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4 Simple Tips To Help Prepare for Any Plastic Surgery Procedure

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woman-prepares-for-surgery-with-doctorThanks to advancements in the field, it’s never been more safe and simple to undergo a plastic surgery procedure. However, even “minor” cosmetic surgery procedures are still surgery and should obviously not be taken lightly. And one of the most important things that a person can do to ensure the best, safest, and longest-lasting plastic surgery experience is to properly prepare. Today, I thought it would be informative to provide a few tips to help patients prepare for plastic surgery.

Reach Your Goal Weight Before Surgery

This may seem counterintuitive to some people, but it’s best for patients to reach or be near their ideal weight before a body contouring procedure like a tummy tuck or liposuction. These procedures are intended to remove excess skin, tissue, and/or small amounts of fat. And while the results are typically fantastic, they are not meant to provide significant weight loss for patients. Additionally, if you gain weight after the procedure it can potentially affect your results.

Help Yourself With A Good Diet

Eating right in the weeks leading up to your surgery can help give your immune system a boost and trigger the body’s natural healing properties. This includes eating a lot of healthy proteins including lean meats and fish. Additionally, loading up on fiber (especially fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts) and reducing sodium intake (which can lead to swelling and inflammation) can both be incredibly helpful before and after your procedure has taken place.

Prepare Mentally

Preparation for plastic surgery goes far beyond the physical side of things. Mental preparation can take many forms. For starters, speak with your plastic surgeon to properly understand the benefits and risks of your procedure, as well as following important post-op information and what results you can realistically expect. If you have any specific concerns or anxieties regarding your surgery, make them heard beforehand. Communication is key!

Gather The Necessary Supplies for Recovery

Some limitations with mobility (including leaving the home, using stairs, bending, or lifting) should be expected following surgery. Which is why it’s so important to make sure you pick up any supplies you’ll need before your surgery, in order to have them nearby when you need them. Depending on your specific procedure, this may include medications, snacks, comfortable clothing, compression garments, and ice packs. Because the post-surgery recovery period can be a pretty sedentary time, having books, magazines, or tv/movies picked out beforehand can be helpful.

For plastic surgery patients, there’s no such thing as being too knowledgeable about your procedure. This is why I make sure to allow my patients the time and space they need to have all their specific questions, concerns, and curiosities addressed during plastic surgery consultation appointments in my office. Helping my patients fully prepare for their surgery is a big reason why I’ve been named a Top Doctor in Atlanta for over 20 years, an honor that I do not take lightly. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. And follow along with me on Facebook and Twitter for additional tips, videos, news, and more from the world of plastic surgery.

Recovery After Rhinoplasty: What You Need to Know

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nose surgery atlanta gaNo matter what kind of procedure they are interested in undergoing, post-surgery recovery is always a concern among my cosmetic surgery patients. The plastic surgery recovery period is a critical time for both allowing the body to fully heal and promoting the best and longest-lasting result from the procedure performed. I’ve always found that providing clear and accurate information about these things can be incredibly reassuring and helpful to patients. This is why I wanted to discuss what my patients can expect from their recovery after rhinoplasty surgery.

I wanted to begin by laying out the standard recovery timetable for rhinoplasty surgery. Every patient is different and this can vary, but these thresholds should provide a simple baseline of expectations for most patients. Rhinoplasty is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning no overnight hospital stay will be required. Patients can typically return to most of their normal daily activities within two to three weeks after their surgery. More physically demanding tasks like exercise, heavy lifting, and certain kinds of strenuous work will have to wait at least a month. This will be discussed in more detail at the time of consultation and pre-op.

In the weeks following the procedure, there will be some natural swelling of the face. As swelling subsides and tissue heals, a gradual change in appearance will become noticeable. In some cases, the nose will be bandaged and splinted for a week after rhinoplasty to provide protection and support to the newly re-contoured nose. Depending on the type of rhinoplasty and the extent of the surgery, it can take several months for swelling to fully dissipate, but outstanding aesthetic results from rhinoplasty will appear much sooner than that.

To help my patients get the most out of their rhinoplasty recovery period, I recommend taking the following precautions:

  • Take baths (instead of showers) until surgical bandages have been removed
  • Avoid blowing your nose when possible
  • Use a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen on your nose, and avoid too much sun exposure, in the weeks following rhinoplasty
  • Try to limit more extreme facial contortions like smiling or laughing when possible
  • Be gentle while brushing your teeth to limit movement of your upper lip and irritation of the nose
  • Wear button-down shirts or be careful when pulling clothing like shirts over your head

I always tell my patients that recovery after rhinoplasty surgery is almost always less daunting than patients may believe before their procedure. And the vast majority of patients feel the long-term results achieved always make it worth it. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.

When Can I Resume My Normal Routine After Breast Augmentation?

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The post-surgery recovery timetable is a major consideration for all cosmetic surgery patients. In addition to anxiously awaiting the final results of their cosmetic procedure, it’s also very important for patients to understand how their daily routine will be affected in the days and weeks after surgery. Oftentimes, normal activities like work, school, and exercise will need to be temporarily paused in order to allow the body the necessary time to properly heal following a cosmetic procedure. Today I wanted to speak more specifically about breast augmentation and when patients can resume their normal routine again after surgery.

Because breast augmentation surgery is so customizable depending on the specific needs and preferences of each patient, the time needed to recover after surgery can vary. Some women may begin low-impact daily activities like driving and walking in just a few days after their procedure depending on how they feel, while others may need more time. Patients will experience some degree of soreness, bruising, and swelling for 3-4 weeks after their surgery. More strenuous physical activity like working out after breast implants (including weight lifting, playing sports, jogging, or running) will require at least 6-8 full weeks of recovery. And possibly even more time for any heavy lifting.

In the following video, I explain when patients can get back to their normal routine after breast augmentation surgery:

I understand that this wait can sometimes be challenging and frustrating for some patients. However, it is essential for properly healing and achieving the best and longest-lasting aesthetic results from your breast augmentation. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.

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