Many plastic surgery procedures today are not as invasive as they used to be. But make no mistake, plastic surgery is still surgery. Even a simple kind of plastic surgery such as eyelid surgery or liposuction requires recovery and downtime for every patient.
For a patient, following your plastic surgeon’s instructions is a critical part of your recovery. Possible side effects from your cosmetic surgery are most likely to happen in the first few days. That’s why a patient needs to do everything your doctor tells you.
Most plastic surgeons give their patients a packet of post-op instructions to follow carefully. Every patient should follow these instructions precisely to ensure the best recovery from your cosmetic surgery and reduce the chances of complications.
Some of the most common instructions that plastic surgeon’s give before and after plastic surgery include the following:
Have A Support System
When are patient has major plastic surgery, such as a tummy tuck surgery or labiaplasty surgery, you won’t be able to do your usual activities for a few weeks. And if you have small children, you will need a friend or relative to lend a hand with them after your cosmetic surgery.
Every patient should expect to need help doing things around the home for at least one or two weeks after your cosmetic surgery, so let your friends and family know about your upcoming plastic surgery. Then, be sure you have a support system ready before you have your plastic surgery procedure.
A patient may need people to help you dress, cook, clean, lift heavy objects, and care for children. The first two or three days after plastic surgery can be the most challenging, so have people you can rely on to help out.
Take Time Off Work
Many plastic surgeries, such as breast augmentation require you to rest for at least a week. So, you should plan to take time off work. If you go back to your routine too quickly, there could be complications; the last thing you want is to have an infection or revision surgery if you take on too much too fast.
Take The Medications Your Surgeon Prescribes
Depending on your surgery, plastic surgeons may prescribe medications to help with pain and swelling after surgery. It’s essential to take those medications as prescribed to ensure you don’t have complications after surgery. Also, if your doctor gives you antibiotics to avoid infections, it’s critical to take all of them according to your doctor’s instructions after your surgery.
This goes for every surgery. Some people might assume that because their surgery targets a smaller area as is the case with a neck lift which targets the neck, that they might not need to be as diligent with their meds as someone who underwent a surgery targeting the abdomen or buttocks, but this is untrue. Whether you had surgery on your neck, chin, nose, breasts, abdomen or buttocks, make sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions about medications.
After a few days post surgery, you may only need over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil.
Keep A Healthy Diet
If you have plastic surgery, you may need to take it easy for several days, so you may not be able to go to the store to get food. That’s why you should have plenty of healthy food around before your surgery.
Remember that eating a healthy diet full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats is essential to speeding your recovery and avoid complications.
If possible, have loved ones and friends make meals for you to eat healthy without exerting yourself.
Limit Physical Activity
One of the most frequent problems after plastic surgery is that patients engage in physical activity too soon. Don’t overexert yourself; your sutures and incisions usually need weeks to heal. This isn’t the time to run that triathlon!
After a few weeks, you may be able to return to your regular exercise routine, but always clear it with your doctor first.
Drink A Lot Of Water
Being well hydrated is vital for your recovery after surgery. Drinking a lot of water will replenish the fluids that were lost during your plastic surgery.
Stay Out Of The Sun
You should make sure to have limited exposure to the sun during your recovery from plastic surgery. After your surgery want to avoid any adverse effects from the sun to scar tissue or skin. So, wear sunblock and wear protective clothing to protect your body from damaging UV rays.
You may need to wear compression garments after your cosmetic surgery, so you also probably want to avoid the heat, so you aren’t sweating in the attire. And getting too much sun dehydrates you, which is also bad for your recovery after surgery
After your plastic surgery, you may see scarring, swelling, and bruising, depending on the procedure. Don’t let this get you down! If you follow what your surgeon tells you, all of this will fade over time. Then, after a few weeks, you should be able to see the final results of your procedure.
Remember that the length of recovery varies by the type of plastic surgery, but your surgeon is always the best source of advice about healing and getting back to your routine quickly.
Questions and Answers
What is body contouring?
Body contouring is also commonly known as body sculpting. Body contouring pertains to plastic surgery procedures aimed at enhancing skin and tissue appearance for a patient post significant weight loss. The duration of body contouring results varies from months to years based on the surgery and post-care. Periodic maintenance treatments may be necessary for optimal, long-lasting outcomes after body contouring. Body contouring isn’t intended for significant weight loss. Body contouring is ideal for those near their goal weight, leading a healthy lifestyle. Body contouring specifically targets stubborn fat resistant to exercise. Body contouring is a broad and all encompassing host of procedures to help a patient achieve their dream body. To get a better idea of what to expect with body contouring, ask your surgeon to see before and after photos. These will help you as a patient get a clear idea of what to expect.
How long will plastic surgery last?
Cosmetic surgery outcomes aren’t permanent for most actual patients. Though surgical procedures offer longer-lasting effects than non-surgical treatments, their duration typically ranges from a few years to over a decade. While a general range is possible to give, actual patients often have differing answers as to how long their results last.
How can I get a better idea of what to expect before and after surgery?
One of the best ways to get an idea as to what to expect before and after plastic surgery is through photos. Before and after photos are provided by plastic surgeons to help patients get an idea of what they can expect in terms of results after their surgery. Plastic surgeons are careful to only use photos from patients who have provided consent. This should say something about how happy patients are with their results after their plastic surgery. If a patient has provided consent to use their before and after photos to show other patients what to expect, it is fair to assume they are happy with their results.
Reading is one thing, seeing is another. With photos, a new patient is able to see with their own eyes the results they can expect after their surgical procedure. Photos give a level of detail that is hard to grasp with words alone. A quality gallery of before and after photos will show clear photos before and clear photos after their surgical procedure, both taken from the same angle so a patient can clearly see the transformation. Another important consideration with photos is what kind of patient is feature in the photos. Quality plastic surgeons will have photos of a wide variety of surgical patients for you to peruse.
Request A Plastic Surgery Procedure Consultation
Considering a New Jersey plastic surgery procedure? Dr. Smita. R. Ramanadham can help you obtain the results you want. In your consultation, Dr. Ramanadham will go over your options, goals, and more to determine if you’re a good candidate for a variety of plastic surgery procedures.
References
Cosmetic Procedures and Follow-Up Care. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-surgery-follow-up
Post-Op Care After Plastic Surgery. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/face-lift/about/pac-20394059