Can You Speed Up Your Plastic Surgery Recovery?
Plastic surgery’s recovery process is among the significant concerns individuals planning to get one have with the procedure. Everybody wants to know when they’ll return to normal functioning like work before entering the operation room. Although recovery varies with individuals, it takes 6 to 12 months to heal after completing cosmetic surgery. Read on for more information on healing from your plastic surgery faster.
How to Speed Up Your Plastic Surgery Recovery Process
Experienced surgeons like Dr. Joel Aronowitz insist that how fast you heal from your plastic surgery procedure depends on your body. However, there are some practices you can employ, like regular exercising and eating specific foods to help your body heal faster. The following tips will help speed up your recovery process effortlessly:
Follow the Surgeon’s Aftercare Guidelines
Google is a good and reliable information source, but it’s not advisable if you have health-related questions like plastic surgery procedures. The best approach is primarily relying on the aftercare instructions provided by your plastic surgeon to guarantee a smooth and safe recovery. The recovery process is specific as well, so a goldilocks mastectomy and reconstruction surgeon will provide different advice to a surgeon who has performed a facelift.
These aftercare guidelines will include everything you need for quick recovery, from medications to supplements you need. Note that the instructions are specific to the procedure you underwent and other personal health factors.
Prioritize Movement
Rest and sleep are crucial during recovery, but it doesn’t mean you get to sleep all day after your surgery. It would help to get some movement daily; even a light walk around the house will do wonders for your healing. Daily activity helps promote blood circulation and reduces swelling to help you heal.
Eat Healthy and Drink Water
You must eat a balanced diet and hydrate yourself to optimize your body’s natural healing process. Try to include a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins in your meals during the healing process. Some foods to avoid include processed products, sweets, salty foods, and sugary foods, often disrupting your body’s recovery.
Keep Your Incision Dry and Clean
The first 24 hours after your surgery are the most critical during recovery. The surgeon advises you to keep your incision clean and dry all through, since excess moisture weakens stitches and can leave your wounds open. It would also help to avoid non-prescribed creams, ointments, gels, or lotions for at least two weeks into recovery.
The lack of ventilation can also slow your recovery, especially with deep wounds. You can consider wearing loose clothes or allowing fresh air to the injury by removing your clothes for at least an hour daily.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Exposing open wounds to direct sunlight disrupts the healing process and puts you at risk of inflammation. It also leads to hyperpigmentation, so it’s important to wear sun-protecting clothing or sunscreen when outside.
Sunlight is not the only healing-disruptive element on the outside. You must also avoid exposing your incisions to smoke, dust, strong winds, and other irritants.
Steer Clear of Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco
Consuming alcohol and drugs during healing will slow recovery and expose you to unnecessary complications. Alcohol makes it more difficult to heal by suppressing your immune system, while its dehydrating effect often leads to bleeding.
Smoking tobacco limits your cells’ access to oxygen necessary to heal. It would also help to avoid recreational and prescription drugs as they’ll only increase your need for painkillers eventually.
You must take the healing process after plastic surgery seriously, as it significantly determines the procedure’s outcome. Ensure you attend all follow-up appointments with your doctor and ask the relevant questions. The above tips effectively reduce post-surgery risks, speed healing, and guarantee better and long-lasting results.
