Timeline
Rest, walk, drink, take meds on schedule
- Pain, swelling, nausea and fatigue peak. Bloody-pink fluid leaking from incisions and lipo ports is common early on.
- Walk a few minutes every 1–2 waking hours — this is your best protection against blood clots.
- Breathe deeply and cough gently several times an hour (protects your lungs).
- Take antibiotics and pain medication exactly as prescribed; start a stool softener early.
- Have someone with you at all times.
First follow-up and the start of massage
- First post-op visit, often days 1–3.
- Lymphatic massage often starts in this window — if your surgeon approves.
- Drain output usually starts to fall. Keep logging it.
- Constipation and low mood are both common — see below.
Drains out, more mobility
- Drains usually come out once output is low enough (your surgeon sets the threshold).
- Swelling may shift and look uneven — normal, but report a new soft, sloshy bulge (possible seroma).
- Light desk work is possible for many patients. No lifting or exercise yet.
- Many surgeons approve switching to a stage 2 faja around now.
Building back up
- Swelling continues to drop; firmness or lumpiness may appear. Fibrosis, seroma or swelling?
- Gradual return to exercise when cleared — usually walking first, then light workouts.
- BBL patients: the strict no-sitting period is commonly about 6 weeks.
- Scar care often starts once incisions are fully closed.
Final results take time
- Most swelling resolves by 3 months; final contour and scar maturation can take 6–12 months.
- Don't judge results — or book revisions — too early.
Drains
Drains are thin tubes that carry fluid away from the surgical area into a bulb. Common after tummy tucks, mommy makeovers and some lipo and breast procedures.
- Empty the bulb when about half full, or as instructed. Squeeze it flat before re-capping to keep suction.
- Log the amount (mL) and color for each drain, with the time. Your surgeon uses this to decide when to remove them.
- Strip the tubing only if you were taught to.
- Secure the bulbs to clothing or a lanyard so they don't pull.
- Call your surgeon if output suddenly increases, turns bright red, smells bad, the drain falls out, or fluid leaks heavily around the tube.
A common lesson: ask ahead of time whether to take pain medication before your drain-removal appointment.
Fajas & foam boards
- Stage 1 faja: worn immediately after surgery, usually with openings for drains and the bathroom; softer compression.
- Stage 2: firmer and more contoured, usually after drains are out and swelling eases — often 2–4 weeks, but your surgeon decides.
- Foam boards and pads under the faja help even out pressure and reduce creasing. Faja stages, foams and boards explained
- Too tight isn't better. Numbness, tingling, skin color change, severe pain or deep creases that don't fade are reasons to loosen and call.
- A new loose spot with a soft, fluid-feeling bulge may be a seroma — call your surgical team rather than tightening the garment.
Lymphatic drainage massage
Gentle manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is widely used in Miami after lipo and BBL to move fluid and reduce swelling. What the evidence and providers agree on:
- Timing: commonly starts a few days to a week after surgery, but only with your surgeon's OK.
- How many: clinics often suggest a series (frequently 5–10+ sessions). This is a recommendation, not a medical standard.
- Who: a Florida-licensed massage therapist (check the DOH portal) with post-surgical training.
- It should not hurt badly. Aggressive "fibrosis breaking" on fresh tissue is a common complaint online.
- Postpone if you have a fever, open wound, signs of infection, a swollen painful calf, or rapidly increasing swelling.
Lymphatic massage providers in Miami →
Daily care
Sitting & sleeping
- BBL: avoid direct pressure on the buttocks — sleep on your stomach or side, use a BBL pillow under your thighs if you must sit.
- Tummy tuck: sleep slightly bent at the waist with knees raised; walk hunched at first.
- Breast: sleep on your back, elevated.
Showering
Usually allowed after 24–48 hours unless told otherwise. No baths, pools or hot tubs until incisions are fully healed.
Eating
Protein and fluids help healing. Limit salt to reduce swelling. Alcohol doesn't mix with pain medication.
Emotional recovery
Feeling low, regretful or anxious in the first two weeks ("post-op blues") is very common and usually passes as swelling goes down. Pain medication, poor sleep and seeing yourself swollen all contribute. If you feel hopeless or have thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time.