Expected recovery is between one to two weeks. It is important to begin walking the day after surgery to prevent blood clots from forming in the deep veins of the leg. You can resume light exercise after two weeks and more vigorous exercise after six weeks.
Some bruising is normal after surgery. This usually goes away in the first few weeks. Your incisions will be noticeable immediately following surgery but they will gradually fade and flatten for up to a year after surgery. You will also have some puckering around the incision after surgery. This will smooth out over a month or two.
In your initial consultation, Dr. Rochlin will evaluate your health, determine where your fat deposits lie, and carefully assess your skin tone. She will fashion a treatment plan best suits your needs. If you are a smoker, you will need to quit for a minimum of 4-6 weeks before surgery to minimize the risk of complications. Smokers are much more prone to delayed healing and wound breakdown.