Liposuction in Istanbul · Day 3 of 7
Day 3 after liposuction in Istanbul
Bruising and swelling are normal. A short outing to somewhere calm near your hotel is fine if you feel up to it.
Short answer
On day 3 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, Basilica Cistern.
Today's rules
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
Walking
Walk every day, a little more than the day before. Normal walking and general movement are fine.
Source: Kaiser Permanente · NHS
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
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
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
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
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
Bosphorus sightseeing cruise
Two hours on the water past palaces, mansions and both bridges. Pick a seat in the covered cabin or the shaded side of the deck.
Seated, shaded or covered, about 2 hours
Also fine today: Hagia Sophia · Nargile café in Tophane · Eminönü street-snack walk · Whirling dervish ceremony · Spice Bazaar · Pierre Loti cable car and tea garden · Istanbul Modern and the Karaköy waterfront · Public ferry from Eminönü to Kadıköy · Galata Tower · Pera Museum · Istanbul Archaeology Museums · Turkish cooking class
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