Your plastic surgery recovery is essential
Cosmetic surgery can be one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. For many patients it may be their first ever operative procedure and it can be a daunting experience!
To ensure the best plastic surgery recovery, your post-operative care and treatment is just as important the surgical procedure itself. It really does pay to be a patient patient!
Being healthy, happy and comfortable should be the right of every patient. At The Plastic Surgery Group, we ensure that the advice given is up-to-date and personalised to meet the needs of each individual patient. Not everyone recovers in the same pace! Here, we’ve collected some of the more helpful recommendations:
Don’t strain yourself too much
It sounds obvious, but going for a 20km run or weightlifting championship is not recommend in the early post-operative recovery phase.
In the first two weeks after surgery, scars are at their weakest and can be widened or even dehisce if undue pressure is placed through them. It is vital to take the necessary precautions as advised by your surgeon.
It is important, however, to remain active. Walking gently around the house or the garden is encouraged to help get blood circulation flowing. This helps prevent the complications such as deep venous thrombosis.
Eat meals that are high in protein and vitamins
Eating a balanced diet high in proteins, vitamins and minerals are crucial to a speedy recovery. Fresh fruit and vegetables are essential to help increase the amount of fibre in the diet as some pain medication can be constipating.
Alcohol and smoking have a detrimental effect on wound healing and recovery. We recommend that patients refrain from smoking or vaping for at least four weeks before and four weeks after the surgery. This helps to ensure their fresh scars have the best of chance healing!
Take an excuse to chill
During the plastic surgery recovery period it is essential to allow time for the surgical sites to recover. This means regular rest periods are needed for tissue recovery and faster healing. Your body needs to spend its energy resources in the healing process and not activities such as Pilates, cross country or ambitious gardening! This may include caring for young children and pets! Having family and friends around to help during the early phase of post-operative recovery is very important. It must be factored in at the time of booking your surgery.