3 Post-Op Recovery Tips For Liposuction in Seattle Patients

From overly tight compression garments to dizziness-inducing medication, the post-op experience for liposuction patients isn’t always pleasant. While liposuction is not the most painful cosmetic surgery procedure, recovery is far from being a cakewalk.

However, like any cosmetic surgery procedure, the post-operative recovery process for liposuction can be made easier. Apply these three post-op tactics after you have liposuction in Seattle to enjoy a shorter, less painful recovery period.

 

Use a 20-minute, 40-minute ratio for cold compress

One of the biggest mistakes made by liposuction patients is overusing cold compress pads to ease pain. Cold compress pads are ideal for reducing swelling, but overusing them can often lead to more problems than it solves.

Use a paper towel or thin piece of cotton to separate your body from cold compress pads, and apply them using a 20-minutes-on, 40-minutes-off ratio. When it comes to ice therapy, a little cooling can go a surprisingly long way.

 

Follow your doctor’s advice for compression garments

Many liposuction patients mistakenly buy compression garments that are too tight for optimum recovery. Your doctor should recommend two different compression garments: a relatively loose state-one garment, and a tighter stage-two garment.

Make sure you wear your compression garments for the required length of time, and try to avoid wearing non-medical compression clothing. Athletic compression tights are not an adequate or safe replacement for medical compression clothing.

 

Sleep at a slight incline for optimum blood circulation

While it’s difficult to find anywhere more comfortable than your bed, sleeping on your couch is often a better idea for optimum recovery. Doctors recommend that liposuction patients sleep on their couch, preferably at a slight incline.

Rest on your back, using small pillows to support your upper body. If you had lower body liposuction, try using pillows to elevate your legs and buttocks. Elevating your limbs reduces swelling and improves local blood flow to speed up recovery.

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