Liposuction on the face and neck: postoperative period

Patients should be advised of the natural postoperative changes associated with liposuction. Bruising and contusions after closed liposuction are variable and resolve within 7 to 21 days. Long-term pigmentary changes in the form of hemosiderin deposits may, although rare, occur. Postoperative swelling and infiltration may persist for weeks to months, and may sometimes mimic the original shape of the face and neck. A wide elastic bandage (with pads to prevent ear trauma) is worn around the clock for a week, then at night for 4 weeks. This bandage does seem to limit swelling. Minor irregularities are common after the swelling has resolved. Conspicuous irregularities are almost always temporary and can be corrected with gentle massage, reassuring talk, and sometimes glucocorticosteroid injections. Patients often complain of short-term numbness and tingling, but they are always warned about this before the operation. This is especially important for men - they should be extremely careful when shaving in the early postoperative period - the severity of discomfort after primary liposuction varies. Most patients return to their previous activities 2-3 days after the operation and are reminded to avoid vigorous head and neck movements for 2 weeks to ensure proper fixation of the separated skin to the subcutaneous bed. The final result of liposuction becomes apparent later. Sometimes it can take up to 6 months for the skin to contract and shrink.

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