Liposuction RecoveryConveniently located to serve St. Petersburg and Tampa
If you are considering liposuction to improve your figure by removing stubborn fat deposits that do not respond to exercise and dieting, it is important to understand the procedure, including recovery. The liposuction procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure, but it is important to allow your body the time it needs to recover. Expect to take a week off from work and refrain from strenuous activities for several weeks. Your results will begin to be visible within a couple weeks, but your final results will not be visible for several months after surgery.
This page is for potential patients who are looking for general information to help them make a decision about liposuction. If you are a current patient, please consult your postoperative instructions or call our office at 727-895-1515. After hours, you can get in touch with patient coordinator Lara Hartford on her cell phone. If you are a potential patient who would like to have your liposuction questions answered in person, please schedule a consultation at Gayoso Plastic Surgery’s Tampa-area office today.
The Day of Your Procedure
After your liposuction procedure with Tampa plastic surgeon, Dr. Antonio J. Gayoso, you will be taken to our recovery area where you will be monitored to ensure you are recovering properly from the anesthesia. You will be wearing a compression garment on the treated area and you may also be wearing compression stockings. Even after you are fully recovered and released to go home, you will not be able to drive. You should have a responsible adult drive you home and stay with you the rest of the day. We will go over detailed postsurgical instructions with you and your driver, and send home a copy.
The day of your procedure, you should focus on rest and recovery. Limited physical activity is allowed and if you feel up to it, a little walking around the house is recommended. You are allowed to eat, and you should definitely drink to avoid dehydration.
The First Week of Recovery
You should count on taking this first week off from work. Remember to take your prescribed medications according to instructions. Although you should be somewhat active, gradually increasing your level of activity, you should refrain from strenuous activity. Although serious complications are rare, you should be aware of signs of potentially serious complications, and call us immediately if you experience:
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Elevated heart rate
- Quick breathing or inability to catch your breath
At the end of this first week, you will return to the office for a follow-up visit with Dr. Gayoso, who will evaluate the state of your recovery and either clear you to return to work or recommend taking a few more days off.
Full Recovery and Final Results
Once you return to work, you may feel normal, but it is important to remember that you are not yet fully recovered. You will still have to refrain from strenuous exercise for up to 4-6 weeks, depending on the area treated and the activity. You will also continue wearing compression garments on the treated area during recovery until you are cleared to remove them. Your initial results will be visible within a week or two, but your results will continue to improve throughout the healing process. Final results may not be visible for several months after the procedure.
If you live in the Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater area or elsewhere in Florida and would like to learn more about the liposuction procedure and its recovery, please contact Gayoso Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation.