I’m getting lipo on flanks with breast reduction. Will it be noticeable right away? Can I go to work in a week?

You will probably see results right away, however it may take several weeks before all of the swelling resolves and you see your final results. My patients usually are able to return to work within 7 to 10 days. Good luck.

Dear Shaken17, 
Thank you for your question. Following your procedure, you should notice an immediate improvement in the size of your breasts and your hip contours. However, swelling, bruising and other side effects will affect the appearance of your results. Final results typically take around six months to fully develop, although small amounts of residual swelling can linger for nine months up to one year
When you are able to return to work will depend on the requirements of your job and the success of your recovery. Most patients find that seven to 10 days of rest is sufficient, although you may require more or less. I recommend you discuss these questions with your board-certified surgeon prior to your procedure to ensure you know exactly what to expect after your surgery. Best of luck to you!

Franziska Huettner

Generally, recovery requires one to two weeks.  With respect to physical activity,  take it easy to start with. Much depends upon the health of the patient prior to surgery, and the level of physical activity and lifting following surgery. Your incisions must be healed before doing any strenuous activity. You do not want to do anything strenuous or that requires you to bend or stretch.  The board certified plastic surgeon who performs your surgery is the best one to recommend your period of recovery and will provide you with post-operative guidelines
Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Hello and thank you for your question.
You will be swollen from the lipo. As long as you feel up to it, there is no reason you can not go back to work. Take care of yourself and let your body heal. Best wishes!

Immediate results can be observed right after surgery, but you will have to expect swelling, bruising, and some lumps to appear in the early stages of healing. These are all temporary and should resolve as soon as you heal fully, which can take up to 4 to 6 months, depending on how fast you recover. Usually, patients are advised to avoid strenuous work for the first two weeks post op, but that decision would totally come from your surgeon as each surgeon has his/her own post-op protocols.

Thank you for your question! You should see noticeable results right away, but it could take at least 3 months until you see you final result. You will have to allow time for swelling to subside. Most patients can return to work between 7-10 days. I recommend discussing this with your board certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck! 

Hi and thank you for your question.  You should see a very nice result almost instantaneously following your breast reduction and liposuction procedure but it is important for you to be aware that final results will take 6-12 month to fully realize.  It takes 6-12 months for full swelling to subside and you will continue to see contour improvements during this time.  As far as recovery and return to work is concerned, your best bet and best advice would come from a conversation with your board certified plastic surgeon.  In my practice, my liposuction and breast reduction patients will often return to work within 3-5 days depending upon their job type and responsibilities.  I request that my patients avoid all exercising and heavy lifting for the first 4 weeks following surgery and for some patients this will translate to needing more time off from work.I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming surgery and I would encourage you to bring these questions to the attention of your PS.  I hope that this helps!

Congratulations on your decision to proceed with breast reduction surgery; it is one of the most patient pleasing operations we perform.  
 Most of our patients return to work, depending on exactly what is involved at the workplace,  somewhere between 10 days to four weeks after surgery. You may want to run your question by your surgeon after detailing your specific job acquirements.
Best wishes.

Thank you for your question. Everyone has different level of tolerance for pain. Many patients are able to return to work after 1 week but time will tell. If you have a desk job, it may be easier to return at 1 week. Please discuss with your plastic surgeon, re activity restrictions.

Undergoing liposuction on the flanks (sides of the torso) along with breast reduction surgery can result in noticeable changes to your body contour, but the extent of the changes and the time it takes to see them can vary from person to person. Here are some points to consider:
1. Immediate Results: After liposuction, there will likely be some immediate changes in the contour of your flanks, but these changes may be obscured initially by swelling and bruising. It's common to experience swelling in the treated areas, which can take several weeks to subside and reveal the final results.
2. Recovery Time: Recovery from liposuction typically involves some degree of bruising, swelling, and discomfort, which can affect your ability to perform certain activities, including work. While every individual's recovery experience is unique, returning to work within a week after combined breast reduction and liposuction may be feasible for some people, especially if their job is not physically demanding and they have a desk job or work from home. However, it's essential to listen to your body and follow your plastic surgeon's post-operative instructions regarding activity level and recovery timeline.
3. Compression Garments: Your plastic surgeon will likely recommend wearing compression garments after liposuction to help reduce swelling, support the tissues, and optimize the results. Depending on the extent of liposuction and your plastic surgeon's recommendations, you may need to wear compression garments continuously for several weeks or only during the initial phase of recovery.
4. Activity Restrictions: It's important to avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, and vigorous exercise during the early stages of recovery to minimize the risk of complications and allow your body to heal properly. Your plastic surgeon will provide specific guidelines regarding activity restrictions and when it's safe to gradually resume normal activities, including work.
5. Follow-up Appointments: Be sure to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon so they can monitor your progress, assess your healing, and address any concerns or questions you may have during the recovery process.
Before undergoing combined breast reduction and liposuction surgery, discuss your recovery expectations, including returning to work, with your plastic surgeon. They can provide guidance based on your individual circumstances, the extent of the procedures, and your overall health to help you plan for a smooth and successful recovery.