesthesia section, this is very
normal. You will feel sleepy for a few days and you should take this
opportunity to rest and take it easy. Your body has been through a lot
and you will need to take the necessary time to recover in order to give
yourself the best possible chance of a positive and safe outcome.
Be sure to read our next section which describes what
to expect in the months following your surgery. Not everyone will
experience the same events or results, but the timeline can be very similar
for the average patient.
Visit
our Liposuction Message Board
& Support Forum to speak with real patients during your recovery
time. Camaraderie with patients who are going through the same
situation as you are is invaluable. Their collective experience,
tips and support can help you when you need it most.
 Know
The Signs Of A Complication
Although complications are rare, they can happen. It is best to
know what to look for so that you are able to seek medical attention as
soon as possible Just be sure to stay calm in the event something
unfortunate arises.
What To Do In Case Of A Complication After Your Surgery
(PDF)
Contact Your Surgeon, or the on-call emergency
personal immediately if you experience any of the following:
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bleeding from your incisions
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pus or a cloudy discharge from your incisions
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a foul odor emanating from your incisions
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pain which cannot be controlled with your
prescribed medications
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a temperature over 101° F
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the inability to urinate within a few hours of
your surgery or if you are constipated for an abnormal period
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numbness of the legs, arms,
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lingering dizziness unrelated to
the pain relievers or anesthesia. Although you may experience
mild dizziness when you stand or sit up, this should subside
within a minute or two.
Contact Your Surgeon, or the on-call emergency
personal immediately AND go to the emergency room as soon as possible if
you experience any of the following:
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passing blood through your urine, feces or
if you are coughing or spitting up blood
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abrupt and severe swelling
and discoloration (aside from normal swelling) in or around the areas
of treatment or any other area on your body
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the blackening of the skin
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uncontrollable vomiting
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loss of consciousness not related to
your sedatives
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a temperature over 105° F
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convulsions
What To Do In The Event Of A Complication:
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Try to remain calm and collected.
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Call, or have your caretaker call your surgeon
or the on-call emergency staff to let them know of your problem as
soon as possible.
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If you are going to the emergency room, be sure
that your surgeon knows where you will be admitted.
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Bring all of your medications with you
to the hospital in case you need to stay overnight or so that they may
know what you have taken. Some medications or anesthetics may be
contraindicated and the hospital staff will need to know your last
dose, what time it was taken and what medications they were.
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If you will need to stay overnight, it is
advisable to bring an overnight bag. Although you will normally
wear a hospital gown if admitted, so pajamas will not be necessary.
Toiletries are offered to patients, but if you'd rather have your own,
bringing your bag is a good idea.
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Document your experience, including pains,
symptoms, thoughts, or have your caretaker or friends do it for you.
Using your cellphone's voice memo function is also helpful if you
cannot sit up to write.
Emergency
Numbers
You should have the necessary emergency numbers on hand in advance in
the event of a complication. When you are experiencing a
complication, the inconvenience of finding these numbers, or quite
possibly your inability to remember them or know who to call, can add to
the seriousness of the situation. Contact information which you
should have on-hand:
- Your surgeon
- The emergency on-call staff
- The nearest hospital
- The nearest pharmacy
- Your parents
- A friend to take care of animals, children, etc.
if you have to be admitted.
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