Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Recovery

There is so much to do to prepare for plastic surgery itself that many patients forget that they also need to prepare for plastic surgery recovery. This article provides some of the things you should anticipate in advance of your surgery.

 

 

For a procedure that involves reclining on an operating table, there is certainly a lot of travelling involved. If you are having general anesthesia, remember that you must have someone drive you home. This can be a loved one or friend, or even a taxi. The surgical staff will make sure that you are not driving yourself home. Surgeries have been cancelled because of a lack of transportation so make sure you have yours arranged in advance.

 

Just as there are one or more doctor’s appointments prior to your plastic surgery, there may be several follow-up appointments as well. While you may have been able to drive before the surgery, you may not feel up to it during the plastic surgery recovery phase. Ideally you should have someone that can shuttle you to your follow-up appointments, at least the one that occurs 24 to 48 hours after the procedure.

 

 

Recovery from plastic surgery is primarily a time to allow you body to heal. Therefore, you will need to provide your body with everything that it needs to heal quickly, properly, and with the least amount of pain. Make sure that you have plenty of ice, preferably crushed, to assemble cold compresses. Plastic surgery involves swelling at times and you may need to apply ice intermittently. Even if you have an ice maker, it may be reasonable to buy a bag of ice and store it prior to the day of the surgery.

 

 

Make sure you have plenty of gauze and other dressings for your wound. If you are responsible for changing your dressings, make sure that the surgeon or nurse (even better) teaches you precisely what to do. Can you bathe? Can you shower? How soon after the procedure can you do these things? Make sure you know all of the answers to these questions. Your activities will be limited after the procedure. Follow these recommendations! You do not want to put a stress on the surgical wounds or dramatically raise blood pressure in these areas.

 

 

You can think of plastic surgery recovery as being ill—they both share several features. Both plastic surgery recovery and the flu, for example, are accompanied by aches and pains and discomfort when you move. You should have all of the things to fulfill your basic needs at your immediate disposal. Make sure you have plenty of groceries in house before the procedure. If you can, prepare healthy, nutritious meals and freeze them for use during plastic surgery recovery. As you heal you want to give your body plenty of vitamins and nutrients so that it can rebuild tissues and skin. Unhealthy eating can lead to improper healing. Make sure that you do not sacrifice health for convenience. Finally, make sure you have your medications and prescriptions filled and at your house before the day of the surgery. No one wants to stand in a pharmacy wrapped in bandages and groggy from anesthesia!