Reconstructive Plastic Surgery: Aftercare Tips

When you go through a plastic surgery procedure, it’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions. But even more importantly, taking care of yourself after the operation is important to get positive results. Here are some tips for post-operative care.

Get Support

According to Dr. Joel Aronowitz, reconstructive surgery can be highly involving depending on the area of the body where it’s performed. Therefore, you’ll struggle to handle daily activities in the first few weeks of recovery. In this case, it’s important to have a support team.

Consider your loved ones, friends, or even medical professionals who can care for you during this time. Have your family stock up on groceries and other supplies in advance. In turn, they’ll have plenty of time to assist during the recovery.

Follow the Doctor’s Instructions

After the procedure, the plastic surgeon will give you after-care instructions. It’s important to follow them, so you don’t increase your chances of getting complications or infections. If possible, get someone to help with anything you find complex. In turn, this will facilitate a quick recovery.

Eat a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is a key to boosting your immune system. During the recovery process, you’ll need high immunity to prevent infections that might cause further complications. Include plenty of proteins, fruits, and vegetables to help build your immunity. The high levels of immunity will help fight any disease-causing microorganisms entering through the site of constructive surgery.

Drink More Water

Water is an essential component of your after-surgery diet. After the surgery, you’ll have a weak immune system. Therefore, drinking plenty of water will prevent you from developing infections. It will also act as a catalyst for healing by keeping your body hydrated.

Take Time Off From Work

The amount of time taken to recover from reconstructive surgery varies depending on its extent. If you have minor surgery, it doesn’t mean you should go to work the following day. Taking a few weeks or months off is advisable to recover fully.

After the process, you might feel irritable and experience pain. Therefore, this wouldn’t be the best time to return to work. Notify your employer before the procedure to secure enough leave for recovery.

Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure

The best way to follow this regulation is by staying indoors during peak hours. If necessary, go outside in the morning and the evening when the sun is not too hot. Excessive exposure to the sun can delay the healing process and damage your skin. You should also use sunscreen to offer you more protection from UV rays.

Avoid Smoking

It’s important to avoid smoking or vaping because nicotine slows down the body’s recovery process. Smoking also increases the chances of other complications interfering with the achieved appearance.

Plastic surgery is a major decision that requires careful consideration. You should consider all aspects of the procedure, especially the recovery process. While the above tips should help with recovery, always get clarification from your plastic surgeon. They have a lot of knowledge and experience of these procedures.