How to speed up recovery after plastic surgery
When preparing for a plastic surgery intervention, most patients want to know what to expect in terms of recovery after plastic surgery. The healing process is something very personal and different from one patient to the other, even if the same procedure was performed. As is the case with any other surgical intervention, complications can always occur and delay the healing process.
The plastic surgeon can give you a time estimate for your recovery period, but it’s important to understand that it can vary depending on your health condition, age, preexisting health conditions, and how committed the patient is to follow the doctor’s recommendations.
At the same time, we should mention that the particularities of the medical procedure also play an important role when it comes to recovery. Each intervention follows a specific surgical plan that can be associated with a shorter or longer healing time.
To speed up the recovery, patients are advised to follow the plastic surgeon’s indications before anything else. Here are some things you should consider if you want to have a quick and fast recovery period and avoid complications:
Follow the plastic surgeon’s indications
Some patients follow only the indications that they find important and ignore the others. A simple indication such as not taking baths after the surgery seems like a minor issue, but there is a very important reason why the doctor recommended it. At the same time, the plastic surgeon might ask you to avoid lifting heavy objects in the first few weeks post-op, or certain medication and natural supplements, and also smoking.
Following the plastic surgeon's recommendations can help you speed up the recovery and minimize the risk of developing post-op complications.
Go to post-operative consultations
You had your surgery, the recovery seems to be going just fine, so why the need to see the plastic surgeon again? Well, after plastic surgery, patients are advised to come back to post-op consultations regularly. Even if the wound is closed and the patient is fine, this doesn’t mean that post-operative care is unnecessary.
The post-op consultations are often scheduled a few days after the intervention, then after a week or two, after a month, three months, six months, and a year. These consultations allow the plastic surgeon to assess your recovery and determine if there is a need for specific treatment (such as the one for keloid scars, for example).
Infection prevention
Complications can occur after any type of surgical intervention, and infection is one of the most common of them. Preventing infections is one of the simplest yet crucial things to do to get a fast recovery after plastic surgery. And it can be as simple as washing your hands with an antibacterial soap each and every time you touch the incision. Also, make sure to change the bandages as per the doctor’s recommendations.
You’ll also want to avoid overstretching or lifting heavy objects or any other activity that can cause the incision to open, as this can significantly increase the risk of infection.
In some cases, the plastic surgeon might prescribe antibiotics to help you avoid an infection.
A healthy, balanced diet
Some patients lose appetite after a surgical intervention. Others are craving fast food or sweets. It is common for patients undergoing surgery to experience a certain level of nausea and constipation in the first few days post-op. Maintaining a proper level of hydration and adopting a healthy diet can help you speed up the recovery and considerably reduce the risk of developing complications.
It’s important to understand that if the body doesn’t have the necessary fuel, the recovery can be lengthy and difficult. The body needs nutrients to help it heal faster. This means that you should start with light meals after surgery. Chicken soup or vegetable broth are good options for the first day. Yogurt and vegetables rich in fibers can help you with constipation, and lean meats can give your body the necessary proteins.
Avoid carbonated beverages that can lead to bloating, as this can make things really uncomfortable, especially if you had plastic surgery at the level of the tummy.
Be careful when sneezing and coughing
Since we just mentioned procedures at the level of the tummy, it’s important to know that even something as simple as sneezing, laughing too hard, or coughing can have an impact on the surgical incision.
This is why the plastic surgeon will advise you to keep one hand firmly on the incision site when you sneeze or cough and make sure you do this as gently as possible.
Communication with the plastic surgeon
Patients should know that there are certain cases when they should reach out to their plastic surgeon or their GP as soon as possible. For example, in case excessive bleeding occurs from the incision site or if constipation persists, and if there are signs of infection.
The signs of infection to look for are high fever, chills, redness in the area, puss at the level of the incision site, among others.
Siegen scar cream and natural supplements to speed up the recovery
Bruising and swelling are some of the most common side effects of any surgical intervention. At the same time, the aspect of the scar is something that concerns all patients undergoing plastic surgery. To minimize the inflammation and, as a result, the bruising and swelling, the plastic surgeon might recommend pills such as Arnica Montana and Bromelain. To reduce the visibility of the post-op scars, the surgeon might advise you to use Silagen scar cream.
Siegen scar cream should only be used on the wound after the skin is closed to avoid the risk of developing an infection. The results are visible for some patients within the first month; however, it is recommended to use the scar cream for up to 3 months.
Final words
Part of the preparation for a plastic surgery intervention is understanding and accepting the fact that healing takes time. Some plastic surgery interventions require downtime of no more than a few hours, while the recovery can last up to two weeks or more for others. Depending on the complexity of the intervention, the health condition of the patient, and other factors, the healing process can take a shorter or longer time. To speed up the recovery after plastic surgery is important to follow the indications and avoid activities that can increase the risk of developing a complication.