That’s why Sono Bello procedures have been specifically designed to minimize pain and discomfort for patients during recovery and why Sono Bello’s surgeons choose the latest and most effective tools and techniques to make the healing process as smooth as possible.

Most patients who receive liposuction complete their recovery and see their final results within about 6 months post-procedure. However, healing times will vary from patient to patient and may be extended with the addition of excess skin removal.

Here’s a closer look at everything a patient needs to know about the recovery process after a Sono Bello liposuction, excess skin removal, or other body contouring procedure.

How long does it take to recover from a Sono Bello procedure?

The amount of time it takes to recover from a Sono Bello body contouring procedure (including liposuction and excess skin removal) will vary from patient to patient.

Generally the recovery process for most patients spans about 6 months to see final results, and the healing process breaks down into a few key phases:

Immediate post-procedure recovery. Within the first 1-2 days (roughly 48 hours) after a Sono Bello procedure is performed, the very first stages of healing take place. The patient will be instructed by their surgeon to rest for the first 24 hours after their procedure and to resume light physical activity (like walking) within the first 48 hours.

During this period, the tumescent fluid used during a liposuction procedure—an IV solution containing lidocaine for anesthesia and the vasoconstrictor epinephrine—will drain from the incision sites and will require patients to change their dressing frequently. It is critical that patients wear their early acute high compression garment during this time to help fluid drain completely and help express the acute inflammatory exudate from surgery.

For most patients, this fluid drainage will be complete by day 4 post-procedure.

Healing of incisions. After the tumescent fluid has drained, the incision sites where the surgeon inserted micro cannulas to suction fat out of the body will begin to heal. Because Sono Bello surgeons use small cannulas and specialize in minimally invasive liposuction, most patients see their liposuction incisions heal within the first 14 days after their procedure.

During this phase of recovery, patients may transition to their second, more comfortable compression garment. A 1-week post-operative checkup with the Sono Bello medical team will be scheduled during this time to evaluate the patient’s healing process.

For patients who also had excess skin removed during a procedure like AbEX, which combines liposuction with excess skin removal, will require longer healing times (up to 6-12 months for the incision sites to fully heal). These patients will also have an additional 1-month post-procedure checkup with their surgeon to review the healing progress after the excess skin removal procedure.

Decrease in swelling & bruising. Within about 24 hours after a Sono Bello procedure, the patient will begin to experience some swelling and bruising in the treated areas. This is normal and will begin to gradually decrease over the following days and weeks. Most patients feel the swelling start to decrease in as little as 2-3 days post-procedure, with visible reduction in swelling around the 6-week mark. By 3 months post-procedure, most swelling will be gone for most patients.

To encourage reduction in swelling, patients will be instructed to wear their compression garments: first, the early acute high compression garment for the first week, then transitioning to the less constrictive secondary garment for the next 3-6 weeks, or as long as is directed by the surgeon.

Skin tightening. As swelling subsides and the patient continues their healing process, the skin near the treated area will tighten and the patient’s body will begin to assume the final desired shape. The heat generated by laser liposuction itself can help to stimulate collagen and promote skin tightening, but activities like regular exercise and massaging the treated area can help the process.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sono Bello Recovery

Will recovery from Sono Bello hurt?

Modern liposuction has evolved and improved to the point where it is now a relatively painless procedure. Because Sono Bello specializes in liposuction, Sono Bello surgeons are skilled in performing body contouring procedures with minimal pain during the procedure itself and only minimal discomfort during the recovery process.

However, it is still possible for patients to experience some discomfort during recovery, especially soreness in treated areas as swelling and bruising decrease.

For this reason, some patients opt for pain relief medication during the recovery period. Sono Bello surgeons usually recommend a patient start with non-narcotic pain medications like Ibuprofen and Tylenol. These can help minimize pain while helping patients stay active during recovery, which can help speed the healing process and lead to better results.

For patients who feel more discomfort, narcotic analgesic medication may be prescribed by the Sono Bello surgeon to help control the pain in the early post-operative period.

How long will bruising & swelling last after a Sono Bello procedure?

Swelling may kick in within around 24 hours and last for at least 6 weeks—but a lot of this swelling will go down within 2-3 days. For most liposuction patients, swelling will be completely gone by about 3 months post-procedure.

Why do I have to wear compression garments after a Sono Bello procedure?

The compression garments worn by patients after their Sono Bello procedure serves several important purposes:

1. Helping to drain tumescent fluid and reduce swelling and post-procedure
2. Assisting in comforting the patient during the healing process

Wearing the compression garment according to a Sono Bello surgeon’s instructions is an important part of achieving a patient’s ideal appearance after a liposuction or excess skin removal procedure.

How long should I wear compression garments after a Sono Bello procedure?

Patients should expect to wear a compression garment for around 3-6 weeks or as long as directed by their surgeon.

Sono Bello provides patients with two stages of garments: one for the immediate period (around 7 days post-procedure) and a second stage garment which is less constrictive and can be worn for the duration of their surgeon-directed recovery process.

Do I need post-surgery care after a Sono Bello procedure?

It is very important that every Sono Bello patient have a responsible adult over the age of 18 available to drive them home after the procedure. Sono Bello also requires that this caregiver remain with the patient for the first 24 hours after surgery to provide additional support.

Most Sono Bello patients do not require special care immediately after their procedure, but many feel drowsy after their procedure and may choose to sleep.

All Sono Bello patients have a 1 week post operative appointment with the Sono Bello medical team to check on the progress of swelling and wound healing, as well as to address any issues around infection or retention of fluid. AbEX patients also have a 1-month post-operative appointment with the Sono Bello medical team to check on the progress of incision healing.

How should I sleep after a Sono Bello procedure?

Sono Bello surgeons do not offer any restrictions on resting positions after a liposuction or excess skin removal procedure, but it is generally best to avoid putting too much pressure on the incision sites.

Most patients usually choose whichever position is most comfortable for them, whether that be sitting or lying down on their back, side or stomach.

Can I eat and drink after a Sono Bello procedure?

Sono Bello surgeons strongly recommend that a patient keep hydrated after surgery, as it is easy to get dehydrated during the immediate recovery process. Patients should frequently drink small amounts of fluid during the early phases of recovery and keep their hydration up as the healing progresses.

For food, most Sono Bello patients start with a soft diet immediately after surgery and advance back to a normal diet shortly thereafter. Patients should monitor how they feel and consult with their primary care physician regarding any dietary concerns.

What diet should I follow after a Sono Bello procedure?

Generally, Sono Bello patients require a relatively high number of calories during recovery to help fuel the healing process. It’s also very important to keep hydrated and drink plenty of liquid, so choosing foods low in sugar and sodium may also help promote recovery.

Patients should consult with their primary care physician or nutritionist one month after surgery to better understand any specific diet recommendations.

What clothes should I wear during recovery?

After a Sono Bello procedure, it’s usually best for patients to wear clothing that is loose-fitting and comfortable and large enough to accommodate the compression garment worn underneath.

Are there any side effects to a Sono Bello procedure?

The only effects Sono Bello patients feel after their procedure are the temporary swelling and bruising caused by the procedure itself.

Sono Bello’s many years spent specializing in proven, safe body contouring methods and technologies have helped thousands of satisfied patients without side effects, as demonstrated by the over 24,500 five-star reviews online about their experience and shared their stories for others considering similar procedures.

How soon will people notice the results from my Sono Bello procedure?

Individual healing times and recovery periods tend to vary from patient to patient, but most patients see noticeable results almost immediately—usually within several days to weeks.

Almost all patients see the final results from their Sono Bello procedure within 6 months.

Will my skin retract or tighten after a Sono Bello procedure?

A patient’s skin will tighten after a liposuction procedure and this is a natural part of the healing process. The heat transferred to the dermis during a micro-laser liposuction like TriSculpt may even help to stimulate collagen, which can aid in skin tightening during recovery.

Lymphatic massage on and around the treated body areas can help to drain fluid from the incision sites during the patient’s initial recovery period and continued massages can also help to promote skin tightening throughout the remainder of the healing process.

Does fat come back after Sono Bello?

Permanent Fat Removal Disclaimer

Because Sono Bello procedures like liposuction permanently remove fat cells from the body, the actual fat in those body areas will not come back. Fat cells do not appear or disappear when a person loses weight; rather, they shrink and grow as that person’s weight changes.

That said, the remaining fat cells in a patient’s body may still expand if they gain weight in the future and this can impact their final appearance even after a liposuction procedure. For this reason, Sono Bello medical team recommends that all patients follow a healthy diet and exercise routine post procedure to ensure optimal results from your TriSculpt or AbEX procedure.

Will there be scars after a Sono Bello procedure?

For patients who choose Sono Bello liposuction, the size of the incisions made during the liposuction procedure are usually straight lines no more than 3 to 4 mm in size—smaller than the tip on a patient’s pinky finger. These heal normally after all fluid has been drained and with the help of scar tape and massaging most Sono Bello patients see only minimal to no scarring a few months after their procedure.

Because excess skin removal procedures tend to require a larger hip-to-hip incision, many patients can expect well-healed scarring at the surgical that may fade over a period of up to two years. Keeping the incision site clean and protected, as instructed by a Sono Bello surgeon, can help to achieve a favorable scar.

When can I resume normal activities again after a Sono Bello procedure?

Dr. Christopher Chung, Sono Bello’s Chief Medical Officer, recommends that patients should return to normal activities right away after their liposuction procedure—usually within 2-3 days after their procedure—as this will help to facilitate the healing process. These can include walking and working a relatively sedentary job, even if there is some soreness for the first few days or weeks,

When can I start exercising after a Sono Bello procedure?

Patients are not encouraged to exercise until directed so by their surgeon, but for most patients 3-4 weeks post-procedure is usually when they get back to light exercise like walking or light jogging.

More strenuous activities like lifting weights or running should not begin until they are cleared by a surgeon and most patients do not reach this until 4 or more weeks beyond their procedure date.

All recovery is patient dependent, so all patients should consult with their surgeon when determining their recovery plan and when it is safe to return to regular exercise. For patients who choose excess skin removal procedures like AbEX, recovery time may be longer than for procedures like liposuction.

When can I start driving after a Sono Bello procedure?

Sono Bello patients are not permitted to drive themselves home after their procedure and an adult over the age of 18 must be available to sign them out and drive them home.

Sono Bello recommends all patients taking pain medication avoid driving. Only resume regular driving when you have stopped taking pain medication and when you are comfortable enough to do so.

When can I fly after a Sono Bello procedure?

Sono Bello recommends waiting 3-5 days for flights within the United States and 7-10 days for international traveling after a procedure. Patients generally wait until their incisions are healed and swelling has decreased before choosing to fly.

With the right planning, recovery from a Sono Bello procedure is simple

Any of Sono Bello’s 185+ Board Certified surgeons across the country will tell you that the recovery process is actually one of the most important parts of any body contouring procedure.

How a patient takes care of their body during the healing process has a great impact on their final results and following the recovery plan set by their surgeon is crucial to achieving their desired look.

It’s how more than 300,000 satisfied Sono Bello patients have found success and with a little preparation and patience every future patient can find the same.

The post How Long is Sono Bello Recovery Time? appeared first on Sono Bello.

While there has always been a fairly predictable framework for liposuction recovery, we have had substantial enhancement of the process over the last few decades, following scientific understanding and clinical correlation.

There are two fundamental evolutionary steps in the surgical delivery and recovery process that have improved outcome and reduced overall downtime:

• Establishment of superiority of Tumescent Technique. The use of a dilute solution of lidocaine and epinephrine for control of surgical bleeding and local anesthesia has become the standard technique for liposuction.  This technique has demonstrated clear advantage in safety and cost-benefit over general anesthesia.
• Management of acute wound milieu. Changes in clinical practice regarding the encouragement of open drainage from wound sites and the titration of the amount and timing of phased compression garments have resulted in the sophisticated management of the inflammatory exudate following the surgical injury of liposuction.

What Should I Expect After A Liposuction Procedure?

Being prepared for the post-operative period after a liposuction procedure and knowing what to expect are important. Your surgeon and the nurse should give you prescriptions for postoperative use and instructions for how they want you to use them. Most liposuction procedures utilize tumescent fluid – this is an IV solution to which lidocaine for anesthesia and epinephrine, a vasoconstrictor, to minimize blood loss, has been added. This tumescent fluid is injected into the area to be suctioned at the start of the case.

At the end of the case, some surgeons suture the small skin openings closed, but many leave the openings open to allow any excess tumescent fluid to run out. The fluid that comes out will contain a small amount of blood in the excess IV fluid, so this drainage fluid has the appearance of red or maroon water. Your surgeon and nurse should recommend dressings to absorb this fluid and protective barriers to be placed on any upholstery or bedding. The drainage can last one to two days.

Patients are placed in a compressive garment or binder immediately following the surgery and instructions will be given when to take the first shower, usually one to two days after, and how to progress their activity. Patients are generally instructed to rest the first 24 hours and then start moving around more on the second or third day. Walking is a good physical activity and patients should advance to this as soon as they are able. However, they should avoid bending, twisting, heavy lifting, and other strenuous activities for 4-6 weeks or until cleared by their surgeon or nurse.

Most people will swell 2-3 days after their liposuction procedure and then it gradually goes down over time. The area suctioned may be bruised as well. The area can remain firm or even lumpy as the swelling recedes.  You will be told when to start massaging the suctioned areas.

When Will I Start to See Results After Liposuction?

Individual healing varies, but most end up using their compression devices at least 3-6 weeks. Most will start to see results in the first days to weeks with a final result seen by 6 months postoperatively.

Typical Liposuction Recovery Timeline and Milestones

A useful conversation of liposuction recovery time should begin with a discussion of typical milestones.

• Days 1-2. During this time, the effects of the local anesthetic will wear off.  The magnitude of the acute surgical discomfort may well require narcotic analgesic pain relief.  The volume of serous drainage will be greatest during this time.  The dressings will need to be frequently replaced.  While the drainage will certainly be blood tinged, it should be emphasized that the actual amount of blood that is lost is very minimal.  During this first 48 hours, the maximum impact of the original compression garment is realized.
• Days 3-14. Drainage will have completely stopped by day 4. The need for the early acute high compression garment Is now waning, and by day 7, the more comfortable second stage garment may be applied.  The early garment is applied to help express the acute inflammatory exudate from surgery, and the second stage garment is intended to assist in comfort.  This strategy in switching from an initially high compression garment to a lower compression garment is known as bimodal compression therapy.  Typically, a clinical encounter will be arranged around days 7 to 10 to evaluate the progress of wound healing and to assess for any acute concern such as infection or retention of fluid.  Many patients that are employed in sedentary positions find its possible return to work at this point.  Those who are laborers and are more active may need an extended period of time to resume full work responsibilities.
• Days 15-28. The surgical incisions will have all completely healed. This period of time will be marked by substantial decrease in post-operative swelling that had been recognized in prior weeks. The general constitution will have improved to the point that light to moderate exercise can be introduced into the daily routine.
• Days 29+. This period is marked by the conversion of the acute inflammatory edema phase to a phlegmonous subacute wound healing phase. There is also substantial progress in exercise tolerance and ability to resume fitness routines.  The period between the third and the sixth month is marked by ongoing resolution of the inflammatory phlegmon and the progressive reveal of the final contours.

While it is suspected that some individual variation will occur with the above, it is helpful to have consistent guidelines and establish expectations preoperatively.

Helpful Liposuction Aftercare and Post Op Instructions

Here are some helpful secondary nuances in liposuction recovery:

• As in most health-related paradigms, diet has a substantial impact. Specifically, it is helpful to the patient to maintain hydration through an adequate fluid intake, but inadvisable to have foods or fluids that are rich in electrolytes and salts which promote edema.
• Activity is to be encouraged, as this helps avoid the pooling of blood in the lower extremities and pelvis and contributes to risk reduction of thromboembolic events.
• Massage has advantages that can be realized through encouraging lymphatic drainage reorganization of a scar, stretching, and stress mitigation.
• Of particular importance regarding the choice of clothing is to avoid wearing tight waistbands and other focally constrictive garments, as substantial contour irregularities can be created by poorly fitting clothing.

The focus on the biomechanical details and improvements in the technique of surgical delivery and recovery is the hallmark of the collected experience of over 100 board certified plastic surgeons performing over 140,000 surgeries during the last ten years by the Sono Bello clinical team.

Asking Dr. Chung: What is the Recovery Process from Sono Bello Laser Lipo?

Dr. Christopher Chung, Chief Medical Officer of Sono Bello explains the key components of the recovery process after Sono Bello’s TriSculpt laser liposuction and how our procedure is customized to reduce soreness and recovery time.

Video Transcript

Mike Garrison, President, Sono Bello: Dr. Chung can you talk a little bit about the recovery process from liposuction?

Dr. Chris Chung, Chief Medical Officer, Sono Bello:

Yes. The recovery process mostly involves swelling. Because of the liposuction your body will swell. I would say that in about six week, 60% of your swelling is gone and people start to see dramatic changes. And during that period most people take about several days of pain medication, some may be a little bit more, some a little bit less, but very rarely does anyone take over five days. So once the swelling is gone, then the second part of the recovery comes into play and that is the skin tightening part. And obviously with further reduction and swelling with the skin tightening, the final outcome can be achieved, anywhere between three to six months. I personally encourage my patients to resume normal activities right away and that’s how you minimize complications. And even light exercise as about two weeks.

Asking Dr. Chung: What Downtime and Soreness Can be Expected During the Liposuction Recovery Process?

Dr. Chung explains the typical expectations around downtime and soreness for patients who undergo the Sono Bello Trisculpt procedure.

Video Transcript

Mike Garrison, President, Sono Bello: Dr. Chung can you talk a little bit about what the downtime is with a liposuction procedure? what patients might expect in terms of soreness?

Dr. Chris Chung, Chief Medical Officer, Sono Bello:

Yes. So in terms of downtime I actually encourage my patients to resume normal activities right away. I know that there is some soreness, most patients take some form of pain medication for two or three days but really not much beyond that. You know most of that soreness is from the swelling that occurs naturally and most of that swelling will be gone by about six weeks.

Mike Garrison, President, Sono Bello: And what do you advise patients to do to achieve their absolute best results after a liposuction procedure?

Dr. Chris Chung, Chief Medical Officer, Sono Bello:

So, in order to achieve the best possible outcome, we ask all patients to comply with our very specific post-operative instructions. Which are really there to help navigate the patient through this process after the surgery, to promote safety, to minimize complications. And ultimately for the long-term outcome, obviously, it’s a strict maintenance to a better lifestyle is key, absolutely key, to achieving the most optimal outcome.

The post Recovery After Liposuction appeared first on Sono Bello.