What to expect during the recovery?

Expect to stay a minimum of 1 night in hospital (some require 2 nights) or you may select to be admitted to our rehabiliation program at Lakeview private.

Follow instructions from the hospital and Dr Somia. Take pain meds/antibiotics as instructed. Do not drive/work for 24 hours after surgery.    

WALK, REST, HYDRATE, REPEAT: Keep moving, increase fluids. Walking speeds up drainage, reduces inflammation and aids healing. Increase activity gradually and maintain your measurement diary.

DRESSINGS: It is normal for your dressings to be soaked from the blood tinged liposuction fluid in the following days. You can have a quick shower however you should not soak or be fully immersed in water for at least 2 weeks following surgery. Your wounds will initially be covered by a waterproof dressing. If this dressing gets soaked or no longer looks waterproof, remove it and gently pat the wound dry and cover with a fresh dressing. Your sutures are dissolvable and do not need removal. You can wear your garments in the shower as they dry relatively quickly or you can remove it for showering purposes only.   If you have white tape this can be removed anytime.  If you use barrier cream you don’t need to use the white tape.   Applying brown micropore tape on the suture lines for 12 weeks will help the scar.   Silicone tape can be used anytime after 2-3 weeks in lieu of micropore.

SWELLING AND BRUISING: You will swell to your original size or even larger. This will peak at 3-5 days and then slowly begin to subside. You may also experience swelling and bruising in the ankles and genitals. Swelling generally takes 6-12 weeks to subside however swelling is highly individual and may take longer than 12 weeks to subside. Swelling after this kind of surgery can linger in some areas for up to 12 months and is normal. ITCHING is normal and indicates healing.

NUMBNESS AND TINGLING is also normal and in most cases resolves in 3 months.

DRAINAGE: Most stops in 24-48 hours. Carry absorbent pads.

CONSTIPATION/MENSTRUAL CYCLES: Removal of the fat cells may result in constipation, loose or fatty stools and a more intense or early period. Wear your garment 24/7 except for showering (you can shower in the garment - it will dry off relatively quickly). The garment helps fluid drain, minimises bruising and holds your skin in place while it reattaches to the underlying tissue. Best results are achieved when worn for 12 months. Once swelling has reduced you may wish to reorder your custom compression. You will see Dr Somia one week following surgery (either in person or virtual consultation).   If necessary we will arrange for your GP to review you.   You will see Dr Somia as necessary in the following weeks/months.

If I live outside Sydney how long do I have to stay?

You must have a travel companion to assist you with travel and post surgery care.   For patients who live within a 1-2 hour flight distance from Sydney you can usually travel on Day 2 or 3 after surgery.   For patients further away ie WA or NT we recommend a stay of one week in Sydney.  Please discuss your travel plans with us if you are outside of Sydney.