What do you suggest to you patients to handle the first night of sleeping after Liposuction?

Question

What do you suggest to you patients to handle the first night of sleeping after lipo? I'm really worried that I'm going to have to sleep in a garbage bag wrapped in seran wrap or run the risk of destroying my bed & even worse leaking on my BF LOL I'm getting lipo on my abs (upper + lower), bra roll and "love" handles. What is the ideal position I should sleep in?

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

If the wounds are closed after the liposuction, like most surgeons do, you will have some leakage onto the gauze pads that are placed between your skin and the compression garment.  There are surgeons however that leave the wounds open.  I have never thought this was a good method.  Under these circumstances, there is large volume leakage which could be a logistical problem.

Arnold S. Breitbart, MD, FACS · Answer

Some leakage of fluid may occur the night after liposuction, even if the incision were sutured.  You can sleep in any position in which your are comfortable.  Sleeping on some towels can help your sheets from getting wet.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I let patient sleep in whatever position that they feel comfortable. Often after liposuction there may be some drainage and using old sheets or towels might be a good idea.

Mark D. Wigod, MD · Answer

Have a plan on how to sleep after surgery.  Some people like a bed, others a recliner.  Unless you have a tummy tuck or a face surgery and need to be at 45 degrees, positioning beyond that is more for comfort than anything else.  Just don't let you legs be below your body.  I would avoid stairs or sleeping with pets (shown to increase infections).  Simple precautions to protect your linens and clothes are reasonable.

Henry Mentz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Following surgery, I recommend an overnight stay at our our surgery center where you will be cared for by our registered nursing staff. To reduce swelling and help your body conform to its new contours, you may be fitted with a compression garment which will be worn for approximately four weeks. Recovery can range from 5-7 days for liposuction and up to two weeks for more extensive body lifting procedures.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Great question!It depends on a few things. If your surgeon sutures the openings shut, you may not leak any fluid. If your openings are left open but are properly covered with enough absorbent gauze and sealed with tape, you may not leak anything either.The seepage from liposuction openings usually stops after two days.  For the first night do the following:Make sure all openings are properly covered. Here's a little secret: women's absorbent pads work great and are much cheaper than gauze. If buying gauze at the pharmacy, look for abd-pads (abdominal-pads).Be careful when taping pads or gauze to your skin. The skin has to be able to stretch when the swelling begins. Don't use more tape than needed. Using too much tape can cause blistering!Put large towels on top of your sheets and sleep on those. Put large plastic garbage bags under your sheets to protect you mattress.GET SOME HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H2O2).Clean any blood stains with hydrogen peroxide before laundry. It's amazing. I have done over 1,000 liposuction procedures. It's rare that I hear patients mentioning leaking after surgery, though I often get asked about it before surgery.  I usually do not close the openings, and I make sure patients are well padded with two layers of pads carefully sealed by two-inch tape.I hope your procedure goes well.Best of luck,Mats Hagstrom, M.D.

What do you suggest to you patients to handle the first night of sleeping after Liposuction?

Answers (6)

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