Post-Operative Care

Some patients, especially if it is anticipated that larger amounts will be suctioned, may decide to spend the first night with a registered nurse. After an appropriate recovery period, the surgical facility staff will call the pre-arranged person to come and pick you up. It will be imperative that a responsible adult spend the first 24 to 72 hours at home with you after the operation, depending on how much fat was removed. Although you will be given medication for your discomfort, you will initially find it difficult to move by yourself. Because of lowered blood counts, light headedness and pounding headaches are not uncommon initially. The patient will be given prophylactic antibiotics to take after surgery and must also continue taking the iron pills. Patients complain of feeling “wiped out” and tired until their blood counts can be built up again. Most people find that they are comfortable enough to return to a desk job within a week, but vigorous activity will be uncomfortable for at least three weeks.

Every patient will have some bleeding or oozing from their incisions after they go home. This almost always stops by the next day. Please change the dressings as necessary. You will be instructed to purchase a pressure wrap prior to surgery. This wrap will be placed on the treated area upon completion of your procedure, and you should wear it for one to three weeks, depending on the extent of fat removal. Specific instructions will be given for each treated area prior to release from the surgical facility and at the time of follow-up visits. The procedure is performed through approximately one-quarter inch incisions, which will necessitate removal of skin sutures approximately five to seven days after treatment. Drains are rarely required.