9 Tips for Vaser Liposuction Recovery

One of the greatest benefits of Vaser liposuction is how much easier recovery is when compared with traditional liposuction. Overall, recovery from Vaser lipo is more manageable, faster, and less painful.

This is because the Vaser technique breaks up fatty tissue and “melts” it before it is removed, providing for a gentler procedure. Your surgeon will not need to dislodge stubborn fat deposits with vigorous agitation — something that can easily damage the tissue matrix surrounding your fat cells. Ultimately, they will be able to suction out the fat cells alone and minimize bruising and swelling in the treated areas.

So, let’s talk a little about Vaser liposuction recovery, including what you can expect and tips for optimal healing.

What to Expect During Vaser Liposuction Recovery

Liposuction is a commonly performed, minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, and most patients do very well during recovery. The average initial recovery time for traditional liposuction is around one to two weeks. 

After this point, most patients can return to work (at a sedentary job). After around one month or more, most patients can resume physical activities (a light exercise routine).

Rest, a healthy lifestyle, lymphatic drainage massage, pain medication, and compression garments can help during recovery. But because of excess fluid and tissue damage, traditional liposuction patients usually have a lot of swelling, bruising, and soreness. 

Once these initial side effects have mostly resolved, it will take even longer for your total results to be obvious. The swelling recovery phase generally persists for several months — sometimes taking up to six months to reduce entirely.

While Vaser liposuction does follow the same recovery pattern as traditional liposuction, most symptoms are lessened and shortened, and it’s an overall faster recovery. In other words, patients experience less swelling, less bruising, and less pain and soreness. This is because the tissue and blood vessels surrounding fat cells are hardly touched during Vaser liposuction. Some patients are able to return to work after just a few days to a week. 

Of course, Vaser liposuction surgery has other benefits as well. Patients notice superior results with this procedure because plastic surgeons are able to provide more detailed fat removal and precise body contouring. The sound energy liquefies fat cells, making the entire process more exact.

Tips for Fast Recovery After Vaser Liposuction

#1 – Do as much as you can to prepare for surgery beforehand. 

The first thing we recommend to all patients who have a Vaser liposuction procedure planned is to do as much as you can before your surgery date. This means several things:

First, know that you’re going to need to take at least one to two weeks off at work. You can discuss the details with Dr. Aghayan as every patient will need a different amount of time off for surgery. Dr. Aghayan can usually estimate the amount of time you should take off. For example, someone getting Vaser liposuction with a tummy tuck will need to take more time off than someone getting Vaser liposuction alone.

Likewise, if you have children or pets to take care of, make sure you arrange for child and pet care ahead of time as you may be unable to provide proper care on your own — especially during the first few days after surgery. You yourself may need extra care as well — with doing things like picking up medications, running errands, preparing food, and self-care at home. Those who undergo Vaser liposuction alone usually have a relatively quick and easy recovery, but every patient is different, and it’s always good to have help.

Finally, prepare an area in your home where you can spend much of your recovery time. Obtain everything you’ll need, including a water bottle, snacks, tissues, your phone, your tablet or computer, device chargers, remotes, books, magazines, etc. Having this area set up ahead of time will make coming home after your procedure far easier and more comfortable.

#2 – Care for the treatment area as directed.

After Vaser liposuction, Dr. Aghayan and his staff will give you a set of instructions for taking care of yourself during recovery. Though this is a minimally invasive procedure, it’s still important to follow all instructions closely to minimize the risk of infection or complications and maximize optimal results. 

#3 – Wear your compression garment.

Ultimately, wearing your compression garment will accelerate recovery as it will reduce swelling and help shape and retain the body contouring your surgeon achieved during the procedure.

#4 – Eat a nutritious diet.

A healthy diet includes lots of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and lean meat. Upping your protein intake, in particular, can help your body heal faster. Fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, cheese, Greek yogurt, and other protein-rich foods are recommended.

#5 – Drink plenty of water.

While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking more water will help reduce swelling, essentially flushing the excess fluid out of your body. Having a water bottle with you at all times during your recovery period is advised.

You can drink a limited amount of low sugar and low sodium juices and sports drinks and non-caffeinated tea and coffee as well. Talk to your surgeon about when you can incorporate beverages with more sugar, sodium, and caffeine. In general, these ingredients can have a dehydrating effect (which we don’t want right after surgery), so it’s best to wait a while before consuming them.

#6 – Avoid drinking alcohol.

Just as we encourage our patients to drink more water after Vaser liposuction — so as to flush out excess fluid — it’s also important not to drink alcohol. Alcohol increases a patient’s risk for complications after surgery. 

Because it is a blood thinner, it may cause dehydration. Furthermore, because it widens the blood vessels, it can increase swelling and delay healing. Dr. Aghayan will tell you when you can reincorporate a moderate amount of alcohol into your diet after Vaser liposuction.

#7 – Return to regular exercise when you can. 

Dr. Aghayan encourages most patients to begin moving around within the first 24 hours after surgery. This can be in the form of a short walk down the hallway. It’s important not to exert yourself too much. 

As your Vaser liposuction recovery time goes on, continuing to lead a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise is essential. After the first week, you should be able to start taking longer walks and exerting yourself slightly more. Of course, always follow your surgeon’s directions, and only go back to your regular exercise routine once you’re cleared to do so (this is usually around three or four weeks after surgery, or sometimes longer).

We also recommend continuing regular exercise once you are fully recovered as this can help you maintain your ideal weight, thus maintaining your Vaser liposuction results.

#8 – Consider lymphatic massages.

Lymphatic drainage massage should only be performed during your recovery if Dr. Aghayan recommends it. The goal of this type of massage is to reduce bruising, swelling, and soreness. Keep in mind that lymphatic massage is different from a regular massage you might get a professional masseuse

You can certainly get lymphatic drainage massage from certain professional masseuses, but you can also do it yourself to an extent. Again, always check with your surgeon to know exactly how to perform this type of massage, when it’s okay to start, and how often to perform it.

#9 – Do not smoke. 

Lastly, if you’re a smoker, you’ll know already that you need to cease smoking for a few weeks during your Vaser lipo recovery. This is something your surgeon will have discussed with you prior to booking your procedure.

Smoking contributes to poor health in general, but it is particularly dangerous for those undergoing surgery. It can constrict blood flow and cause possible complications during your procedure. Likewise, during recovery, smoking reduces the power of your immune system, which may increase your risk of infection at incision sites and delay proper healing.

Book a Vaser Liposuction Consultation Today

If you are looking for a smoother, faster recovery from liposuction with less damage to surrounding tissues and superior body contouring results, Vaser liposuction may be for you. This cosmetic surgery liposuction technique can help you look great in less time, with less pain and a superior outcome. 

Call to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Aric Aghayan today. We look forward to meeting with you!

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586