After you schedule your facelift at a site like http://www.myplasticsurgerygroup.com, you might be excited about your upcoming transformation. Although you might be tempted to write off your surgery as a simple cosmetic procedure, the fact of the matter is that the healing process can be difficult and time-consuming for some people. However, you might be able to make the weeks following your surgery a little easier by following these three tips for recovery success.
1: Take Enough Time Off
If you are a busy professional, it can be hard to think about taking time away from work. However, if you are getting a facelift, you might not be able to go into the office for awhile. Most experts recommend waiting at least two weeks before returning back to your normal day-to-day activities, but it might take as long as three weeks for those bruises to heal.
Because you will be under general anesthesia during your cosmetic procedure, it is important to rest and recover afterwards. After your surgery, you might be exceptionally tired and nauseous. The first few days after your procedure are also when you are most susceptible to wound infections, so it is important to take it easy.
It can be painful to think about papers piling up on your desk or missing important phone calls, but if you do things the right way, you might be able to control your workload from home. Consider taking a solid week off, and then working from home for a few weeks after that. Ask clients and co-workers to email you instead of calling, and submit completed paperwork via fax or e-mail.
Working from home might seem more difficult than going into the office, but the fact of the matter is that bruises and stitches might not look that professional either. Stay home until you look presentable, work when you can, and enjoy catching up on your favorite television shows.
2: Eat The Right Foods
Whenever you experience any type of injury, your immune system rushes blood and fluid to the area to fight off any potential infections. Although this reaction, also called the inflammatory response, can help you to avoid serious complications, it can also damage the work of your plastic surgeon.
If too much fluid fills the area, sutures can pop open, and your face could heal incorrectly. Believe it or not, prolonged inflammation can even cause underlying muscles to weaken and atrophy, which could alter your ability to smile or make facial expressions.
Fortunately, you might be able to fend off excess inflammation by eating the right things before and after your surgery. Some surgeons recommend eating foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids, like fish and olive oil, along with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
Your doctor might also recommend taking anti-inflammatory medications and using ice packs to cool reconstructed areas. By eating right and working to reduce inflammation, you might experience fewer complications, so that you can get back to your normal life a little faster.
3: Follow Doctor's Orders
One of the best ways to improve your recovery is by carefully listening to the instructions that your doctor gives you before you go home. Here are a few things that he or she might discuss with you, and why you should listen:
- Showering: After your surgery, you might have small drains to remove extra fluid, stitches, or wound dressings. Don't try to shower sooner than your doctor advises, as moisture could introduce infection to your wounds.
- Makeup: Your skin and the underlying muscles might be extremely tender after your surgery. To avoid injuring your face, stay away from makeup until you get the go-ahead from your doctor.
- Incision Care: To help incisions to heal properly, you might be asked to clean your wounds a few times a day.
It might seem like a hassle to follow instructions, but try to think of it as preserving your investment. If you can keep the area clean and free of infection, you will recover in no time.
Making wise choices after your surgery might help you to avoid problems, so that you can look great and feel even better.
