Know what to expect – There will be some mild pain during recovery, but it can be mitigated with medication. Some drainage of fluids from the incisions is perfectly normal. If you are uncertain about anything, make sure to ask your surgeon for clarification.

Avoid smoking – Smoking reduces your body’s ability to heal well, thereby increasing the risk of complications and scarring. Staying smoke-free will help you heal well.

Proper diet – Certain things in your diet like alcohol, caffeine, or too much sodium also inhibit good healing because they make it harder for your body to stay properly hydrated. Moderate your sodium intake and avoid caffeine and alcohol while you are healing.

Clean dressings – Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take care of the dressings on the incisions. This will minimize the risk of infections or scarring.

Moderate activity – You will need plenty of rest while you are healing, especially during the first few days. Strenuous exercise is usually discouraged. However, you should not be completely sedentary. You need plenty of blood circulation to the affected areas of your liposuction. This will aid in the healing process and reduce the risk of complications like a blood clot. Walking a little each day makes a big difference.

Bathe carefully – Submerging your incisions in water is not advisable until they are fully healed. After a few days, you will be able to shower. Your surgeon will be able to tell you when you will be ready to fully submerge in a tub or swimming pool again.

Compression Garments – Your surgeon will probably recommend compression garments to be worn while you heal. These should be tight, but not too tight. They need to be tight enough to hold the desired body contour, but not so tight that they cause numbness. If the edges are digging into your body, they are probably too tight.