How can I get a fast recovery from plastic surgery?

After any type of plastic surgery on the face there is going to be approximately two weeks of some degree of swelling and bruising located in the facial areas. It is recommended that patients do not go back to work for at least two weeks post-operatively, or have any social engagements, because the incisions, swelling and bruising will be detectable during that time.

Within two weeks after the surgery, makeup can be applied and most patients are able to return to their normal lifestyle of exercise, social activity and work environment.

Aspirin, ibuprofen, Vitamin E, and herbal supplements have blood thinning properties and should be avoided two weeks before and after surgery. Additionally, smoking retards the healing process and is discouraged. Arnica is acceptable in the postoperative period.

There are many things a patient can do to speed their recovery after plastic surgery.

1. Get your life in order before surgery - bills paid, shopping done, home cleaned, and care assistance arranged. This relieves the stress early after surgery and allows the patient to relax and focus only on their recovery.
2. Avoid all products that enhance bleeding such as aspirin, Motrin, Vitamin E and many herbals. Your doctor should provide you with a list, which grows regularly as more herbal products are discovered that affect blood clotting. These products should be avoided for 2 weeks before AND after surgery so that your blood platelets (the factors in blood that cause clotting) will function normally.
3. Avoid all activities after surgery that increase your heart rate and blood pressure for 2 full weeks. Delayed bleeding can occasionally happen up to 2 weeks after surgery, requiring surgery to drain it. If this happens, your recovery will be significantly longer that if you had followed these activity restrictions.
4. Stay calm and positive because those who do will always have a dramatically better recovery than those who are high strung, anxious or negative people. Surround yourself only with positive people; negative individuals can make comments that hurt you during this fragile phase of recovery.

There are many things one can do to speed up the healing phase after rhinoplasty. Some of the factors that may increase swelling include secondary surgery that requires an open approach with multiple cartilage grafts, thick/sebaceous skin, large reduction in nasal size (especially at the tip). The nasal tip is the last place for swelling to come down adn for the skin to re-attach and shape itself on top of the cartilage framework that has been modified. Here are some tips:

• Ask your doctor to show you how to tape the skin down so that the "dead space" between the skin and the cartilage and bone is sealed off.
• Try to sleep with several pillows under your head so that you are not completely flat. The taping can be done for as long as 4 weeks without causing acne or skin irritation.
• Ask your doctor which tape he/she recommends.
• Also, try to avoid salty food and beverages, which can increase swelling anywhere.
• Do not fiddle with your nose too much.
• Do not rub or pnch or squeeze it. Any movement can stir up the swelling and disrupt the skin from sticking down nicely.
• Also, some herbs can be effective such as Arnica Montana and Bromelain.

Post-operative care for any cosmetic procedure is paramount in the success of the procedure and rapid healing time. I give all of my patients the following post-operative instructions after any facial surgery procedure.

1. NUTRITION: It is very important to stay well hydrated following surgery with liquids, such as Gatorade, chicken broth, Jell-o, water, etc.
2. FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS: Always have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon within one week of your surgery.
3. MEDICATIONS: You will experience some discomfort and pain for several days following surgery. Take the pain medications and the antibiotics that were prescribed by your physician.  Do not take Aspirin, Vitamin E, Ginko, St. Johns Wart, or Ibuprofen two weeks prior to or one week following your surgery. Constipation may occur due to the pain medication and can be treated with mild laxatives, stool softeners, fruit juice or prunes.
4. ACTIVITIES: Avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for 2-3 weeks. Keep head elevated for 2-3days to minimize swelling.
5. DRESSING/DRAINS: Your facial dressings and drains will be removed within 24 hours following your surgery. Sutures will be removed within 5-10 days and if tissue glue is used, allow the glue to slough off on its own.
6. MASSAGING: Once sutures are removed and the flue has sloughed off, you may begin massaging your scars with Vitamin E oil. Avoid sun exposure including tanning beds as this will cause the scar to turn dark. You may resume your preoperative skin care treatment at this time.
7. HEALING: Bruising and swelling may persist for 2-3 weeks. You will have residual swelling that will take a few more weeks to resolve. It is not uncommon for some patients to experience some depression during recovery and should resolve by the third week.