Length of surgery:
Depending on the extent of the procedure, surgery usually takes between two to three hours. Most patients require at least one night in the hospital.
Recovery and post-op care:
A potential risk in some patients is fluid accumulation, so to prevent this your surgeon may leave a small, thin drain tubes under the skin for a few days to drain excess fluid that may collect. Dressings and bandages will likely be applied to your incisions after the surgery to protect them, and it is important the incisions are not subject to excessive force or motion during your time of healing. These are all things your surgeon will discuss with you post-surgery, and they will give you specific instructions.
After your procedure you will also likely be given compression garments to wear for at least one month. After the initial two days you are likely to be able to remove the garments for showering.
After two to three weeks, you can resume normal, daily activity. Strenuous activity, such as lifting and exercise, must wait six to eight weeks.
After two to three months, scarring will have healed and faded, and will likely continue to fade more within the next few months. At this point you can begin to expose your legs to the sun, as long as you are wearing sunscreen and do not spend too long in the sun. Sun exposure before this time can impact the scar healing process.
Pain and discomfort can be managed with oral medications and you will also be prescribed antibiotics to prevent any infection.
Length of stay:
Most surgeons recommend spending 7-10 days, as you will have regular check-ups throughout your holiday. To get the most out of your recovery time we suggest you partake in gentle exercise, yoga classes and treat yourself to some pampering. If you are feeling up to it, there is plenty to see and do in Phuket, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.
