Bruising After Liposuction: A Timeline for Patients
When it comes to looking your very best, there are plenty of options to consider. If it's just a little bit of body fat, liposuction tends to be an ideal option. Thanks to the careful removal of fat, you can look younger and fitter.
Patients throughout the Minneapolis area who visit our practice know we offer ample information on surgical side effects. With that in mind, we'd like to focus on bruising after liposuction. We'll cover some basics and breakdown bruising with a recovery timeline.
About Liposuction and How It's Performed
Liposuction is a cosmetic fat removal procedure. It is performed to remove pockets of fat from different parts of the body, and it's ideal when these pockets of fat do not respond to exercise or changes in diet.
During liposuction, a thin tube known as a cannula is inserted into the treatment area. The cannula helps suction out fat without harming other tissues. Once the fat removal is complete, the cannula is removed. It's as simple as that.
Bruising Is a Common Side Effect
Bruising is a common side effect of many surgical procedures. It's your body's response to any trauma visited upon it, including incisions and other adjustments made during surgery. In short, this is normal, and it's only temporary. Bruising will typically be accompanied by swelling in the treated area.
In most cases, the most visible bruising will last for about two weeks. Let's break this down further by noting expectations when patients are recovering.
The First Few Days After Liposuction
In the first few days after liposuction, patients will notice major bruising in the treatment area. The color of the treatment area may be purple or blue, and swelling is often pronounced. During this time, patients can help manage the discoloration and swelling by using cold compresses and walking a bit each day to promote circulation. Many patients are given a compression garment to wear after surgery, which can also be helpful in managing early surgical side effects.
What to Expect After Two Weeks
By the end of two weeks, the bruising and swelling should have faded considerably. While the skin of the treatment area may be slightly discolored, this discoloration won't be nearly as pronounced as it was in the first phase of healing. Usually the discoloration is yellowish, which is normal. By this time patients will be back at work, and any bruising will be concealed by their work attire.
What to Expect After a Month
By the end of a month, residual bruising or discoloration in the treatment area will have faded, meaning that the yellow color in the treatment area should have faded away. Patients will typically be back to normal physical activities at this point. Most patients ought to be able to swimsuits at this point without anyone noticing residual bruising or discoloration, let alone signs of body contouring surgery.
Long-Term Liposuction Results
After the first month to six weeks are done, patients should be back to normal with regard to the appearance of the treatment area. Regular exercise and a good diet are recommended to help keep the fat off and to look slim, trim, and toned for the years ahead.
Learn More About Liposuction
For more information about liposuction and how it can help you look your very best, be sure to contact our cosmetic plastic surgery center today. Our team will develop a custom treatment plan to meet your needs.