A body lift is one of the best plastic surgery options to seek if you have lost a significant amount of weight. It can help you to shed excess skin that exercise alone cannot address. With a body lift, you can achieve that smooth, contoured look you’ve long dreamed about, but it’s important to properly follow the steps for your recovery time. Here is a guide that can help you have the best recovery after your body lift surgery.
Weeks 1 and 2 After Body Lift Surgery
The first week after your body lift surgery is the most sensitive time during your recovery. You should rest as much as possible but get up and move around for 10 to 15 minutes periodically to prevent blood clots in your leg or lower body. Go slowly and work your way up from there. You can also improve your recovery by getting plenty of sleep. During this time, you should aim for anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Elevate your head and feet to avoid excessive swelling.
It’s natural to feel sore and swollen within the first several months following your procedure. This will gradually pass during the second and third month. You can apply ice packs to minimize the swelling. You should also wear a supportive healing compression garment throughout the first six weeks after body lift surgery.
Weeks 3 and 4 After Body Lift Surgery
Once you reach the third week after your body lift surgery, the bruising should fade to a minimum. You will also begin to notice the results of your procedure. Of course, you should follow the instructions from your plastic surgeon regarding how often you should wear it.
Throughout the third and fourth week after your procedure, you should continue walking for several minutes each day to prevent clotting. By the fourth week, you should also be able to return to work as long as your job is not too physically demanding. If your position requires you to sit all day, get up and move around for five minutes periodically to improve your healing process.
Weeks 5 and 6 After Body Lift Surgery
By the time five weeks have passed since your body lift surgery, you will further be able to notice your amazing transformation. The majority of bruising and swelling should be gone by then and your incisions should be healed. Your surgeon will discuss your options for reducing any redness of scarring, which can include silicone sheets and topical treatments. If you are healing on track by the end of the sixth week, you can ease back into your regular exercise routine. However, if you exercise using weights, you should avoid any that involve heavy lifting. Always consult with your plastic surgeon about the best options for exercise.
Contact Us Today
If you are located in the Melbourne or Indialantic, Florida areas and are interested in body lift surgery, schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Novo or Dr. Gasgarth by filling out the form on our For Your Best Self website.
