Menu

plastic surgery recovery

Tips to Help You Recover After Cosmetic Breast Surgery

, , , , , , ,

In many cases when speaking with prospective cosmetic surgery patients at consultations, many of them are actually more nervous about their recovery period after surgery than about the procedure itself. For women undergoing a cosmetic breast surgery like breast augmentation, breast lift, or breast reduction, post-surgery recovery is very important. Not only is a smooth recovery crucial to rebuilding your strength after surgery, the recovery period can also partially determine the long-term aesthetic results of your procedure.

After your cosmetic breast procedure, it’s normal to experience some discomfort and activity restrictions. When patients ask me what they can expect from their recovery period, the answer is not so clear cut. Every patient is different, and your post-surgical recovery may depend on several factors including your anatomy, the specifics of your procedure, your medical history, and more. However, the following tips should be applicable to any patient trying to recover smoothly following a cosmetic breast procedure:

  • Plan for assistance including rides to and from your surgery and post-surgical appointments.
  • Make sure to have help available for necessary daily tasks like driving, shopping, childcare, etc.
  • Manage your pain responsibly and take available pain medication when you need it.
  • Allowing yourself to be in pain after surgery can raise your blood pressure and increase your risk for complications while recovering.
  • During your first week of recovery, avoid bending over, heavy lifting, or performing any strenuous activities that can put pressure on your chest area.
  • Closely follow your board-certified plastic surgeon’s post-surgery instructions for recovery.
  • Make sure to attend all follow-up appointments to confirm that you are recovering smoothly.

Check out the video below where I discuss what patients can typically expect during their recovery from cosmetic breast surgery:

In my personal experience, many patients find that their recovery is actually much quicker and easier than they had initially anticipated. The recovery period after cosmetic surgery may not be anyone’s idea of fun, but it is critical for any patient trying to achieve the very best results from their surgery. To learn more about cosmetic surgery or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for even more videos, tips, news, and more.

Ask Dr. Elliott: When Can I Get Back to My Workout After Plastic Surgery?

, , , , , ,

One of the most important elements of having a successful plastic surgery is planning. The more you know about what to expect at the various stages of your surgical process, the more steps you can take to prepare and the more likely you are to see everything go smoothly. One aspect to consider during your planning stage is when you’ll be able to exercise again. While physical activity is, of course, one of the best things you can do for your health, heading back to the gym too soon can have dangerous consequences. While every patient’s experience is unique and based on a number of factors, here’s an overview of what you can expect after some of my most common procedures.

Ask Dr. Elliott When Can I Get Back to My Workout After Plastic SurgeryBlepharoplasty – After eyelid surgery, designed to reduce signs of aging around the eyes like under-eye bags and sagging “hooded” upper eyelids, most patients can return to regular exercise in 2-3 weeks.

Facelift – While too much exertion (and anything else that makes your face flush) too soon can intensify your swelling, six weeks after your surgery you should be able to get back into your normal workout.

Rhinoplasty – Some nose reshaping surgeries are more extensive than others, but most patients can resume their normal exercise routine within three weeks.

Chin Augmentation – After patients have undergone chin surgery to enhance their facial structure, they are typically back to full-strength exercises four to six weeks post-surgery.

Breast Lift – Lower-impact workouts can often be resumed around two weeks after a breast lift, but it could take a month or more before you’re ready for higher-impact activities like running.

Breast Augmentation – As with a breast lift, the impact of the exercise on the breasts is crucial, but most breast augmentation patients can walk for exercise after one to two weeks and resume most other activities after four to six weeks.

Breast Reduction – While mild activity like walking can help your healing process, I typically advise most patients to limit their more strenuous exercise for around a month.

Male Breast Reduction – Addressing gynecomastia with surgery typically requires patients to wait two to three weeks before resuming most of their workout routine.

Arm Lift – Most arm lift (or brachioplasty) patients can begin with walking for exercise within one week, gradually working up to cardiovascular exercise after a month and heavier lifting after six weeks.

Liposuction – Depending on the extensiveness of your surgery, you should be able to resume most activities within ten days after liposuction, but vigorous and high-impact exercise (e.g., running) should be limited for four to eight weeks.

Tummy Tuck – While small amounts of walking may be recommended in the days after a tummy tuck, you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities (including lifting children) for four to eight weeks post-surgery.

Thigh Lift – Thigh lift patients typically return to work and other daily activities after two to three weeks, but it usually takes six to eight weeks before they can return to their full workout.

While you’re planning your cosmetic surgery, the most important thing to remember is that the timeframes listed above are simply general estimates. When you schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, I’ll be able to give you a more specific idea of what to expect during your personal recovery process, but we’ll be able to better gauge your healing throughout your follow-up appointments – one of the many reasons why it’s so important to keep all of your post-surgical appointments. For more helpful tips and information for your plastic surgery journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What to Expect after a Thigh Lift

, , , , , ,

Losing a significant amount of weight and giving yourself the gift of a healthier body is an accomplishment to be proud of. But unfortunately, for many patients, that moment when they step on the scale and see their goal weight is less exciting than they had envisioned, because instead of having a physique they can feel confident in, all they can see is the excess skin that has been left behind. Especially for those who lost weight rapidly through bariatric surgery, skin can lose its elasticity not just throughout the abdomen but in other areas as well, like the legs, and a thigh lift may be needed to remove the excess skin and improve the patient’s comfort and appearance. If you’re considering a thigh lift, this blog can help you know what to expect during your recovery.

IWhat to Expect after a Thigh Liftncisions

The amount and location of your unwanted tissue will affect the type of incision you’ll require. In some cases the incision is limited to the groin area, where it’s easy to conceal beneath clothing. Other patients may require an incision across the top of the outer thigh or along the inner thigh. Regardless, it’s important to follow all post-surgical instructions about caring for your incisions and to be particularly watchful for signs of an infection during the first two weeks after your surgery.

Recovery Timeline

The type of thigh lift you receive and your unique anatomy will both affect how long it takes your body to heal after plastic surgery. In general, most patients can resume most of their day-to-day activities and be back to work within two to three weeks after surgery. You’ll be asked to avoid putting too much strain on your legs during the first few weeks, and you may need to wear a compression garment for approximately a month, but most thigh lift patients can expect to return to their exercise routine and heavy lifting within 6-8 weeks after their procedure.

Maintaining Your Results

Fortunately, the results of a thigh lift and other post weight loss plastic surgery can be permanent. However, in order to maintain your results, it’s important to remain at a healthy weight. The procedure removes excess skin and contours the thighs, but it does not change the composition of your skin to make it more elastic, so future weight fluctuations could cause you to once again be left with excess skin.

Guidelines like these can help you understand what to expect from the cosmetic surgery you’re considering, but every patient’s situation is unique, and even patients who receive similar procedures may experience significant differences in their healing process. Ultimately, your best source of information is your experienced board-certified plastic surgeon. To start discussing your aesthetic surgery options, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful plastic surgery information, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

1 2