Although we prescribe medication, many find that just Tylenol or Advil adequate for their comfort. You should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery and to help you out for a day or two if needed. Swelling evolves after surgery. Results can be quite remarkable even as you first get off of Dr. Bermant's operating table. Swelling however exists from the tumescent fluid injected and tissues operated.
Tissues evolve with the fluid being absorbed over the first several hours after surgery.
Further swelling decreases over the next several days. There is even more improvement normally over the first few weeks. However, it can take up to six months for the final changes from liposuction and scar evolution to be seen. To help reduce swelling, you will probably be instructed to wear an elastic pressure garment continuously for a week or two, and for a few weeks longer at night. In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal.