Your recovery,
step by step.
Practical care instructions for each stage. Select a step to find what you need.
Step 1 of 5 · First 48 hours
Rest. Move gently.
Drainage & medication
Early red-tinged drainage from liposuction entry sites is expected. Replace pads when wet. Take medicines exactly as prescribed and complete your antibiotic course.
Gentle movement
Take light walks while awake, avoid prolonged inactivity and hydrate regularly. Do not drive while taking medication that affects alertness.
Compression
Wear your garment as fitted. Heart’s standard liposuction plan uses continuous compression for the first 48 hours, removing it for the Day 2 shower.
Your first shower.
Have help nearby
Have assistance for your first two showers. After removing the garment, lie down for 15–20 minutes before showering. If faint or dizzy, lie down and ask for help.
Keep it gentle
Use gentle soap and follow your incision-care plan. Shower daily afterward for about two weeks. Avoid baths and swimming until incisions are closed and your team clears you.
Replace compression
Put your garment and any foam back on as demonstrated. Wash garments on delicate and dry on low heat.
Care for healing areas.
Compression & follow-up
The standard body-compression plan is two weeks, except for showers. Chin compression is continuous for 48 hours, then as much as possible, including sleep, through Day 14. Arrange your one-week virtual check-in.
Massage
Begin only as directed. After skin tightening such as Renuvion, wait at least five days. Without it, your team may approve gentle massage earlier. Avoid deep pressure and unapproved rollers or massage guns. Learn about recovery massage and book through the patient portal.
Protect transferred fat
Do not massage fat-transfer areas for at least two months and until cleared. Avoid direct pressure on the breasts for four weeks after breast fat transfer. Ask Heart to demonstrate safe BBL sleeping and pillow positioning.
Build back gradually.
Exercise
Your team may clear brisk walking after one week, light weights and cardio after three weeks, and fuller exercise around four weeks. Avoid high-intensity exercise for four weeks after fat transfer. Timing requires individual clearance.
Sitting & clothing
Use your BBL pillow for three weeks, then confirm your return to regular sitting. Avoid tight bands or clothing that press into healing areas; ask when to resume them.
Work & driving
Return to work depends on treatment, comfort and job demands. Resume driving only when cleared, fully alert and off impairing medication.
Give healing time.
Skin & scars
Avoid direct sun on incisions for three months. Use sunscreen on healed incision sites for the first year. Begin silicone scar care only once incisions are closed and your team approves.
Restrictions
Do not apply heat or ice to treated areas. Avoid nicotine for three months and confirm alcohol and smoking restrictions with Heart. Avoid saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms and cryotherapy for two months, and laser treatments or waist trainers for three months, unless advised otherwise.
Progress
Swelling and firmness can take months to settle. Attend follow-ups and report new or worsening symptoms. See What’s Normal for expected changes and when to seek help.
These guides cover awake liposuction and fat transfer. Surgical skin removal and other procedures may need different care. Your Heart Team’s personalized instructions take priority.
Questions about recovery?
Text Dr. Spivak at 310-862-0123 or email ryan@bodybyheart.com. Contact Heart to arrange your one-week virtual follow-up.
When to get help.
Contact Heart promptly for fever over 101.4°F, spreading redness or warmth, pus, increasing severe pain, heavy bleeding, drainage beyond seven days, or a garment causing pain or circulation changes. Report persistent vomiting or dizziness promptly.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, loss of consciousness or another emergency. Do not wait for a text reply.
