Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: What to Expect Post-Op

When considering cosmetic plastic surgery, it’s important to understand what happens before and after the procedure.

Because many cosmetic plastic surgeries use IV sedation similar to that used in colonoscopies or dental office procedures, medical clearance may be required in advance. Depending on the patient’s health history and any preexisting conditions, medical clearance may also include a lab and potentially an EKG.

Patients also need to be transparent about medications they are taking—prescription, supplements, and over-the-counter—and habits such as smoking, alcohol, or drugs. Informing the physician about these can help avoid unnecessary complications during recovery because we can often employ preventive measures when we know what we’re dealing with.

Post-Op Instructions

During the preoperative appointment, the patient should receive postoperative instructions. These will be reviewed again with the patient and caregiver on the day of surgery and should be clearly understood before leaving the office post-surgery. There should also be a point of contact with the surgeon’s office—during and after business hours—for any questions.

The healing and recovery process is much easier and less stressful for everyone involved when there is a plan and help lined up in advance. For instance, with some procedures, there is a considerable amount of messy fluid drainage. For these, we recommend covering car seats and furniture with bed pads or even shower curtains. For the first 24 hours following surgery, the patient should also be accompanied by someone at all times.

Ultimately, patients need to listen to their bodies, know their limits, and understand the restrictions they were instructed to follow so they don’t overdo it during recovery.

Nutrition, Hydration, and Movement

Post-surgery recommendations include hydration along with nutrition considerations, such as higher protein intake and a low-pH diet of lean meats, vegetables, and fruits while avoiding high-fat, high-sugar, processed foods.

Protein is essential to wound healing; however, patients often are not hungry after surgery, so protein shakes/bars are encouraged to help them reach their recommended protein goal. Being inactive post-surgery can worsen healing for even the fittest patients.

We want patients to ambulate at least three times a day for 20 minutes each session, and we have a gym at our newer office with trainers available to help patients prepare for surgery through nutrition and exercise.

Other Considerations

Other important care considerations may involve family members. They include:

• Expect a low-grade fever and reach out to the plastic surgeon if the fever exceeds 101.5 degrees.
• In general, use ice for swelling (protecting the area with a towel) until the plastic surgeon gives the “all clear” to use heat packs or compresses.
• Take a warm shower within twenty-four to seventy-two hours, ideally using a removable shower head. No baths or swimming in a pool or ocean until cleared by your surgeon.
• Leave the wound dressing in place for at least twenty-four hours, then replace it with clean, dry gauze if there is significant drainage. Remove dressings before showering; don’t scrub the wound; pat the area dry, then replace the dressing.
• Sutures may absorb into tissues or need to be removed by the surgeon within a week or two. Occasional openings alongside an incision require additional washing, antibiotic cream, or more frequent redressing. The surgeon will provide proper care procedures.
• Elevation dramatically reduces swelling and discomfort, especially with extremities, and is crucial following a facelift.
• Compression is required for liposuction, skin excisions, tummy tuck, neck lift, and other procedures to control swelling and inflammation and improve comfort. Find the best and most comfortable option for you as long as it provides compression to the necessary surgical sites. ACE bandages tend to be a good choice because they adjust to individual body sizes and changes resulting from the inflammatory response.

Timeline for Healing

Ultimately, it’s going to take time to heal. There is a typical timeline for healing, but it depends on the patient and is not an exact science:

• Three weeks: Adequate wound strength
• Six weeks: Unrestricted activity
• Three to four months: Breast surgery has settled
• Nine to 12 months: Swelling resolves for liposuction
• One year: The earliest point at which scarring has improved
• Two years: Maximal neurogenic function returns

Tissue is dynamic; it changes with time, both through the healing process and the swelling and scarring. However, understanding the cosmetic plastic surgery process pre- and post-procedure can help deliver the best outcomes.