After the Procedure

After the procedure is finished, the patient is brought into a postoperative area to recover (some offices may use the same surgical area as a postoperative area), and dressings are applied. These dressings may consist of gauze pads, tape, a special absorbent draping, or even a diaper. Lastly, a specialized garment is fit to the patient and is worn over the next month or so. For chin liposuctions, the garment is worn for 3 days. This helps the area to be firmly bound down, but not so firmly that blood cannot circulate normally. There are many different types of garments, and the surgeon may send the patient to a medical supply house to pick them up prior to the surgery. The author favors the HK garments and uses two garments on top of each other (one smaller than the other) in order to keep the area comfortable but tight.
 
Usually, the patient will be observed for at least an hour or more and then discharged with a friend or family member to be observed for the rest of the day and evening. Although many patients have asked to go home alone, it is quite possible to have minor issues that arise and, for that reason, good observation for the next 12-24 hours is recommended. Pain medication need varies by procedure type. Patients who undergo the tumescent procedure usually only require Extra Strength Tylenol, but oral narcotics are often necessary for patients who undergo the non-tumescent procedure. 
 
The most common time for possible dizziness after the procedure is the first time the patient uses the restroom or when the garments are removed for the first time. For this reason, it is always a good idea to have a friend or family member available, or within calling distance, when doing these activities.