Will I need to wear bandages after liposuction?

Small, clear, adhesive plastic bandages will be placed over the incisions, and you will have to wear a girdle or compression garment over the treated region. These will most likely be the only dressings you will need to wear after liposuction. The clear bandages can be removed after about a week. There are no stitches to remove.

How long before I can take a shower or bath?

You can shower immediately. However, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

• Do not use hot water on the liposuction region. It may lead to burning.
• Do not rub the treated region; blot or pat the area dry.
• Reapply your girdle or compression garment as soon as you are dry.

Denver plastic surgeons Dr. John A. Grossman and Dr. Philippe A. Capraro recommend that you do not take a bath until the treated region is fully healed and all bruising and swelling have subsided.

Can I get the same results from diet and exercise?

If you are just looking to lose weight and become more toned, then diet and exercise, not liposuction, will provide you with the results you are after. However, if you have shapes, bulges, and contours that have been resistant to diet and exercise, then liposuction can help you achieve your desired results. Liposuction is the only technique that can sculpt away undesirable shapes, such as love handles or saddlebags, which diet and exercise have been unable to remove.

Will the removed fat come back?

No. You are born with a fixed number of fat cells which increase or decrease in size based on weight gain or loss. Therefore, once these cells are removed, they will not return. However, it is still possible to gain weight after liposuction. If you do not maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly after your procedure, you can expect to gain weight just as you would if you had never undergone liposuction. The difference is that any excess weight gained after liposuction will be deposited in areas other than the ones that have been treated. In other words, your fat will settle in areas previously unaffected by weight gain, and you may not be happy with the resulting shape.

How long does the healing process take?

Dr. Grossman and Dr. Capraro will provide you with detailed instructions for your liposuction follow-up care. We encourage you to be physically active as soon as possible in order to facilitate the recovery process. You should be able to return to work in one week or less, and you can resume a full regimen of normal activities and exercise shortly thereafter.

You will need to wear a compression garment for three to six weeks following surgery to reduce swelling and help shape your new contours. You will wear these 24 hours a day, except for special circumstances. It may take several months for the scars to soften and lighten. You may experience some firmness and swelling in the treated region for several weeks or even months following surgery. Massaging the area will help facilitate healing. Your results should be noticeable within a few weeks.

Please contact our Denver plastic surgeons today to schedule your initial liposuction consultation. Grossman Plastic Surgery serves patients in the Littleton and Denver, Colorado area.