Body Treatment Post-Op

Please read the recovery instructions carefully for the treatment that you had performed. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions or concerns. We can be reached at Highlands Ranch Office Phone Number 303-470-3400.

Liposuction Recovery
Arm Lift Recovery
Thigh and Butt Lift Recovery
Tummy Tuck Recovery
Mommy Makeover Recovery
Gynecomastia Recovery

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Liposuction Recovery

After the procedure, you can expect to feel mild discomfort, experience bruising and redness, as well as swelling. There are medications that can be prescribed to help discomfort, and swelling usually starts to go down by the end of the first week. Some degree of swelling may linger for as long as six weeks.

Upon discharge for recovery, you should have the following supplies waiting at home:

• Pillows to rest on
• Bottled water
• Pain medication
• Comfortable loose clothing
• Dark towels to absorb leakage from incisions

How long is recovery?

Depending on the type of surgery done, you may have to stay in the hospital for a few days and may be required to wear compression garments for 1 to 2 months following the procedure to control swelling. You will also need to take antibiotics to prevent infections, but most people can return to work in a few days and get back to their regular activities within 2 weeks. Note though that if these symptoms persist for longer, let your doctors know.

Ways to boost healing include:

• Reducing salt – salt increases water retention and promotes swelling, so minimize it as much as you can.
• Eating Protein – protein aids in healing and maintains muscle mass, so have your protein-rich meals.
• Staying hydrated – drink no less than eight 8oz glasses of water per day.
• Avoid tight waistbands – these slow down the drainage of fluid, so it’s best to not wear these while you are healing.
• Try to walk each day – bit by bit increase the amount you walk; this boosts blood flow and prevents pneumonia and constipation. If you believe something is off, contact your doctors right away.
• Avoid strenuous activities such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, and aerobic exercise until the doctor says it is okay. If you do these, you’ll delay your healing and possibly cause further damage.

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Arm Lift Recovery

• After an Arm Lift Surgery, the incisions will be covered in bandages and the arms will be loosely wrapped with elastic bandages to minimize swelling.
• A day or two after the surgery the doctor may remove the bandages and drainage tube if one is used.
• You might feel as if you can’t do much with your arms for a few days or so. Be patient and respect your healing time. Recovery can be mentally and physically harder if you are trying to rush it.
• We advise that only liquids are consumed for the first few hours after the procedure. Then slowly move on to light and small meals. If you’ve vomited or are nauseous more than once or if this is experienced in excessive amounts, call your doctor right away. It could be due to bleeding.
• About 48 hours post-surgery, the discomfort and pain should begin to lessen.

The first few days after an Arm Lift Surgery you should:

• Avoid lifting your arms above shoulder level for at least a month
• Avoid physical and athletic activities that might stretch out the incision for 4-8 weeks after the surgery. However, you will be advised to do mild exercise such as walking. Your physician will provide details regarding this.
• Elevate your arms on pillows when sleeping for about 2 weeks to minimize swelling.
• Take pain medication and use topical or oral antibiotics as directed.
• Avoid anything that could cause the site to bleed more.
• Stick to your after-care instructions. Your surgeon/physician will provide a list of to-dos and not to-dos. Ensure you follow those as these help you minimize risks. Also, you should never be afraid to reach out should you have any questions or concerns.

You might require someone to be there to help you after the procedure to do certain activities such as putting on clothes, etc. if you believe you are not able to manage it yourself or if you experience dizziness. So, best to source someone from before the surgery who can be there for you post-surgery. You should contact the doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, an irregular heartbeat, fever, and redness of the skin.

Recovering from an Arm Lift Surgery

While recovering from the surgery the client might need to wear compression garments to control swelling and your doctor may insert a temporary drainage tube into your arm to drain any fluid or blood that may build up after the surgery. Your doctor will provide you with postoperative care instructions to take home; which will cover how to take care of your wounds, what medications to take, and a timeline for follow up appointments.

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Thigh and Butt Lift Recovery

It is very important to follow the surgeon’s instructions. This will promote healing an improve progress towards your physical appearance. Taking care of yourself after surgery is vital to achieving your desired results.

Directly after the Thigh Lift

After waking up from the procedure, the incisions will be bandages and will most likely have drains in place to prevent blood and fluid from accumulating. Your surgeon will have placed you in a compression garment in order to hold the incisions in place. When the anesthesia wears off you may experience some soreness bit the painkillers that will be prescribed should assist in managing any discomfort you will experience.

Recovery Timeline

• During the first 24 hours after surgery you will need assistance performing regular activities, like cooking and going to the bathroom. You will need rest, and you should position you body to avoid stretching thigh tissue.
• Within two days after the surgery you are permitted to shower, carefully removing the compression garment and bandages to gently wash your thighs.
• Two to three weeks after the procedure most patients are able to return to work and can begin carefully sitting on their thighs; this is often done with the help of a pillow. Scars will appear more pronounced at this point but will begin to fade in the following months.
• Two to three months after surgery your scars should have faded, though they may continue to diminish in appearance in the following months.
• Six to twelve months after surgery the recovery process should be complete and you should be fully able to enjoy the results. You should continue to schedule follow up appointments during this time.

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Tummy Tuck Recovery

Tummy Tuck patients will need to rest for at least two weeks and should take time off of work for recovery. There are certain post-operative care tips that they should follow.

These include:

• Using antibiotic ointments to minimize irritation
• Do not touch the incisions more than necessary
• Avoid showering for 2 to 3 days
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Avoid tobacco products for at least 2 weeks following the procedure
• Avoid smoking for up to 2 months after the procedure
• Discuss any adverse side effect with your doctor
• Maintain a healthy diet

Most patients experience constipation following the procedure, it is important to consume a lot of water to minimize this effect.

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Mommy Makeover Recovery

Patients will need to rest for at least two weeks and should take time off of work for recovery. There are certain post-operative care tips that they should follow.

These include:

• Using antibiotic ointments to minimize irritation
• Do not touch the incisions more than necessary
• Avoid showering for 2 to 3 days
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Avoid tobacco products for at least 2 weeks following the procedure
• Avoid smoking for up to 2 months after the procedure
• Discuss any adverse side effects with your doctor

After a Mommy Makeover there will be bandages or gauze at the incision sites and an elastic support bra to minimize swelling and support the breasts. You should be able to return to work in as little as two weeks but this also depends on the procedures that were done. You may also be advised to wear a compression garment to minimize swelling in the abdomen, buttocks, and waist.

You may also receive instructions such as:

• Caring for the surgical site
• Medications you should take
• Problems to look out for
• When to schedule follow ups with your doctor

Ways to speed healing include:

• Reducing salt – salt increases water retention and promotes swelling
• Eating Protein – protein aids in healing and maintains muscle mass
• Staying hydrated – drink no less than eight, eight ounce glasses of water per day
• Avoid tight waistbands – these slow down the drainage of fluid
• Try to walk each day – bit by bit increase the amount you walk, this boosts blood flow and prevents pneumonia and constipation.
• Avoid strenuous activities such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, and aerobic exercise until the doctor says it is okay.

Recovery Timeline

• During the first 24 hours after surgery you will need assistance performing regular activities like cooking and going to the bathroom. You will need rest, and you should position you body to avoid stretching thigh tissue.
• Within 2 days after the surgery you are permitted to shower, carefully removing the compression garment and bandages to gently wash your thighs.
• Two to three weeks after the procedure most patients are able to return to work and can begin carefully sitting on their thighs, this is often done with the help of a pillow. Scars will appear more pronounced at this point but will begin to fade in the following months.
• Two to three months after surgery your scars should have faded, though they may continue to diminish in appearance in the following months.
• Six to twelve months after surgery the recovery process should be complete and you should be fully able to enjoy the results. You should continue to schedule follow up appointments during this time.

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Gynecomastia Recovery

After the procedure the patient will be given a compression garment to help minimize the swelling and support tissue healing. Drainage tubes may be used to prevent fluid build-up and increase the recovery process. Patients should expect some pain, possible numbness, bruising and swelling. That should improve with time and healing. A compression garment should be worn for a couple of weeks and medication will be prescribed for pain and to prevent infection. You should avoid exercise for 3 – 4 weeks and most men can return to work and regular daily activities within 7 – 10 days. So, it might be necessary for you to have someone around to assist with any activity that will hinder or cease your healing. Follow-ups will be required and discussed with your certified surgeon.

You want to ensure that you follow these guidelines and any other guidelines given by your surgeon. If not, these could hinder your recovery. Modern Surgical Arts’ surgeons wants you to recover in as little time as possible and as best as possible. If you believe anything is wrong or notice anything abnormal, do get assistance right away.