The liposuction process removes the stubborn deep layered subcutaneous fat. The surgery is less invasive but needs anesthesia like major operations to avoid pain. This does not avert people from going for liposuction process. It has shown good effects on their self-esteem and promoted an array of psychological and physical changes like consciously choosing a healthy lifestyle. It is a safe process, but you need to take certain precautions.
Dr. Bassin at www.tampaliposuction.com performs multiple liposuctions, butt lifts, and fat transfer surgeries. He has been in this cosmetic arena of body sculpting for approximately a decade. Residents around Florida approach the surgeon for their body restructuring needs. The doctor educates them about the benefits along with the risks and complications post-operation. You are given guidelines on what to do and what to avoid the post-liposuction process.
Precautions to take after liposuction for keeping weight off
Eat healthily
People look for a liposuction recovery diet when they are told to eat healthily for a speedy recovery after the surgery. There is no such diet, but remember to eat according to the intensity of the procedure. The surgery taxes your body making you feel constipated, queasy, and drained.
Even your appetite gets affected. It is normal, but you will need to choose a diet with sufficient nutrition to help in the recovery process. According to NIH, eat small meals at short intervals across the day rather than eating more thrice a day.
The chosen food has to be nutritious. You need to include –
- Proteins – fish, chicken, eggs, and beans
- Fiber – whole grain, veggies, and fruits
- B12 – fish oil and eggs
- Vitamin C – fresh fruits of fresh fruit juices
- Probiotics – fermented food items or yogurt
A few days post-surgery, some of the food cannot get attuned with your digestive system. For some time following a plain diet, to get necessary nutrients. Your digestive system will gain the needed rest and your body will get a chance to focus on recovering.
Plain diet foods are –
- Roasted skinless chicken
- Smooth hot cereals
- Cooked skinless and seedless vegetables
- Low-fat dairy and milk
- Smooth peanut butter
- Beverages without caffeine
Don’t touch high calorie or spicy food and slowly increase fiber foodstuff to avert the gastric or bloating issue.
What food to stay away from?
- Reduce salt as it encourages water retention, so go low on sodium.
- Fried foods
- Baked items like pastries, cakes, and cookies
- Sweetened beverages and sodas
- Candies
- Fast or junk food
- Processed meat
- Refined grains and products like white bread, white rice, pizza crust, etc.
- Flavored yogurt
- Fruit juice
- Ready salad-dressing
- Granola bars
- Barbecue or pasta sauces
Read labels before you choose food items to avoid extra sugar because it is listed in different ways like barley malt, high-fructose, dextrose, sucrose, maltose, etc. Small and conscious changes in your diet will not just help in fast liposuction surgery recovery, but even enhance your overall health and well-being.
Keep yourself hydrated
Post-surgery, drinking plenty of water helps to flush away the anesthesia and other medicinal fluids from the body. Besides, there can be fluid loss from the wounds, so keep hydrated to maintain the fluid level. Another advantage of drinking water is it reduces excessive swelling risk after the surgery. You cannot apply hot or cold compresses to the target areas post-op, so drink lots of H2O.
You can add lime or lemon juice drops for drinking flavored water. In terms of beverages, you can choose non-carbonated, low-calorie drinks in moderation. You can even try green tea, diluted fruit juice, and watermelon is the best fruit rich in water content. Other fruits are grapefruit and strawberries, which can be blended into a smoothie for that extra liquid intake.
Frequent walks
Post-surgery means strict bed rest, but you need to walk around the house after every half an hour the first few days. If you remain stationary, there are chances of blood clot formation like pulmonary embolism.
The clot moves towards your lungs and blocks it, which can be fatal. Make sure to walk gently and listen to your body signals. Never let your heart rate shoot up. Gentle walking will hardly raise your heartbeat but if you experience tiredness or dizziness, then take a rest.
Wear the compression garment
After the surgery, you will be made to wear a kind of compression garment. It has to be worn day and night, except while bathing for a month. It does not allow the swelling to increase and concentrates on rapid recovery.
Compression garments can make one feel uncomfortable and you may desire to remove it. However, taking it off repeatedly and putting it on can put you at risk of getting seroma. It is a fluid that develops post-surgery
Make sure to purchase two compression garments, so you can get one washed as you wear the other. Wear them until your surgeon recommends it.
Regular exercise
It is crucial to move around for several weeks post-surgery. Avoid heavy lifting or rigorous exercise because it can raise your blood pressure and heartbeat. This can cause the sutures to break and the wound starts to bleed.
Start exercising after 5 to 6 weeks after liposuction. You will need to plan a regular workout routine to maintain your slim body shape and thus enjoy an overall healthy life.
Scar care
You will be advised to give the surgical scars a little massage for increasing blood flow that is great for rejuvenating the skin. Instead of the scar cream or other products, it is smart to apply petroleum jelly on a closed scar and cover it with adhesive bandage. It will help to minimize the scar’s size and look.
How to deal with Itching around the surgical wounds?
Itching at the port sites is the sign of healing, but don’t do it. You can use an anti-itch lotion available at the local pharmacy story to handle the itch.
How much time does it take for things to get back to normal post-op?
The first week needs more care and rest. The days for your life to get back to normal will depend on the liposuction extent. For example, surgery of the face and upper arms is less extensive than buttocks, and abdomen. It means the larger the area the more time you will take to recover.
After a week or two, people start feeling comfortable. Some aspects lengthen your recovery duration. It includes your age, overall health, and medical condition.