Plastic surgery is a procedure where a plastic surgeon repairs or reconstructs parts of your face or body. Various types of plastic surgery involve the surgeon transferring tissue from one area of your body to the next. Cosmetic surgery is meant to improve your appearance. On the other hand, reconstructive plastic surgery involves surgical restoration or repair of a lost, injured or defective body part.
Regardless of the type of surgery you have done, you could be facing an extensive recovery process. It’s important you have a good support system and plan in place, and remember this is a healing process, so it will take some time and patience.
To help provide you with a better understanding of the post-surgery recovery process, below are 10 tips for a healthy recovery.
Tips for Post-Surgery Recovery
If you follow these tips and rely on a friend or loved one for your post-surgery care, you could recover and resume your regular activities faster.
1. Have a Support System in Place
You’ll not only require help after your surgery, but you’ll also require someone to bring you to and from your surgery since you won’t be able to drive. Plus, depending on your procedure, you’ll likely be out of commission for days or weeks following your procedure.
Let your friends and family know about your upcoming procedure and ensure you have a support system ready with people around you to help with the:
- Cleaning
- Cooking
- Performing day-to-day tasks
You might be limited in the types of tasks and activities you can perform during your period of recovery. The first few days after your procedure will be the hardest since you’ll no doubt be experiencing some uncomfortable soreness. So, you’ll want someone around to help take care of you.
2. Learn What to Expect With Your Recovery
Some minor surgeries only take a few days to recover from, while other (more intense) can take weeks or months. It’s essential you talk with your plastic surgeon before your surgery to learn what to expect during your recovery. It will probably affect many other areas of your life like your social life or work.
3. Follow Your Surgeon’s Post-Surgery Recovery Instructions
It’s essential you follow the exact recovery instructions your doctor provides you, which could include:
- Putting ice on the affected area
- Medicine used for controlling swelling and pain
- Avoiding direct sunlight exposure during your recovery period
- Elevating the affected area to reduce swelling
- Using tubes or drains effectively, which the surgeon may insert to help drain extra fluid in your initial healing phase
- Keeping all follow-up appointments with your doctor
4. Avoid Sun Exposure
For the first several days following your surgery, you should avoid direct sunlight. Use sunscreen if you go out, that blocks alpha and beta rays. Try sunscreen with a 30 or 40 SPF; anything higher could block your pores.
5. Hydrate
Whether you just had a minor or more intense surgery, you will still want to stay hydrated. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day to flush toxins out of your body and rejuvenate your skin.
6. Schedule Some Time Off of Work
It’s likely you’ll require at least a week off from work following your surgery. So, you should plan your surgery around your paid vacation days.
7. Eat a Healthy Diet
Consume a high-calorie, nutritious diet that will help nourish your body back to health quicker. Ask family or friends to help prepare your meals in advance so you’ll have them ready post-surgery and can simply warm them up without extensive cooking.
8. Talk With Your Doctor About Medicine Use
It’s important you let the doctor know if you’re taking any medications or supplements on a regular basis. Some medicines, such as aspirin or blood thinners, can be detrimental to your healing process and could increase swelling and bleeding. You should also beware of some natural supplements and remedies that could be of concern.
- Disclose all medications to your doctor so they can evaluate the safety of them and ensure nothing will worsen bleeding or conflict with wound healing.
- Your doctor will inform you of which medicines you need to stop before your procedure, when you should stop them and when you can restart them. There may also be medicines you can continue taking throughout your surgery process.
9. Stay Occupied and Relax
When recovering from surgery, it’s essential you relax and limit activity. Allow the healing process to take place. Recovery could take longer if you try and rush the process. Keep yourself occupied. Download some books on your Kindle or go to the library and check some out. Watch movies on Hulu or Netflix. Taking it easy will help you recover better and maybe even quicker.
10. Be Patient
It takes time to heal. Swelling won’t go away right away. Scarring will be pink for a while as they heal, and it may take weeks or months for you to see your final results. Patience is key here.
Set Up an Appointment for a Consultation Today
Contact our office at 415-915-9000 today to set up your consultation with Dr. David Sieber and/or to learn about the cosmetic procedures he performs. Alternatively, you can go online here to set up your appointment.
