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Ask Dr. Elliott: Questions About Plastic Surgery Recovery

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Dr. Franklyn ElliottThe post-surgery recovery period is unavoidable following cosmetic surgery, but that doesn’t mean that it will necessarily be daunting. I have spoken to many patients through the years who went into their plastic surgery consultation very concerned about the recovery phase, only to be shocked at how simple and straightforward it turned out to be. To help reassure my future patients and anyone who currently shares this concern, I wanted to answer a few common questions about recovery after plastic surgery.

Question #1: Is there a difference in recovery time for cosmetic procedures vs reconstructive ones?

While reconstructive surgery procedures like breast reconstruction surgery may seem more invasive on the surface, the recovery period following surgery isn’t so different than it would be following a cosmetic breast procedure. The exact timeframe of the recovery period will vary depending on each patient and the specific details of their procedure, but this is something we will discuss at length during the pre-surgery consultation appointment.

Question #2: When can I exercise again following my tummy tuck surgery?

It’s important to be patient and follow your plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions in order to allow your body to properly heal following a cosmetic procedure like a tummy tuck. Generally, I advise patients to wait roughly 4 weeks before resuming basic cardio aerobic activity that does not require any impact. It can be 6 weeks or more before more strenuous activity, such as weight lifting, jogging, and certain sports, or exercises that stress the treatment area like crunches or sit-ups, can resume.

Question #3: How long will my breasts be swollen following breast augmentation surgery?

Swelling is a natural part of the plastic surgery recovery period. Thankfully, this is a temporary side effect. This swelling will begin to subside about a week after your procedure and continue to decrease over the next 4-8 weeks. It’s important for breast augmentation patients to remain patient after surgery and understand that it will take a little time for the final results to emerge. However, in my personal experience, most patients say the wait is absolutely worth it.

Regardless of the specific procedure (or procedures), you are interested in pursuing, the key to a smooth and successful surgery and recovery is working with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, videos, and much more.

Pre-Surgery Tips to Consider for Cosmetic Surgery Patients

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There is a common misconception that cosmetic surgery is something that patients can take lightly. While it’s true that plastic surgery is safer than ever, cosmetic surgery is still surgery and should be taken quite seriously. It’s important for patients to think long and hard before any cosmetic procedure. I always instruct my prospective patients to take their time and not try to rush the process, regardless of how eager they are to improve an aspect of their appearance. To help patients have the best-possible plastic surgery experience, I have put together a short list of tips for prospective cosmetic surgery patients to consider.

cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery recovery, mommy makeover, facelift, non-surgical cosmetic treatmentsMake the Most of Your Consultation

The pre-surgery consultation is a great opportunity to get better acquainted with the specifics of a cosmetic procedure as well as the plastic surgeon who will be performing it. Being prepared by doing research before the consultation can go a long way towards finding the right cosmetic surgery path for your needs. I instruct patients to write out a list of any specific questions or curiosities they may have about their surgery and not to be afraid to ask. If you are looking to treat more than one area of your body, ask about the possibility of a combination procedure like a mommy makeover.

Be Aware of Potential Recovery Time

Recovery is an essential and unavoidable part of undergoing any surgery. The amount of downtime required after cosmetic surgery may vary depending on the procedure performed as well as each patient’s medical history and ability to heal. Since downtime for recovery can affect a person’s ability to work, drive a car, or perform normal everyday tasks like household duties for a time, it’s important to be prepared. Speak with your surgeon about how much recovery time you can expect after surgery and then make the necessary arrangements at work and at home to help make your recovery as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Ask About Non-Surgical Alternatives

Patients should be aware of any potential non-surgical treatments that may be able to help them reach their aesthetic goals without the need for surgery. In many cases, my patients still end up choosing cosmetic surgery, but it never hurts to thoroughly discuss all the available options. For instance, non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatments like Botox® or facial fillers can often help patients who thought they would need facelift surgery to refresh their look.

Knowledge is power in the world of cosmetic surgery. That’s why I try to provide all of my patients with the in-depth information they need to make a fully informed decision about their cosmetic surgery. I make it a priority during all plastic surgery consultations to fully understand my patient’s aesthetic goals in order to best help them achieve the improved appearance they desire. For more information or to schedule your consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, at Atlanta Plastic Surgery. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional cosmetic surgery tips, videos, news, and more.

What You Can Expect During Cosmetic Breast Surgery Recovery

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The recovery period is an essential component of any cosmetic surgery procedure. Allowing the body the time and care it needs to heal properly after surgery is essential for building your strength back up and achieving the best-possible results from a cosmetic procedure. For women who are considering cosmetic breast surgery like breast augmentation, a breast lift, or breast reduction surgery, recovery is a major point of emphasis during the pre-surgery consultation period. So, to help ease the minds of prospective patients, I wanted to explain what can be expected during recovery from cosmetic breast surgery.

Although the specifics of a patient’s recovery will depend on factors that are unique to them like what procedure they underwent, their anatomy, medical history, and more, some things can be counted on. Regardless of which cosmetic breast procedure that a woman undergoes, it’s normal to experience some soreness and swelling after surgery. Swelling can persist for weeks after the surgery has taken place, making it difficult to see the final results immediately after the procedure, so it’s important to stay patient. For many patients, 2-3 weeks of recovery time will be required before returning to work or other normal daily activities. It can take more time to be cleared for strenuous physical exercise, but this is something we will discuss during a breast surgery consultation.

Check out the video below where I discuss in-detail what women can expect during the recovery process after a cosmetic breast surgery:

In order to experience the smoothest-possible recovery following cosmetic surgery, it’s important to follow your board-certified plastic surgeon’s instructions closely and come back for follow-up appointments in the weeks following your procedure to make sure everything is going as planned. To learn more about cosmetic breast surgery or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter for additional videos, tips, news, and more.

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