Plastic surgery options include liposuction, breast augmentation, facelifts, and eyelifts. After your procedure at Somerset Plastic Surgery, your surgeon will provide post-operation instructions for you to follow. This helps alleviate discomfort and prevent infection, helping you heal after the procedure. Here is more information about the recovery process for popular plastic surgery options:
Ice Packs and Medication
After you have undergone plastic surgery, use cold compresses or ice packs to help with swelling and bruises around the surgical site for the first several days after the surgery. These symptoms usually peak around three to four days post-surgery. Ice packs reduce swelling by constricting the blood vessels and reducing fluid buildup. Discuss with your surgeon the creams and supplements that can help reduce bruising, and consult with them before using any topical products.
As part of the aftercare information we provide, there will be instructions to take specific medications and antibiotics to reduce discomfort and inflammation. Take all medications as directed. You may be able to use ibuprofen and other over-the-counter pain relievers, depending on the type of procedure you undergo. Ask your surgeon to determine whether over-the-counter medications are safe for you to use.
Compression Garments
If you have undergone liposuction, a tummy tuck, or an arm lift procedure, you may need to wear compression garments during the recovery process. Your surgeon will provide these garments for you, and they will offer instructions on how to wear them. Compression garments apply pressure to the areas of operated tissue to help with the healing process. They:
- Reduce swelling by preventing subcutaneous fluid buildup
- Helps contour the area of the arm or abdomen
- Supports the surgical incision
Compression garments also help improve circulation. Different styles of garments are available depending on the procedure. Our surgeon will offer a timeline for wearing them, which can last several weeks.
Exercise and Diet
The recovery timeline for procedures will vary. Body procedures such as liposuction and arm lifts may require two weeks to several months of recovery time. One of our surgeons can provide you with an estimated timeline as part of your customized plan.
Prepare to spend the next several days resting after your procedure, whether you have undergone a body procedure or a facelift. Have groceries pre-bought or ask a friend or family member to assist with tasks around your house. Your post-operative instructions will include activity restrictions to follow during the healing process, helping your body conserve energy. You may need to avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks. For a body lift or liposuction, the recovery period typically lasts around four to six weeks. If you have undergone a breast augmentation or arm lift, avoid lifting heavy objects, stretching, or bending over. Lifting heavy objects too soon can strain the chest muscles and cause bruising.
Once permitted, engage in light exercise such as walking around your house or neighborhood. This promotes healthy blood circulation and prevents fluid buildup. A month after a liposuction procedure, you may be able to engage in light jogging. If you require bed rest after a body lift, small movements, such as moving your legs, also help with circulation.
Eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet and staying hydrated also promotes the healing process. Minerals and proteins help with tissue repair and regeneration. Your surgeon from Somerset Plastic Surgery may include diet recommendations in your post-op guidelines. Their advice may include increasing protein intake. Eating fresh vegetables and fruits can also help reduce inflammation.
Follow-Up Appointments
After surgery, there will be a series of follow-up appointments with your plastic surgeon. This allows us to check your healing progress and adjust your treatment as needed. The surgeon will change your dressings and inspect stitches for signs of inflammation, and they will remove the stitches when appropriate.
Intervals for appointments are dependent on the procedures and the progress of recovery. Patients undergoing breast reduction and eyelid surgery may require more frequent follow-up visits. The surgeon uses these visits to check the movement of the patient’s eyelids. Early checkups for facelifts allow the doctor to monitor swelling and nerve function. Follow-up appointments for rhinoplasty procedures typically include checking breathing and nasal structure, as well as removing nasal packing after several weeks. If you have undergone a facelift or breast reduction procedure, expect long-term follow-up visits. This allows the surgeon to check on tissue integration.
Learn More About Plastic Surgery Recovery
Other recovery tips include elevating your head with pillows after undergoing a facelift and engaging in healthy skincare to maintain the results of cosmetic surgery. An online gallery featuring before-and-after pictures is available on our website to give you an idea of what your results can look like. Somerset Plastic Surgery provides online patient forms for your convenience. To request an appointment with us or to learn more about our plastic surgery procedures, we invite you to complete our online form today.