Liposuction in Istanbul · Day 2 of 7

Day 2 after liposuction in Istanbul

Walk a little several times today. If your surgeon agrees, the first shower is usually now: take the garment off only for the shower and put it straight back on.

Short answer

On day 2 after liposuction in Istanbul:

  • Not today Exercise · Showers, baths and pools
  • With care Compression garment · Walking · Fluid from the cuts · Flying home

Good options today: Grand Bazaar, Bosphorus dinner cruise with show, Galata Tower.

Today's rules

With care

Compression garment

Wear the compression garment or bandages constantly for several weeks, taking them off only to shower. How long depends on the area treated, often 3 to 4 weeks or longer.

Source: NHS · Kaiser Permanente

With care

Walking

Walk every day, a little more than the day before. Normal walking and general movement are fine.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS

Not today

Exercise

Nothing strenuous in the first couple of weeks. Sources differ on when it is fine: Kaiser Permanente says strenuous exercise may be fine in 2 to 3 weeks, while the NHS suggests gentle exercise at 3 to 4 weeks and avoiding strenuous activity for 10 to 12 weeks. Ask your surgeon.

Source: NHS · Kaiser Permanente

Not today

Showers, baths and pools

Showering is usually fine 24 to 48 hours after surgery if your surgeon agrees. No bath for the first 2 weeks. The sources cited here give no date for pools, the sea, hot tubs or the hammam, so ask your surgeon.

Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS

With care

Fluid from the cuts

Fluid can drain from the small cuts for several days, bloody at first and then clear. Light gauze under the garment helps.

Source: Kaiser Permanente

With care

Flying home

The sources cited here give no fixed date. Stitches usually come out after about a week, so plan the flight after that check and with your surgeon's clearance.

Source: NHS · NHS

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.

4 things you can do today

  • Grand Bazaar

    A covered maze of 4,000 shops. Shaded, but shoulder to shoulder at peak times. Go early on a weekday.

    Gentle walking, indoors, about 2 hours

  • Bosphorus dinner cruise with show

    An evening of seated dinner, folk dance and city lights from the water. Drinks are optional; you can ask for soft drinks only.

    Seated, indoors, about 3 hours

  • Galata Tower

    The lift does the climb, but the queue stands outside and the viewing balcony is narrow and crowded.

    Gentle walking, some open-air walking, about 1.5 hours

  • Basilica Cistern

    The cool, dim underground cistern with the Medusa heads. Walkways get packed at midday; go at opening time.

    Gentle walking, indoors, about 1 hour

Also fine today: Hagia Sophia · Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Whirling dervish ceremony · Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden · Bosphorus sightseeing cruise · Istanbul Archaeology Museums · Eminönü street-snack walk · Spice Bazaar · Nargile café in Tophane · Turkish cooking class · Pera Museum

2 things to skip today

  • Turkish hammam

    Why not: It means steam, hot water or sauna heat.

    Not during the 7 days this guide covers. Ask your surgeon when it is safe.

  • Topkapı Palace

    Why not: Too much walking and effort for this stage.

    Usually fine from day 4.

Where to eat today

  • Esnaf lokantası lunch. Tradesmen's canteens serve soups, stews, rice and vegetable dishes from steam trays. Point at what you want. Let soup cool if you have had dental work.
  • Mantı in Kadıköy or Beşiktaş. Tiny dumplings under garlic yogurt and chilli butter. Ask for the butter on the side if you need it mild.
  • Milk puddings at a muhallebici. Sütlaç, kazandibi and tavuk göğsü: soft, cool and very Istanbul.

Put every day of this guide in your calendar, with your dates

Questions people ask