Do you suffer from swelling, skin irregularities, and lumps after undergoing Liposuction surgery and want to manage these problems? If yes, then you should consult your physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is one of the best options to flatten and smoothen out these isolated areas. Physiotherapy techniques are painless and non-invasive and help to maintain a healthy body so that the patient can enjoy the results of liposuction surgery. In this blog, we have discussed liposuction and how physiotherapy helps to maintain the results achieved after liposuction.
What is Liposuction?
Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess fat deposits from one or more specific areas of the body. For this procedure, a tube called a cannula is passed through the targeted areas, to suction fat out of the body. The vigorous motion of the cannula can damage the connective tissues when large amounts of fat are removed. Some common areas for liposuction include breasts, abdomen, buttocks, hips, thighs, and arms. Recovery can be painful and can take some time, and by giving time for proper healing, the patient can enjoy the results of this procedure. General activity can be resumed within 1-2 days, but special care needs to be taken while resuming exercise routines.
Physiotherapy Treatment
For best results, a well-trained and experienced physiotherapist should be consulted to create a personalized treatment plan and ensure that the patient gets the body that he/she has always desired.
Compression Garments:
Physiotherapists recommend bandages and compression garments to collapse the tunnels that are made with the tool used while suctioning out the fat. A compression garment helps to decrease the swelling, maintains pressure on the area, stops bleeding, and helps the skin lay flat. These garments also help prevent infection, therefore both the garment and the wounds should be kept clean. Loose-fitting clothing should be worn to avoid pressure on the surgical area.
Rest and Lightweight Exercises:
A comfortable environment, including a cozy mattress, pillows, and bedding can help rest and heal more effectively. Rest is recommended for 24 hours after liposuction, light exercise, such as short walks, gentle movements, and light physical activity one to two days after the procedure can improve blood circulation and speed up the healing process, but strenuous activities and exercises should be avoided. It is important to start moving at a gentle pace as soon as the patient can. Walking can help prevent blood clots from forming in the legs, which can be fatal.
Manually Massaging Skin:
Physiotherapy technique like lymphatic drainage massage (MLD), is often recommended to decrease recovery time and reduce post-surgical swelling and scarring. While using this technique the physiotherapist uses a sequence of massage strokes to stimulate the flow of fluids through the lymphatic system which helps relieve swelling and lessens the risk of infection and complications caused by liposuction. Another example of a physiotherapy technique that can be used after liposuction surgery is Myofascial release (MFR), it is a hands-on soft tissue technique that facilitates a stretch into the restricted fascia. It is performed below and above the scar area and helps eliminate the pain.
Weight Loss:
Weight loss is advised to reduce the risk of developing loose or uneven skin after liposuction, Weight should be kept stable once liposuction is performed, Exercises should be done 5- 6 days a week for at least 30 minutes.
Strengthening Exercises:
Resistance exercises can be done in the 2nd week after surgery. Strengthening exercises are done to tighten the muscles, allowing them to hold the skin in place of fat. exercise programs help the body heal and regain its ideal mobility. The patient should pay attention to the way the bodies react during and after exercise. If pain, discomfort, or drainage occurs due to resistance exercise, the physiotherapist should immediately be informed.
Aerobic Exercise
Light aerobic exercise, like walking, is recommended within two days of liposuction. Every person responds to surgery differently thus the person should listen to his/her body and consider the limitations when returning to exercise. Exercise routines should be returned to slowly with a lower intensity level initially. Mostly wait for 3 weeks post-opt to return to higher impact aerobic activities such as running and aerobics.
Cardiovascular Exercise:
Moderate-intensity cardiovascular exercise can help maintain fitness and also help lose weight. Minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise 4-5 days a week should be done. Exercises include using an elliptical machine, biking, walking, swimming, running, and rowing are excellent options.
Skin Tightening Exercises:
Skin tightening exercises like tummy tuck, arm lift, and thigh lift, can help tighten the skin. Individuals need to make positive lifestyle changes to maintain the changes achieved through liposuction. Doing regular exercises is the key to long-term positive results.
Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy generates heat and can smooth out lumps or uneven skin. Erchonia lasers target and eliminate fat in areas that are difficult to reduce with regular diet and exercise. Zerona laser is proven to stimulate the body at a cellular level and is the first and only low-level laser to be given FDA clearance for use before and during liposuction treatments. It is a painless treatment applied before liposuction to liquefy the fat, making it easier to remove during the surgery. In addition to improving surgery outcomes, it also helps to reduce post-operative pain and bruising and decreases the overall recovery time. Though not used in pregnant women, laser treatment is not recommended due to its effects on fetuses are not well understood.
Shockwave Therapy:
Shockwave therapy is used after liposuction. It is an easy, non-invasive, local therapy, without side effects, with short periods of application. Shock wave therapy delivers pulses of energy to the body and causes the fibrous cords to break down to smoothen the skin, and collagen and elastin are triggered to regenerate and strengthen the skin from within. Blood circulation and lymphatic flow in the treatment area are also improved.
Therapeutic Ultrasound:
Therapeutic Ultrasound can also be used to decrease inflammation in sore muscles, reduce swelling, and speed up the recovery process. It cleans up debris in an injured area which decreases the recovery time.
The patient should drink plenty of water at least 8 glasses of water daily to keep functioning. And also keep stress levels low to prevent weight gain.