Liposuction is an extremely effective way of dealing with stubborn fat that just won’t go away. However, you do need some significant time to recover from the surgery. At the very least, you will need a few weeks before you can fully recover.

What’s important is that you make sure you minimize the risks of complications that can unnecessarily prolong the recovery period. To make sure of this, here are some tips that can help:

Follow the Doctor’s Post-Op Instructions

This is perhaps the most important rule for post-liposuction recovery. Your doctor will issue instructions and advice on what you have to do following the procedure. It’s in your best interest to follow these instructions religiously.

Failure to do so can lead to serious issues, such as complications that can affect your health. Consult your doctor first before you deviate from the instructions.

It’s best if you get a PDF file or a printout of all these instructions, so that you won’t forget. At the very least, take notes so you can consult them later.

Make a Plan Beforehand

This can help make sure you’ll know what to do afterwards for every type of situation. It’s better than just winging it, which can lead to careless mistakes.

Your plan should incorporate the following factors:

• Help and support. It’s best if you live with family members who can provide the help you need afterwards. But if you live alone, you need a backup plan as to who you can call for support if you ever need it. Find at least one family member or friend you can call for help.
• Eating. You may not be able to cook for yourself after the procedure, so plan for this. Either have friends or family members cook for you, or order from a local meal prep service.
• Clothing. Plan what you’re going to wear afterwards, as some clothes may not be right while you’re recovering.
• Hygiene. Showers and baths may not be possible for a few days, but you may eventually be able to take sponge baths after a few days. Make sure you have the necessary toiletries.

Eat the Right Foods

First of all, you need to make sure you hydrate properly. Dehydration can be a real problem after liposuction. While you normally need 8 glasses of water a day, after liposuction you might need to drink perhaps 10 to 12 glasses of water a day.

Then there’s the food. The best-case scenario is that your doctor will issue you with a list of recommended dishes and drinks during your post-op recovery. But here’s a list of food items containing the proper nutrients that can help:

• All kinds of berries of all kinds
• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale
• Dark chocolate
• Faty fish like salmon and anchovies
• Green Tea
• Turmeric
• Walnuts

Wear the Right Clothes

Before anything else, make sure you wear the issued compression garments for as long as the doctor says. This is absolutely crucial to make sure of the proper regulation of your blood flow and to shape your body properly following the procedure. This is so important that you’re not even allowed to take off the compression garments to take a shower.

As for your regular clothes, you need looser and lighter clothes so you feel more comfortable. Avoid tight clothing that can irritate the skin, as that may delay your recovery.

Proper Pain Management

The doctor will prescribe you medications for the pain, and it’s important that you take each dose as scheduled. While some discomfort is to be expected, this should gradually subside over time. If you continue to feel extreme pain after a week, you should discuss the matter with the doctor, as that may be a sign of some complication.

You need to take the medications as planned, even if you’re not feeling a lot of pain during the scheduled time to take the medicine.

Gradual Movement and Exercise

Some people might be too much in a hurry to get moving like they usually do, but this is a mistake that can prolong the recovery process. You have to take your time, and you need to consult with the doctor as to how much movement and exercise you can do at any given moment. It’s especially crucial that you get the doctor’s permission first for any intense workout you might be considering.

It’s also important that you don’t make the mistake of simply lounging on the couch throughout the entire recovery process. At some point, you need to walk around and be more active. Talking strolls will also minimize the risk of blood clots.

In the end, it’s all about being patient. There’s really no way of shortening the recovery process. All you can really do is to make sure you don’t make it longer than it has to be!