Shorten Your Recovery Time with These Five Healing Strategies
If you’ve ever watched Dr. 90210 or Bridalplasty, you’ve seen what a cosmetic surgery patient looks like post-op. But, what these shows don’t delve into is the actual recovery process. Dr. Shapiro considers Arizona to be part of the “Breast belt”, where breast augmentations are much more common than in other parts of the country.
Factors that can significantly affect the speed of recovery include the type and number of procedures you undergo, your physical and emotional wellbeing prior to surgery, and how you care for yourself afterwards. So, how can you minimize your downtime after surgery? Here are five strategies to shorten the time it takes for you to start feeling and looking your best.
Prepare Before Surgery
As with any surgery, it’s important to be prepared. Eating well, getting adequate rest, avoiding alcohol, drinking lots of water, and stopping smoking will definitely enable your body to heal faster. Make sure to also talk to your surgeon about medication that you’re currently taking.
Plan Your Recovery
In most cases, you will need to begin recovery at a surgical recovery center where your post-operative needs can be met by specially-trained nurses. Once home, recovery times can range from a couple of days to several weeks depending on the surgery. Before you undergo any procedure, speak with your surgeon about what you can expect post-op. Then, keep these guidelines in mind to determine how to best manage your day-to-day activities of work, family, exercise, social plans, etc. afterwards.
Be Realistic
Almost all cosmetic surgery procedures result in some swelling and possible bruising. And, you won’t necessarily see the true results of the surgery until you have a chance to heal. So, don’t panic if you’re feeling a little less than beautiful. By staying calm and giving your body the necessary time to recover, you’ll help speed up the process. Of course, if you suspect that there might be a problem stemming from the surgery, by all means, contact your surgeon right away.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Advice
You will be given specific guidelines to follow after your surgery. Follow them! Whether you need to apply frozen peas, sleep in a chair, take prescribed medicine, or halt exercise for a certain length of time, taking your surgeon’s advice will greatly improve your chances to have a trouble-free recovery.
Stay Hydrated
Post-op is not the time to enjoy a double espresso or a couple of glasses of your favorite Chardonnay. Instead, you need lots of water to replenish the fluids lost during surgery and to get your digestive system back on track. Yes, both anesthesia and bed rest are notorious for triggering constipation. Try for at least eight glasses a day, and stick to light, easy to digest foods, as well.
With a little advanced planning and smart post-op care, you’ll be on your way to a fast, problem-free recovery!
