Liposuction Surgery Aftercare: What to Eat After Lipo
You may already know that eating healthy foods helps prevent illness. But did you know that it can also speed up recovery and reduce the risk of infection? After liposuction surgery, your diet substantially affects how quickly you recover. Inflammatory foods lead to pain and swelling, which can be tough on your recovery.
Let’s dive into the skinny on the best post-lipo bites to enjoy and what to avoid.
What Can I Eat After Liposuction Surgery?
During recovery after liposuction surgery, it’s crucial to fill up on wholesome foods and plenty of water. Your body needs nutritionally dense and well-rounded meals. Here are some things to incorporate into your diet to help your body heal quickly and smoothly:
1. Lean Protein
Lean protein is an excellent choice for post-lipo patients because it helps repair muscle tissue and promotes healing. It also contains iron, which prevents anemia. Low in fat, lean protein is ideal for people who’ve had liposuction surgery. Examples of lean protein include:
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Tofu
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Fish like sardines and salmon
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Nuts
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Dark leafy greens
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Legumes
2. Vitamin D and Magnesium
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that boosts cathelicidin production in the body. This immune system peptide is essential for fighting off infections. Magnesium is just as important as it combats inflammation. These nutrients are in delicious foods like:
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Dark chocolate
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Soy milk
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Swiss cheese
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Bananas
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Potatoes with skin
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Avocados
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Black beans
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Spinach
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Peanuts and cashews
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Fortified cereals
3. Digestion-Friendly Foods
Certain foods aid in digestion and help your body heal. Try to eat bland foods as much as possible after liposuction surgery:
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Brown rice
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Oatmeal
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Pureed veggies and fruits
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Skinless chicken
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are good for everyone, but they’re particularly necessary after surgery. They maintain gut function. This is vital because liposuction involves making small incisions in the skin and then suctioning out fat through those openings. If you have an infection or inflammation in your abdominal area, you might experience pain and swelling that can make it painful to eat or drink anything at all—including water!
High-quality probiotics are present in foods like:
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Miso
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Kimchi
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Yogurt
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Pickles
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Kombucha
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Pickles
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Tempeh
5. Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are low-calorie foods that you can consume without worrying about weight gain. They contain fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients that encourage healing after liposuction surgery.
We recommend adding plenty of dark leafy greens into your diet. Other great choices include broccoli, red onions, apples, and pineapples. These foods decrease swelling and keep inflammation down in the body.
How to Increase Water Intake During Recovery
Drinking enough water is a must during liposuction recovery. Water helps to flush out your body’s toxins, which can accumulate during liposuction surgery. If you struggle to drink large quantities of water, here are some tips to increase your intake:
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Drink a glass of water before you eat or drink anything else. This prevents overeating since your body will have its fill of fluids for the time being.
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Drink a glass of water before bedtime to rehydrate after a long day.
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Add fruit into your water to give it a subtle flavor—this does the trick for those who don't enjoy plain water.
What Foods Should I Avoid After Lipo?
Some foods, though satisfying, contribute to inflammation and make it harder for your body to heal. With that said, you’ll want to avoid eating foods with saturated fats, sugars, and simple carbs. Take a break from items like:
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Sugary cereals
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Fast food
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Sodas
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Baked delights
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Processed meats like bacon and hot dogs
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Refined grains like rice, white bread, and pasta
Another thing to keep in mind is that spicy food can irritate your stomach. Stay away from your favorite spicy dishes for the first couple of weeks. Allow your liver and immune system to focus on healing from surgery by abstaining from alcoholic drinks during this time, too.
Can I Smoke After Liposuction?
Smoking isn’t a healthy lifestyle choice regardless of whether you’ve just completed liposuction or not. But we advise our patients to stop smoking for at least two weeks prior to and two weeks after surgery. Smokers are more prone to post-op complications like infections, blood clots, thick scars, fat necrosis, and increased pain. These side effects can make the recovery much more brutal!
Why Choose Better Body MD for Liposuction Surgery?
Choosing the right surgeon with extensive experience in liposuction is imperative. Dr. Tajkarimi at Better Body MD is the leading provider of lipo in Northern Virginia and Greater Washington DC. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, he has performed thousands of procedures. You can rest assured that your procedure will go smoothly and bring stunning results.
Liposuction in Northern Virginia and Greater Washington DC
If you live in Northern Virginia and Greater Washington DC and are considering liposuction surgery, look no further than Better Body MD. Patients rave about Dr. Tajkarimi’s phenomenal patient care and unparalleled results. Call 703-687-3601 to schedule a consultation today. Get all your lipo questions answered and find out if the surgery is right for you.
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SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Schedule by phone at (703) 337-3353 or fill out the consultation form below
by submitting this form you agree to be contacted via phone/text/email.
Each of our patients is unique. This is why we customize skin tightening treatment plans to address specific concerns. With that said, the final cost can vary. Factors that determine the price include:
- Aesthetic goals and desired outcome
- Number of treatments needed
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