Body Lift in Sydney – Recovery

What should you expect after a body lift (circumferential lipectomy) in Sydney?

All body lift procedures are performed with the plan of the patient staying in hospital somewhere between a few days and a week. All patients who have a body lift in Sydney will have drains in their thighs and abdomen when they wake up. The drains will stay in until there is only a small amount of fluid coming out of them. This can take up to a week or two, although it can be longer or shorter in some patients. The removal of the drains is generally quick and not painful.

Side effects that may occur after a body lift (circumferential lipectomy) 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 your body lift (circumferential lipectomy)

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. It’s important to wear this garment at all times for the first six weeks after your body lift in Sydney. This helps reduce the amount of fluid in the drains (so they come out earlier) and also helps to compress the fat that has been aspirated to minimise swelling and help form a smooth contour.

Heading home after your body lift (circumferential lipectomy)

Once you are comfortable moving around your room, you will be discharged home with a prescription for pain relief and antibiotics. You will take these medications for a few days after your body lift in Sydney.

Return to activity after your body lift (circumferential lipectomy) in Sydney

A body lift is a surgical procedure, and you will need to plan for a little “down time” after your breast lift in Sydney. Most people can return to an office job within three or four weeks. Gently walking is the only exercise you should plan on doing for the first month, and it will take six to eight weeks before you will feel well enough to return to the gym or restart running.

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 best outcome from your body lift in Sydney.

Follow up appointments after your body lift (circumferential lipectomy) in Sydney

You will be asked to see Dr Gavin Sandercoe and 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 week and three weeks with our practice nurse, and at three months and twelve months with Dr Gavin Sandercoe after your body lift 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!