Liposuction in Sydney – Recovery

What should you expect after liposuction in Sydney?

Most liposuction procedures are performed as day surgery and patients are comfortable enough for discharge by the end of the day. For extensive procedures, Dr Gavin Sandercoe may recommend spending a night in hospital after your liposuction in Sydney. Mega liposuction (over 5L) requires an overnight stay in intensive care.

Side effects that may occur after liposuction in Sydney

In the first 24 hours, it is normal to expect the following symptoms:-

•    Drowsiness
•    Dry throat
•    Nausea (possibly)
•    Discomfort and stiffness

Pain control after liposuction

You will be discharged home with a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics. You will take these medications for a few days after your liposuction in Sydney.

The local anaesthetic helps with pain control for the first evening, but has usually worn off by the following morning. This is usually the time when patients feel the most soreness. Regularly taking paracetamol and anti inflammatories for the first few days after the operation is important in minimising your discomfort and need for stronger pain killers.

You will wake up with a surgical or post operative compression garment on, and you should wear one at all times in the first four to six weeks after your liposuction in Sydney. This helps provide a smooth contour to the area treated and minimise the risk of fluid collection in the area.

Return to activity after liposuction in Sydney

The areas treated will feel stiff but this does improve each day. You will need to plan for a little “down time” after your liposuction in Sydney. Most people can return to an office job within a few days, depending on the extent of the areas aspirated. Gently walking is the only exercise you should plan on doing for the first few weeks, and it will take 3- 4 weeks before you will feel well enough to return to the gym or restart running.

Some people recommend massage of the areas that have been operated on. Dr Gavin Sandercoe‘s experience has been that this can be beneficial, but is very variable depending on the patient and massage therapist. At the time of this page’s last update (June 2023) we do not have an in house massage therapist, and do not have a local therapist that we can recommend.

Your body will tell you (with pain) if you are trying too soon. When you feel pain, it’s important that you back off and wait a few days before trying that activity again, rather than “pushing through the pain.” Allowing time for your body to heal will result in the fewest complications from your liposuction in Sydney.

Follow up after liposuction in Sydney

You will be asked to see Dr Gavin Sandercoe & his team for several follow up appointments to ensure that your body is healing well from the procedure. This also allows your Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney to treat any complications that occur. You will have appointments scheduled at one and three weeks with our practice nurse, and at three months with Dr Gavin Sandercoe after your liposuction in Sydney. Some procedures may require longer follow up. If there are any problems, we want to hear from you and sort it out as soon as possible!