Tips for Healing After Cosmetic Surgery

After undergoing cosmetic surgery, most patients wish to speed up their healing process so that they can enjoy the changes as well as return to their daily habits and activities sooner.

But each cosmetic procedure for each patient is different, thus many variables could affect how long your recovery time will be after undergoing one or several surgical procedures. But on the bright side, it is possible for you to significantly impact your healing process.

Below is a look at tips that cosmetic surgery patients can follow after undergoing a surgical procedure to help speed up the recovery process.

Adhere to your surgeon’s recovery instructions

It’s possible you’ve heard and read different things about the healing process, but remember that only your doctor knows what’s right and best for you. Therefore, if you have any doubts, be sure to clarify things with him or her. Also, to help you with this process, you can speed up your recovery process by always following all the post-operative instructions given by your plastic surgeon.

Apply compression garments or ice packs when instructed to do so.

When you go through any facial surgery, including a nose job, eyelid lift or facelift, it’s important that you use an icepack to help minimize the swelling. Even when there are bandages covering the area operated on, you will need to ice it down every now and then.
Some procedures, like liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift or breast augmentation, may require that you have on a compression garment for a few weeks. These garments can help your body control bruising and swelling. Additionally, they will prevent wrinkling of your skin hence helping with body contouring and enhancing skin retraction. Also, the pressure from these compression garments can make scars flatter, softer, and less visible.

Have realistic expectations.

Remember that your healing process takes time, hence it is a good idea to be patient. Nearly all kinds of cosmetic surgery procedures come with bruising and swelling. This means the full effect of the results will not be visible immediately. But don’t panic, since stress could impede your body’s natural recovery time.
Depending on the procedure(s) you’ve chosen to get, the recovery time might vary from several days to several weeks. Be sure to plan for how the post-surgical downtime might affect your social schedule, family, and work responsibilities. Also, plan for a member of your family or even a friend to care for you during the initial 2 to 3 days after surgery. Although you might believe you will resume your daily routines straightaway, having someone to help you can allow you to focus on recovering and bring you peace of mind.

Skip the gym.

Although moving around is very crucial, doing strenuous exercises, like weightlifting or running, can be a blow to your recovery process. Most cosmetic patients get anxious to resume their regular workout routines. But, for you to speed up recovery times, it’s important that you avoid performing challenging exercises for a few weeks following your surgery.
Exercise elevates blood pressure, and this could increase bleeding, bruising, and inflammation. For patients who take on vigorous workouts immediately after their surgery might suffer serious complications. And this might include re-opening of incisions. With this in mind, it is advisable that you discuss with your surgeon prior to resuming any pre-surgery gym activity.

Take it Easy and Relax

Your healing process might be affected by stress. Consider this recovery time as a period for stress relief, hence making it address two aspects of your medical healing experience. It is important that your mind and body is free from anxiety so that your anti inflammation medicine and healing process can go smoothly. Some patients may also use medical grade CBD oil in Australia, USA and Canada, as well as other countries that it is legal, to aid with the anti-inflammation, stress and speed up recovery. Medical CBD is not psychoactive – not to be confused with a recreational substance.
Meditation, reading, yoga( not the vigorous moves), or listening to some relaxing music can help in lowering your stress levels. Also, some aromas like lavender can be soothing for you. In addition, scented candles or an aromatic bath might help you relax. You might also find it relaxing to take a walk in the park, but be sure to protect your wounds from harsh elements.

Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drugs

These will slow down your recovery process and lead to unnecessary complications. For instance, alcohol will suppress your immune system hence making the healing process more difficult. Since it causes a dehydrating effect, alcohol could lead to bleeding.
Avoid smoking as well as exposure to second-hand smoke. This is because tobacco smoke tends to limit the amount of oxygen that your body’s cells get. The cells of your body need oxygen to help heal.
Avoid prescription and recreational drugs. These include anabolic steroids that are used for muscle building as well as corticosteroids that help fight inflammation. The reason for this is because these could cause problems. In addition, some supplements and prescription drugs will increase the likelihood of bleeding. Steroids might affect how your incision heals and recreational drugs will increase how often you take pain medications.

Move around.

Typically, you will need lots of rest during the first 48 hours after your surgery; however, do not confuse this directive of relaxing as an instruction that you have to stay in your bed all day. Keep in mind that moving helps the body heal, and might also help lower the pain levels.
It is possible you might not feel like taking a five-mile walk but make sure that you get up from time to time to help keep the blood flowing. Something like walking around the house for some minutes, or taking a few minutes to do some gentle stretching movement can be helpful than doing nothing. And to help you remember, why not set a timer to prompt you every hour to move around.

Each Patient Needs Different Care

Remember that the healing process after undergoing plastic surgery will differ from one patient to the next. Equally important, the number and type of procedures you decide to undergo tends to differ from patient to patient.
Keep in mind that each plastic surgery healing process has both emotional and physical components. And just like any surgeon will recommend, it’s crucial that you avoid rushing the recovery process. This is because allowing the body to heal properly can lead to more rewarding results.