What to Expect When Having Liposuction

Anesthesia: Small areas of liposuction can be done under local or sedation anesthesia, while more extensive liposuction is done under general anesthesia.

Location of Operation: Liposuction is usually performed in the hospital or outpatient surgery center, but can be done in small areas in the office.

Length of Surgery: The procedure time depends on the extent of the liposuction and the number of areas to be treated.

Length of Stay: Liposuction is usually done as an outpatient procedure, but may occasionally require an overnight stay for monitoring of fluid status.

Discomfort: Minimal to mild depending on the number of areas treated and well controlled with pain medication prescribed by the physician.

Swelling and Bruising: Bruising usually resolves in 10-14 days and may be extensive. Swelling usually takes longer to resolve and may persist for 6-8 weeks.

Drains: No drains are used for standard liposuction, but are sometimes used after ultrasonic liposuction. Drainage of pink or blood-tinged fluid from the access incisions is common for the first 24-48 hours.

Bandages: The initial garment is to be worn day and night for two weeks. It is designed to help in contouring the tissues and in aiding the shrinkage of the skin. After the first 2 week period, a second garment is used and worn only during the day time. This garment is less supportive and should be worn for 2-4 weeks.

Stitches: Small skin incisions heal quickly and are closed with one or two small absorbable sutures.

Work: We recommend 2-3 days from work for most patients, but this varies depending on the extent of liposuction, other medical issues, age, and type of work performed.

Exercise: Light activities can be resumed in 1 week and more strenuous exercise can resume in 2-3 weeks as long as lycra or spandex-type garment is worn. By 6 weeks, all activities can be resumed.

Sun Protection: If your scar is exposed while you are outdoors, you should protect it with sunscreen SPF 15 or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Usually seen after 6 months. The tissues need time to reshape and soften as the skin continues to shrink and tighten.

Special Care: Massage is recommended using either manual massage or a small hand held massager. This is done once the bruising has resolved and helps in softening and contouring the tissues. Massage is partially helpful the first 3 months after surgery. NO SMOKING is recommended 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery to aid in the healing process.

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What to Expect When Having Gynecomastia Surgery

Anesthesia: General. You will sleep through the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: Normally 1 hour.

Length of Stay: This is done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Minimal and controlled with pain medication.

Swelling and Bruising: Most postoperative bruising will resolve in 10-14 days. Swelling can take up to 3-6 months to completely resolve.

Drains: No drains are used for standard liposuction, but are sometimes used after ultrasonic upon the doctor’s discretion.

Bandages: The initial garment is to be worn day and night for 2 weeks. It is designed to help in contouring the tissues and in aiding the shrinkage of the skin. After the first 2 week period, a second garment is used and worn only during the day. This garment is less supportive and should be worn for 2-4 weeks.

Stitches: Small skin incisions heal quickly and are closed with one or two small absorbable sutures.

Work: We recommend 2-3 days from work for most patients, but this varies depending on the extent of liposuction, other medical issues, age, and type of work performed.

Exercise: Light activities can be resumed in 1 week and more strenuous exercise can resume in 2-3 weeks as long as a lycra or spandex-type garment is worn. By 6 weeks, all activities can be resumed.

Final Result: Usually seen after 6 months. The tissues need time to reshape and soften as the skin continues to shrink and tighten.

Special Care: Massage is recommended using either manual massage or a small hand-held massager. This is done once the bruising has resolved and helps in softening and contouring the tissues. Massage is partially helpful the first 3 months after surgery.

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What to Expect When Having Labiaplasty Surgery

Anesthesia: General or local.

Location of Operation: Hospital, outpatient surgery center, or office-based surgical suite.

Length of Surgery: 1 Hour

Length of Stay: Outpatient.

Discomfort: Minimal to mild. The initial discomfort is controlled with prescription pain medication from the physician.

Swelling and Bruising: Some swelling and bruising can be expected. This should subside in 1-2 weeks. It is suggested that you have no intercourse for one month after the procedure.

Bandages: The dressing for this procedure is simply a larger maxi pad.

Stitches: All sutures used are dissolvable.

Work: May return to work or school in 1-2 days with minimal discomfort.

Exercise: May resume one month after procedure.

Final Result: Are noticed immediately.

Special Care: None.

What to Expect When Having a Necklift

Anesthesia: Sedation or general. You will sleep through the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital, outpatient surgery center or an office-based surgical suite.

Length of Surgery: 2-4 hours

Length of Stay: Neck lifts are done on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Mild to moderate, but is controlled with 2-4 days of prescription pain medication. Some patients are comfortable after taking Tylenol or Motrin.

Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected, but will improve within 10-14 days. Swelling can be reduced through constant head elevation and frequent application of ice.

Numbness: May last 3 months, but typically resolves completely.

Bandages: A bulky bandage is used immediately after surgery. This is removed at the first post-op visit and replaced with an elastic chin strap, which is worn 2 weeks around the clock and then 2 more weeks at night.

Stitches: Removed in 5-7 days after surgery.

Makeup: Water based makeup may be used 1 week after surgery.

Work: May return to work or school in 5-7 days.

Exercise: Light exercise can resume in 2 weeks; strenuous exercise may begin 4 weeks after surgery.

Sun Protection: If your scar is exposed while you are outdoors, you should protect it with sunscreen SPF or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Seen in 4-8 weeks following most neck lifts.

Special Care: ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!! Smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to and a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery for proper healing and results.

What to Expect When Having an Inner or Outer Thighlift

Anesthesia: General. You will sleep during the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: 2 hours.

Length of Stay: This is an outpatient procedure. The patient goes home the same day.

Discomfort: Moderate to severe. Anticipate 5-14 days of prescription pain medications.

Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected, but will improve within 4-6 weeks. Swelling may be reduced by keeping your legs elevated. As thigh swelling improves, you may notice swelling in your knees and ankles. Bruising improves in 10-14 days.

Drains: If drains are placed, they will be removed by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff in 3-7 days, depending on the output.

Bandages: Removed in 2-4 days.

Stitches: All stitches/sutures are dissolvable.

Work: You may return to work in approximately 1-4 weeks if you have stopped taking pain medication. If you are able to elevate your feet during work hours, you may return sooner. If your job requires lifting, you should wait 6 weeks to return.

Exercise: May be gradually resumed in 6 weeks.

Sun Protection: If your scars are exposed while outdoors, you should protect them with sunscreen SPF 15 or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Presentable in a bathing suit: 8-10 weeks.

Final Result: Final results are seen in approximately 6 months to 1 year after scar maturation.

Special Care: ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!!! No smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to and at least 4 weeks after surgery to allow for proper healing and best results.

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What to Expect When Having A Lower Body Lift (Buttock Lift or Lower Body)

Anesthesia: General. You will sleep during the entire procedure.

Location of Operation: Hospital, outpatient surgery center, or office-based suite.

Length of Surgery: Buttock lift, 4 hours; total bodylift 6-8 hours.

Length of Stay: Buttock lifts may require an overnight stay. Total body lifts will require 3-5 days in the hospital.

Discomfort: Moderate to severe. Anticipate 5-14 days of prescription pain medicine.

Swelling and Bruising: Both are expected, but will improve within 4-6 weeks. Swelling may be reduced by keeping your legs elevated. As thigh swelling improves, you may notice swelling in your knees and ankles. Bruising improves in 10-14 days.

Drains: If drains are placed, they will be removed in 3-7 days depending on drain output.

Bandages: Removed in 2-4 days.

Stitches: All stitches/sutures are dissolvable.

Work: You may return to work in approximately 1-4 weeks if you have stopped taking pain medication. If you are able to elevate your feet during work hours, you may return sooner. If your job requires lifting, you should wait 6 weeks to return.

Exercise: May be gradually resumed in 6 weeks.

Presentable in a bathing suit: 8-10 weeks.

Sun Protection: If your scar(s) is exposed while outdoors, you should protect it with sunscreen SPF 15 or higher for at least one year to prevent permanent discoloration.

Final Result: Final results are seen in approximately 6 months to 1 year after scar maturation.

Special Care: ABSOLULTELY NO SMOKING!!!!!!! No smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to surgery and at least 4 weeks after surgery for proper healing and best results.

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What to Expect When Having a Mastopexy

Anesthesia: Mastopexy surgery can be performed under a variety of anesthesia techniques. The more complex and involved the procedure, the deeper the anesthesia. A periareolar mastopexy can often be done under simple local anesthesia.

Location of Operation: Hospital or outpatient surgery center.

Length of Surgery: 1-1 ½ hours for periareolar mastopexy; 2-2 ½ hours for a vertical or a pectoral loop mastopexy; 3 hours for an inverted T-technique. Add 30 minutes if breast augmentation is also being performed.

Length of Stay: Mastopexy surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.

Discomfort: Initial discomfort is well controlled with oral pain medications.

Swelling and Bruising: The more extensive the procedure the more swelling and bruising that occur.

Numbness: Temporary nipple numbness may be present 4-6 weeks. Permanent numbness is rare but is more common with a more extensive mastopexy.

Bandages: The initial dressing is a 6-inch elastic Ace wrap used to compress the breasts. This wrap is removed the day after surgery only by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff. You will then be given a cotton bra to wear the first 2-3 weeks. Once the post-op dressing is removed showering is allowed. No tub baths or hot tubs for 3 weeks.

Stitches: Stitches are dissolvable and are covered initially by paper steri-strips or dermabond glue.

Drains: No drains are used for periareolar mastopexies. However, for the vertical and inverted T techniques a drain is often placed in each breast. These are typically removed 5-7 days after surgery. A drain care sheet and log are provided to you. Drains are only to be removed by Dr. Hainer or one of his staff.

Work: Off work time is typically 3-4 days unless work entails manual activity. If your job requires lifting or other upper-body activity, job modification may be required. Driving may resume usually within a week or when prescription pain medications are no longer being used.

Exercise: Aerobic activities can be resumed at one week. Routine lifting and childcare is allowed. A support bra or tailored-cup sports bra should be worn during exercise.

Sun Protection: Scars should be protected from sun exposure for 1 year with at least sunscreen SPF 15 or higher to prevent hyperpigmentation.

Final Result: Results are obvious immediately, will be near complete by 3 months, with final scar quality reached at 1 year. The breasts will have a natural contour and feel by 3-4 weeks.

Special Care: If implants are also placed, either saline or silicone, breast implant massage will be started about 1 week after surgery and continued for 6 weeks. Often a bandeau strap will be provided to help the implants settle. Refer to the breast augmentation instruction sheet for further information. ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING!!!!! Smoking is prohibited 4 weeks prior to surgery and a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery for the best possible healing and results.

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