What do you do after a cosmetic surgery?

Most common questions and answers about cosmetic surgeries

• If I have fat removed through liposuction, will it reappear elsewhere?

Liposuction completely removes fat cells from a specific area of the body. However, if you gain weight, fat cells in other parts of your body will expand. This means areas that are not normally fat, such as your wrists, may gain weight.

• I thought silicone breast implants were in danger of leaking, so why are they still used?

These implants are no longer made of liquid silicone in a sac. If you cut them in half, they are gel-like (think Turkish Delight) and therefore cannot puncture, explode or leak into the body.

• Will I have to wear my hair over my ears to cover face-lift scars?

No. Most scars heal almost invisibly, but you could opt for keyhole surgery where the incision is made inside your ear.

• Which procedures are the riskiest?

Breast reduction carries a risk of nipple loss (they have to be removed and replaced so the body can reject them).

• What's the age limit for a face-lift or liposuction?

Think about a face-lift at 45 when your skin is still elastic. Once you reach your late 50s, your skin will have lost much of the elasticity that ensures a natural-looking lift. Surgeons are wary of performing liposuction on the over-50s as skin may sag once fat has been removed.

Tips to effectively recover from your plastic surgery:

Hydrate, Whether you’ve had a minor procedure or an all-out surgery, drinking six to eight glasses of water a day will help rejuvenate your skin from the inside out and flush any toxins from your system.

• Don’t Push Through The Pain

If you experience pain after the procedure, it is important to take the medicine prescribed by your physician. Many patients will attempt to be “strong” and push through the pain, but it is important to control pain by staying ahead of it and not letting it catch up to you. Blood pressure can increase as a result of pain, and in some cases this could lead to more bruising, which delays recovery time. Additionally, it is important to avoid over-the-counter medicines that could affect blood clotting for at least two weeks after your surgery, such as aspirin, Motrin, vitamin E, or herbal medicines.

• Skip the workout

Many cosmetic patients are anxious to return to their regular workout routines, however, it is important to do so in a safe manner that will not jeopardize the surgery results. For the first 48 hours, it is important to not be too active. To speed up recovery, it is important for the patient to avoid rigorous exercise for the first 8 weeks.

• No smoking

Avoidance of smoking is a given for any patients. We enerally advise smokers to cease smoking 8 weeks before an operation, and just because the surgery is over does not mean they are clear to light up again. Smoking significantly delays the healing process, and can lead to serious complications during recovery. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, making them smaller and decreasing the blood supply to the tissues. Blood clots are more common in people who smoke.

• Wear your compression garments

Surgery may require one to wear a compression garment; this varies based on the type of procedure, but can be required for up to 8 weeks with a tummy tuck or liposuction and 1-2 weeks for breast augmentation and breast lift. Compression garments help control swelling and bruising by compressing the tissues, which helps the body reabsorb accumulated edema fluid.

• Get moving

Get plenty of rest in the first day or two post-surgery; however don’t continuously lie around and do nothing. Even if you don’t feel like going out for a long walk, taking a walk around your house or going outside for some fresh air is much better than doing nothing. Moving helps the body heal, and may also reduce pain. It also helps reduce your odds of constipation, which is a common side effect of prescription pain medication. Follow us on our social networks and find out what you should do before and after plastic surgeries.