After Liposuction: 
When Can I Resume Activities & Exercise?

Fairfield County and Norwalk, Connecticut

During liposuction, or lipo for short, fat is suctioned from a targeted area of the body through one or more small incisions. This is generally done as an outpatient procedure, though you may be asked to stay in the hospital overnight if extensive areas were treated or if you have other underlying health problems. However, most people go home the same day.

How fast you recover, and how fast you resume exercise and other activities, depends on the type of liposuction that was done, how large the treated areas were, how much swelling you experience, and other factors.

What to Expect After Liposuction

After you’re home, you will want to rest quietly. You may have some discomfort, as though you have over-exercised, for which your doctor can prescribe medication. You should avoid aspirin and similar anti-inflammatory drugs, which may worsen bruising and swelling.

During the first 48 hours, you will experience swelling and bruising around the liposuction site.  Both will diminish in a few days. A tight elasticized wrapping around the affected part will help minimize swelling and bruising, and your doctor may want you to elevate that part of your body. During this time, you should restrict yourself to gentle activities. Avoid activities like bending, straining, and lifting.

If you have external stitches, they will be removed after about a week. Swelling will continue to diminish, and bruising will typically be gone within a week or two. Cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Rick Rosen, will want you to wear a special compression garment for 3 to 4 weeks while the skin tightens where fat was removed.

Activities After Lipo

Most people resume normal activities within a week to 10 days. Those with non-physical jobs will typically have a shorter downtime than those with physically demanding jobs. You may gradually resume exercise as you feel well enough. Let your body and your energy level be your guide.

Remember, how fast you recover from liposuction and how quickly you resume your normal routine depends on many factors, including the type of lipo, how extensive an area was treated, how much swelling you experienced, etc.  People recover at different rates.

Other Questions

If you are considering liposuction, have questions about lipo or recovery from lipo, or have any concerns about resuming exercise or how soon you can get back to your normal routine after lip, please call the friendly medical professionals in our office. Our board-certified plastic surgeon and his team have performed hundreds of successful cosmetic and reconstructive procedures during his 20-year practice. Our professional staff can answer questions and address your concerns. Your comfort and well-being are of paramount importance to us.

For more information, or to schedule a free initial consultation, please contact the cosmetic surgery practice of Dr. Rick Rosen, M.D., F.A.C.S., serving Norwalk and surrounding areas of Connecticut.