Liposuction removes fat in the body that cannot be efficiently removed by exercise. “When can I resume exercise?” is a frequently asked question of patients who undergo liposuction because they would not want to gain weight after the recovery. Under normal circumstances, recovery from liposuction is fast. However, the length of recovery varies from patient to patient. Sometimes, it also takes a while for the swelling to subside.
Resuming normal activities after liposuction is important to improve the body circulation and to enable the patient to on with the business of living. Still, there are some factors that determine when you can go back to work and how soon you can go back to exercising after liposuction. For example, the pain and discomfort that each patient will feel after liposuction will vary. Pain and discomfort is an offshoot of any surgery and in this case, you will be prescribed medications to ease and manage the pain. Swelling and bruising are also normal after liposuction and it could take a couple of weeks to a month before improvements can be seen. Within a few days after the surgery, the patient is advised to perform light exercises such as walking, swimming, or a stationary bike to preclude risks of clotting and minimize the adhesions of the skin and tissue. Most patients can resume normal activities within 2 weeks. After 3 weeks, the patient can gradually introduce normal exercise routines, if able. It is best to avoid any heavy lifting. Start with light cardio exercises to condition the body back to form. Progressively, patients can introduce more strenuous exercises including heavy lifting in about 4 to 6 weeks. Be reminded that the “how soon” will depend on how your body heals. Everybody is different. If you just went through what we call high volume liposuction, you may not be able to go back to exercising within this short period of time. On the other hand, if you had liposuction in just one area, you may actually be able to exercise within a few days. Rest assured, your surgeon is going to monitor your progress and he is going to dictate exactly when you can start with your exercise protocol based on the healing process, level of surgery, among other things.