Liposuction

After discharge from this centre, you should go home and rest. You must be accompanied home by a responsible adult, and must have someone with you for the remainder of the day and overnight. Even if you feel normal, your reaction time will be slower after receiving sedation medication. It is normal to feel slightly sleepy or dizzy during the first 24-48 hours, so:

Do not drive a car
Do not drink alcohol for 4 days after surgery
Do not operate hazardous machinery
Do not make important decisions / sign important documents
Do not engage in sports or do heavy work / lifting

Brazilian Butt Lift only

You should not put pressure on the treated area for at least 2 weeks. This means either standing up/lying on your abdomen for the first 2 weeks post op. When you begin to sit down, sit forward on your thighs, but not on your buttock for another 2 weeks. This gives the transferred fat the best chance of successful grafting and maintaining its sculpted “S” shape.

You can lie on your back (with a pillow behind your back, above your buttock) after 2 weeks post op.

For additional post-operative comfort, patients may consider using BBL Pillows. Please inquire at the clinic for more details.

Fluid Leakage

This is normal – expect lots from the area and it will probably continue overnight and for the next few days. It is best to use an old towel to sit on, when going home and to sleep on overnight. Use old sheets on your bed for the first night. Cover your mattress with a plastic sheet with a large beach towel on top.

For the first few days after liposuction, massage the area gently (Cosmos Aesthetics massage therapist will show you how at your appointment). This helps get rid of the excess fluid. Movement will help to reduce the swelling and speed up your recovery, so do not stay in bed for long periods the days following surgery and slowly increase your activities as tolerated, over the next few days.

Liposuction disrupts the lymph channels through the fat. Fluid will collect causing some swelling. The lymph channels will repair in one week and the swelling will go down over the next week or so.

After the fluid is gone, continue to massage the areas every day, as shown by the massage therapist, to help aid the healing process, and to avert developing lumps or hardness. Some people get hardening in the fat which may take 6 months to resolve. Lymphatic Drainage massage can be used to speed recovery from this.

Scarring

There will be scarring as with all surgery, but it is kept to a minimum. It usually looks like a mosquito bite at the incision site and does fade over time.

If you are concerned about your scars, we recommend a scar therapy gel called Strataderm that you can purchase at the clinic. Strataderm gel helps with the healing of new and old scars. It reduces

excessive scar formation. Stratamed (Blue packaging) is ideal for new scars that have not healed and Strataderm (Orange packaging) is ideal for old scars that have healed completely. We recommend using Strataderm on scars approximately 10 days post op when incisions have healed.

Lumpiness | Massage

This is individual and will take a few weeks to subside. Do not expect to see the desired size or shape immediately. It will continue to improve and best results are seen after approximately 6-12 weeks. Some patients may experience lumpiness post-procedure, which can potentially be managed through prescribed massage techniques and the use of a support garment. Please follow your practitioner’s advice for post-operative care.

Your post op pack will include the time and dates of your massage appointments.

Lymphatic Drainage massage will speed up the recovery time from the swelling and lumpiness. Massage is recommended as soon as possible depending on how much bruising is present. Continue massaging the treated areas for up to 3 months until no hardening is felt. This will smooth out and help with lymphatic drainage; lymphatic drainage massages during your follow up appointments will assist with this.

Make sure to check the location, date and time of your massage appointments. Your massage can either be at our Double Bay clinic or Randwick Hospital.

Swelling

A good relief and outcome for swelling is to use Epsom Salt, found in pharmacies and large supermarkets. From day three, when in the shower, take a handful of Epsom Salt and gently massage the procedure areas. Follow the direction of the lymphatic glands and channels.

At day 10-15, when the incision wounds are healed and a scab has formed, a bath with Epson Salt is recommended. Use about two cups of Epsom salts in a warm water bath and bathe for about 15 minutes, twice a week.

Please sleep on your stomach for two(2) weeks if you had liposuction to your upper/lower stomach and/or chest.

Bruising

This is also individual and will gradually subside over approximately two to three weeks. You should then wear your support garment for the recommended time. Apply Arnica cream and continue to take Arnica tablet daily for two weeks post-op to speed up the recovery of your bruising.

Itching

This is individual and may cause some discomfort. For symptom relief, we suggest to use of cornstarch powder, which is found in normal baby powder – for example Johnson’s & Johnson’s Baby Powder Cornstarch & Aloe. Apply powder post showering and then put on the compression garment.

Skin Care

The garment may cause the skin to become dry and irritated, particularly in the colder months. It is important to look after your skin whilst wearing the garment. You may need to apply a gentle moisturizer or oil to you skin to prevent dry flaky areas. Oil based moisturizers, such a Paw Paw ointment or lanolin based products, work best if you skin has become dry and flakey. Also avoid strong soaps and detergents.

Wound Care

The garment is usually put on immediately post-surgery. Please keep the garment on for 3 weeks full time followed by 3 weeks part time (Neck Liposuction only requires the garment to be worn 3 days full time followed by 2 weeks part time).

The small incision holes and drains often drain for a few days, do not be alarmed if the fluid is bloodstained. If you are concerned, please do not hesitate to call us. We advise you to shower 24 hours post of (for areas such as chest/neck and 48 hours post op for 2 or more areas) however when taking off the garment for the first time please ensure that someone is with you as you may faint the first time you take off the garment. Avoid excessive heat and hot water, and be aware that leakage may increase slightly after showering or bathing

If you have stitches or drains, these remain in place for 5-7 days and are removed at the Clinic.

Pain

Some pain or discomfort can be expected after your surgery and is very normal. Remember that pain is easier to control if tackled earlier rather than later. Your doctor will advise you which is the preferred medication to take. If you have any questions regarding your pain relief or have excessive pain please do not hesitate to contact the doctor.

Nausea and vomiting

If you feel nauseous, place the Zofran (Ondansetron) tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve. You will have been given a prescription for these. Begin with liquids and advance to a light diet, and return to a normal diet as tolerated.

Infection

This is very rare, but is always a risk as with any surgery. Antibiotics are routinely prescribed to start the day after your procedure and be taken as prescribed until the course is finished. You will have been given a prescription for either “Keflex” or “Ciprofloxacin” these are antibiotic medications. Keflex: Take 1 Tablet 3 x daily or Ciprofloxacin: 1 Tablet 2 x daily. If you have a temperature please call the doctor or the clinic.

Constipation

The pain medication may make you constipated. To combat this, take Coloxyl and Senna/Movicol once or twice a day as needed, you do not need a prescription for these. Take Movical sachets as needed.

Support garment

A tight supportive garment must be worn 24 hours a day for 3 weeks. The garment should then be worn for 12 hours per day, preferably during the day, for another 3 weeks. Wear as often, and as long as possible for optimal results. The garment can be worn for a longer period to offer more support as required.
If you have had your abdomen treated, you will have to wear a binder and sometimes a corset on top of your support garment 24 hours a day for 3 weeks, then 12 hours per day for 3 weeks. When washing your corset (black foam garment) please remove the cardboard and remember to replace it when ready to wear again. Make sure it is very tight. If the corset is not worn correctly it can potentially compromise your final results.
If you have had your face/neck treated please sleep with your head elevated (2 pillows). Wear the head/neck garment for at least 7 days, ideally 1-3 weeks full time, the longer the better for optimum results. If you are unable to wear the garment full time after the initial 7 days please ensure you wear it in the evening. Avoid driving for more than 1 hour at a time.
You can have a lukewarm shower 48 hours after surgery. You may feel faint or nauseous when removing the garment for the first time. When you do so make sure you are lying down and that someone is with you. Please wait at least half an hour after removing the garment before showering. Showering for the first time should be done supervised.
It is extremely important not to wear any restrictive clothing other than the garment during the month following surgery. After abdominal/ flank liposuction has been performed, anything that is tight in the waist area such as jeans or tight underwear can leave an indentation line where the skin re-drapes itself. This indentation may be permanent. This includes a tight bra.
After 48 hours the garment can be removed and washed for the first time. You can wash your garment every 24 hours after this. Keeping the garment clean will reduce the risk of infection. The garment can be washed in a washing machine and allow to air dry. The garments can be placed in a tumble dryer, but on a cool cycle to prevent damage to the compression of the garments.
When you need to wash the garment, restrict your activities whilst the garment is drying. Most people find it comfortable to lie down and rest whilst they are waiting for the garment to dry.
When putting the garment back on, it is better to lie down so that the skin reattaches in a higher position. This may be painful and difficult but will minimize skin folds forming on the lower stomach.

Follow Up

We will book you in for a few complimentary lymphatic drainage massages, depending on your procedure areas.
We will also see you 6 weeks after the procedure for a check-up and post procedure photos.
Final results of Vaser liposuction may not be apparent for three months or more.
If you have drains or sutures, a follow up appointment 5 days post procedure is required for removal.
You will be given the doctors’ mobile numbers, which you can call for medical concerns.

Mobilising & Exercise

Slowly increase your activities as tolerated, over the next few days. It is important that you mobilise regularly to reduce swelling and the risk of developing a DVT.

Be aware of symptoms of DVT i.e. unexpected pain, cramp, swelling or tenderness in the lower leg and foot, pain on extending the foot, skin that is red and warm.

By one week you should be able to resume normal activities. Most people need approximately 2-7 days off work.