How Soon Can You Exercise After Liposuction to Maintain Your Results?

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Liposuction is performed to reduce exercise-resistant fat pockets across the body. Even though exercise cannot remove this stubborn fat, it is still needed to keep it off after a liposuction procedure.

However, when is it too early to start an exercise routine? And what can happen if you start moving too soon?

What Can Liposuction Do?

Liposuction is an effective fat reduction procedure that removes unwanted pockets of subcutaneous fat anywhere in the body. Some of the most common procedures include the:

• Abdomen
• Waist (love handles)
• Lower back
• Thighs
• Arms
• Knees
• Calves
• Under the chin

Will I Have Pain Following Liposuction?

Liposuction is a common plastic surgery procedure that only requires short incisions. That being said, it can still cause discomfort, especially when liposuction is the primary procedure and performed on multiple body areas simultaneously. 

Fortunately, Dr. Fiala employs multiple pain relief protocols during his liposuction procedures to reduce pain during and initially after the surgery, when the pain would otherwise be the worst.

Using Nerve Blocks for More Comfortable Treatments and Recovery

When possible, Dr. Fiala will use nerve blocks to help prevent pain. For instance, an ESP block can be used for liposuction of the waist (love handles or muffin tops). A TAP block can be used to numb the abdomen (and can prevent pain for up to three days). 

These are just some of the recovery protocols used by Dr. Fiala when performing liposuction. In addition to this, Dr. Fiala also prescribes medicines before surgery to address post-operative nausea, which is of significant concern following a surgical procedure. 

*Dr. Fiala is one of the only surgeons in Orlando who offers these nerve blocks for pain relief.

What Can You Expect With Liposuction Recovery?

Thanks to Dr. Fiala’s recovery protocols, you may feel good enough to return to your normal activities soon after your surgery; however, just because you feel up to it doesn’t mean that you can jump into exercise right away. 

In fact, you will still need to avoid strenuous exercise and vigorous activities for up to four to six weeks. If you are comfortable, Dr. Fiala will allow you to start stretching and doing light exercise at three to four weeks, as long as everything is progressing well.

*This is only an estimate. Dr. Fiala will provide you with a much more accurate estimate during your consultation once your surgical plan has been established and your medical history evaluated. 

The total length of your recovery will significantly depend on the extent of the procedure and the number of treatment areas. According to Florida law, it is possible to remove up to 4,000 CCs of fat for qualifying candidates, which roughly translates to 8.5 pounds of fatty tissue. That being said, the more fat that is removed, and the more areas treated, the longer you can anticipate your recovery being, with post-op swelling being the number one issue. 

Additional factors that affect the length of recovery include the age, general health, and post-surgical routine of the patient.

Even though liposuction has smaller incisions compared to some other surgeries, like tummy tuck or Mommy Makeover surgery, recovery is still slow, sometimes slower than other body contouring surgeries due to the bruising and swelling.

While it varies from patient to patient, most can expect that their swelling will subside within three months with final results showing in approximately six months as the skin shrinks up and re-drapes over the new contours. 

At this time, it will be up to you to maintain these results with a diligent exercise routine.

Exercise After Liposuction

The body needs time to heal after the procedure, so you will need to limit physical activity, especially in the first few weeks of liposuction recovery. Jumping too early into intense workouts can lead to post-surgical complications such as bruising, swelling, and even seroma (an accumulation of body fluids), adversely affecting your results and the healing progress.

Recovery varies from person to person and usually depends on the characteristics of your lipo procedure, age, and lifestyle. 

It’s crucial to follow the provided recovery guidelines and to wait until Dr. Fiala clears you to resume an exercise regimen or provides further instructions on what you can and can’t do.

*It is important to check with Dr. Fiala before adding any strenuous activities to your routine. He will give you updates during your post-operative appointments that will better inform when you can return to your usual exercise program. 

Maintaining Long-Term Results

To keep off fat and maintain your beautiful results after liposuction, you must dedicate yourself to certain lifestyle changes. Now is not the time to revert to poor eating habits that bring new fat cells in all the wrong places. 

Besides a regular exercise regime, a nutritious diet is essential to enhance and maintain results.

Tired of Unwanted Fat? Consider Liposuction With Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Fiala

Voted the #1 Best Plastic Surgeon in Orlando, Florida by the readers of Orlando Magazine. 

If you’re considering liposuction, it’s essential to consult with a qualified and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, as they can evaluate your individual case and determine if the procedure is appropriate for you. 

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Fiala is dedicated to providing the best quality aesthetic cosmetic surgeries along with detailed instructions and follow-up visits to ensure patients achieve their desired results. 

For More Information on the Treatments and Procedures offered, contact award-winning Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thomas Fiala at Fiala Aesthetics in Greater Orlando to Schedule Your Consultation:

Voted the #1 Best Plastic Surgeon in Orlando, Florida by the readers of Orlando Magazine.

Serving patients in and around Greater Central Florida: Orlando, Altamonte, Lake Mary, Maitland, Winter Park, Clermont, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Celebration, Heathrow, Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Sanford, Deltona, Deland, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Tampa, Jacksonville, Sarasota and more.