What is the expected day-by-day recovery progression after a 360 liposuction (liposuction of the stomach, back, and hips) procedure?

Day-by-Day Recovery After 360 Liposuction

Your relative should expect peak swelling and discomfort during days 3-7, with gradual improvement in mobility and pain levels starting around day 5-7, followed by steady reduction in swelling over the subsequent 2-3 weeks. While the provided evidence focuses primarily on general surgical recovery protocols rather than cosmetic liposuction specifically, I can extrapolate from available liposuction data and general surgical principles to provide a realistic timeline.

Days 3-5 (Current Phase - Peak Discomfort Period)

• Swelling and bruising are at or near maximum during this timeframe, particularly with large-volume procedures involving multiple body areas 1, 2
• Pain should be mild to moderate and manageable with oral analgesics; approximately 75% of liposuction patients describe postoperative discomfort as mild to moderate 1
• Compression garment must be worn continuously (24 hours daily) to minimize swelling and support tissue healing 2
• Limited mobility is expected but gentle walking around the house should be encouraged to prevent blood clots, even if uncomfortable 3
• Drainage from incision sites may still be present but should be decreasing 2

Days 5-7 (Turning Point)

• Pain typically peaks and begins declining after day 5; most patients require narcotics for 7 days or less, with 60% needing them for less than 7 days 1
• Swelling begins gradual reduction though still significantly present 1, 2
• Increased mobility becomes easier as discomfort lessens; aim for walking 15-20 minutes multiple times daily 3
• Return to light activities may be possible depending on individual healing 2
• Bruising may appear more prominent as it spreads and changes color (normal healing process) 1

Days 7-14 (Early Recovery Phase)

• Significant improvement in comfort level with most patients transitioning to over-the-counter pain medication only 1, 2
• Swelling continues to decrease but remains noticeable; approximately 40-50% of initial swelling may persist 4
• Compression garment still required continuously or for most of the day (typically 23 hours daily) 2
• Return to desk work or light activities is usually feasible by day 10-14 2
• Gentle stretching and walking should be progressively increased 3

Days 14-21 (Continued Improvement)

• Swelling reduction becomes more apparent with body contours starting to emerge 4, 1
• Bruising largely resolved in most areas 1
• Compression garment may be reduced to daytime wear only (12-16 hours) depending on surgeon's protocol 2
• Light exercise may be permitted such as walking or stationary cycling, but avoid strenuous activity 3
• Numbness or altered sensation in treated areas is common and may persist for weeks to months 1, 2

Days 21-30 (One Month Mark)

• Approximately 50-60% of final results visible as major swelling subsides 4, 1
• Return to most normal activities including moderate exercise, though high-impact activities may still be restricted 2
• Compression garment typically discontinued or worn only during exercise 2
• Residual firmness or irregularities in treated areas are normal and will continue improving 1, 2

Months 2-3 (Final Contouring Phase)

• Continued gradual improvement in contour and skin retraction 4, 1
• Final results typically visible by 3-6 months as all residual swelling resolves and tissues fully settle 4, 1
• Some patients experience minor fat return (65% report some fat return, most commonly in the abdomen) though typically not to pre-procedure levels 1

Critical Management Points During Recovery

Maintain adequate hydration and protein intake to support healing; protein requirements of 60-80 g/day are recommended for surgical recovery 5

Watch for warning signs requiring immediate medical attention:

• Fever above 101°F (38.3°C) 2
• Increasing pain rather than improving pain 1, 2
• Excessive drainage, foul-smelling discharge, or signs of infection 2
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, or leg swelling (potential blood clot) 3

Avoid weight gain during recovery as 43% of liposuction patients report weight gain post-procedure (56% gaining 5-10 pounds within 6 months), which can compromise results 1

Do not expect immediate dramatic results - the treated areas will initially appear swollen and potentially larger than pre-procedure due to fluid retention 4, 1