PostOpTrip

Recovery travel guide

Liposuction abroad: where to recover and what you can do

Liposuction usually means one night in hospital. The rules are about wearing the compression garment around the clock, walking every day, nothing strenuous for the first weeks and no baths for two weeks.

Liposuction recovery, day by day

Confirm with your surgeon. These are general activity limits from published aftercare guidance. Your clinic's written instructions always come first, and they may be stricter or looser for your procedure.

Compare cities for liposuction

CitySafe things to do on days 1 to 3Safe things on day 7WeatherClinics
IstanbulTürkiye0 to 1621Hot, sunny summers (often above 28°C in July and August) and cool, wet winters.Get quotes
TijuanaMexico0 to 913Mild and dry most of the year, around 20 to 27°C in summer.Get quotes
MedellínColombia0 to 1218Spring-like all year, usually around 17 to 28°C, at about 1,500 metres above sea level.Get quotes

Counts are activities from our city lists that fit the published activity limits on those days. More cities are coming.

Recovery timeline

  1. Day 1

    Most people stay in hospital overnight, and someone should stay with you for the first 24 hours. Fluid can leak from the small cuts for several days.

  2. Days 2 to 7

    Walking and general movement are fine. Showering usually starts 24 to 48 hours after surgery if your surgeon agrees. Keep the garment on except in the shower.

  3. Weeks 2 to 4

    Bruising and swelling usually improve after 10 to 14 days. Stitches come out after about a week unless they dissolve. Gentle exercise from around 3 to 4 weeks.

  4. Months 1 to 6

    The NHS says to avoid strenuous activity for 10 to 12 weeks and to check with your surgeon. It can take up to 6 months for the area to settle.

Typical stay: About a week: most people stay one night in hospital, and stitches usually come out after about a week.

Day-by-day guides

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Questions people ask

Sources

  1. Liposuction. NHS (UK). Checked 2 November 2026.
  2. Liposuction: what to expect at home. Kaiser Permanente. Checked 2 November 2026.
  3. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): long journeys. NHS (UK). Checked 2 November 2026.