Now that you’ve undergone your liposuction procedure, the next phase of your journey is here! Recovering successfully is the first immediate step, but the journey to maintaining your results lasts far longer. After investing time, money, and mental and physical stamina through the treatment process, make sure you protect those slimmer, trimmer curves! You have invested money, time, and emotion into these procedures, so it’s important to protect those great post liposuction results. While it may take a few months before the final results are seen, you should still undertake the steps that will keep those liposuction results in place.
Follow Post-Operative Instructions
Follow the doctor’s instructions for after-care to ensure a smooth recovery, and go to all scheduled follow-up appointments. It is critical to wear the compression garments properly and for the length of time, your doctor suggests.
Once tumescent liposuction is complete, patients will be required to wear compression garments that help direct the treated area into its new shape and assist in the reduction of swelling. Compression garments also promote healthy blood flow and aid in the prevention of blood clots. These garments are worn for only a short period of time to allow skin to tighten around the treated areas. A follow-up appointment is scheduled for two days after the procedure, so the area can be checked thoroughly by the physician. It may be necessary to schedule regular appointments afterward as a way of ensuring continued success with results.
After the liposuction procedure, the remaining fat cells beneath the skin must remodel as the healing process begins. The remodeling allows the fat and skin cells to re-attach to the body. If compression is not properly applied, it can lead to sagging skin. Many people fail to understand the importance of compression in the first 7 – 10 days after the procedure, which can make the difference between a positive result and one that results in wrinkling of the skin or unevenness. In addition to remodeling the skin, there is swelling that occurs and adequate compression is critical to contain the swelling and help the skin retain and learn its new shape.
Post Liposuction Diet
In order to optimize your liposuction treatment results and to recover as quickly and painlessly as possible, it’s important to have already adopted a regular routine of exercise and healthy eating. Liposuction is not intended to be a weight loss solution; in fact, the best results from liposuction are in treating stubborn problem areas that haven’t been responsive to a healthy lifestyle already. Patients are typically already at (or close to) their goal weight and are undergoing treatment for unshakable trouble stops. After your procedure, maintaining this routine is even more important to maintain your results! Some things you should do for a healthy diet include:
- Eat a healthy breakfast
- Eat lots of fresh foods
- Avoid refined carbs
- Eat a lot of “superfoods” such as greens to add fiber, antioxidants, and minerals to your diet
- Choose lean proteins such as fish, turkey, and chicken
Get Moving and Exercise!
Exercise after liposuction is incredibly important when attempting to keep up your liposuction results, so find an exercise routine that you like and stay with it. It can include anything, including weights, cardio, swimming, yoga, or outdoor activities such as hiking. Switch up this exercise routine so you don’t get bored and quit. By exercising for at least 20 to 30 minutes per day, you will be boosting your metabolism, which will help keep your liposuction results looking great.
Using an accountability partner will help you diet and exercise regularly. Find a family member, coworker, or friend who is also interested in staying fit. Having each other for support will help keep your motivation level high. You can schedule weekly or daily check-ins with your partner to keep both of you on track!
Make Changes Before Surgery
If you want to avoid weight gain post liposuction, making small lifestyle changes before you undergo the liposuction procedure can go a long way toward making your liposuction results stick. Starting a diet and exercise program before undergoing liposuction will also help you heal faster, as well as provide better results.
Our bodies are unique; sometimes, no matter how successful we are at dieting and exercising, we want to retain our shape in certain places. Liposuction should only be used as a last resort after you’ve established a healthy lifestyle that you can maintain even after surgery. In fact, doing so is essential in maintaining the results of your surgery! Only elect for liposuction if you are prepared to work to keep up with the results.
Dr. Wright and his team are here to assist you on your journey to a happier, healthier you. We can provide you with helpful information and professional consultation on whether you should have the desired procedure performed on your body. Contact our office today to learn more about the benefits of liposuction and schedule an appointment with our friendly staff and seasoned physicians! Dr. Wright and his staff at Laser Lipo and Vein Center will be happy to discuss these and other ways to make sure that your liposuction results remain the best they can be! Contact us today to learn more about avoiding weight gain after liposuction!
