You have taken the steps necessary to reach your personal body goals. You did your research, selected your surgeon, and you are now preparing for your upcoming procedure. Here’s a chance to take the time and get more of the information you may need about what comes next. What you do or attempt to do while you are healing can have a huge affect on how well your overall procedure goes. You have already invested the time and money into your procedure, so why not do your best to make sure you get the results you want?
We are here to help with 4 common procedures and the best ways to heal from them properly.
Breasts
For any breast procedure, the chest area may feel tender and swollen right after so be sure you are gentle when attempting to lie and sit down. After you have had a friend or family member drive you home, you are ready to begin your recovery. Once home, ask for help if you need to reach for, or pick up something right away. Drink water and halt physical activity for about 4-6 weeks. You may need to wear extra support bras and loosely fitted clothes for maximum comfort while you rest. Dressings should be fully removed after about 2 weeks, and you should be able to expect a full recovery in about 6-8 weeks.
Nose
While your nose is healing, be careful to keep your nasal plaster in tact for the entirety of the healing process. This should be about 2 weeks. Stock up on softer foods like soup, bananas, and yogurt as you will experience some discomfort when eating and drinking. If you have a friend available for assistance, see if they can grab you a smoothie loaded with fresh fruits and veggies, and ask for a spoon to go with it. Stay away from physical activity for about 6 weeks as your nose will be sensitive and accompanied by some fairly visible bruising making it sore to the touch. You can then expect a full recovery anywhere from 6-8 weeks for a rhinoplasty, and 8-12 weeks for a rhinoplasty with a graft.
Body
For a full body lift, you may not feel completely up to the task of going about your normal life for about 12-16 weeks. But before you begin, you might need to buy a few clothing items to help support your body while it is still healing. You may need a hand in replacing your surgical drains so choose someone you trust to help you with this portion of your healing. Sleeping will be a new challenge as well but it is possible with the right position and special pillow. Ask your surgeon about this to see what they think might be best for you. For all tummy and body procedures, refrain from exercising for about 6-12 weeks.
Liposuction
Recovery time for liposuction depends largely on how much work you have had done. Keep your wrappings or bandages on for about 2 weeks and wear the required support garments for anywhere between 4-6 weeks. Take a break from the gym and other workout methods for 6 weeks and give your body time to recuperate and relax. Again, depending on how much liposuction you are having, a full recovery can be expected in 2-8 weeks. Keep hydrated and make sure your sleeping situation stays clean and dry.
Overall
Remember that recovery time is different from person-to-person and always ask your trusted surgeon if you have any questions or concerns. Keep up with any necessary follow ups, hydrate, and shower carefully to avoid any infections or complications. When you choose someone like triple board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Michael Eisemann, you should feel open to asking questions and feeling completely comfortable in knowing that you will love the new you.
