subject: Plastic Surgery - Recovering From Your Operation [print this page] Recovery from plastic surgery will depend on a variety of factors, most of which will stem from how extensive the procedure itself was. Someone going in for abdominoplasty, for instance, can expect a much more intense recovery period than someone preparing for a nose job. The area of the body being operated on will also play a role, as will the techniques and technology being used in the operation. Other considerations that have a role in determining the course of recovery include the age and health of the patient. A young person who has no health issues is going to recover much more quickly - generally speaking - than an older patient with underlying health concerns. If you are thinking about having some work done, here is what you should know about getting well again.
Give it Time
The worst thing you can do is to attempt to rush your recovery process. Getting better takes time, especially after extensive plastic surgery. You can't expect to simply walk out of the office and go straight back to work. There are few procedures that would allow anything close to that level of quick recovery. At worst, make sure you plan your procedure so that it takes place around the weekend so you have a couple of days to take it easy. For more extensive procedures, however, this won't be enough. Make sure you have the time off from work that your doctor recommends.
Returning to Normal
Your first few days after plastic surgery should be focused on following your recovery plan, taking your pain medication, and relaxing. Nothing else. After that initial time period, you'll be able to slowly start putting some normalcy back in your life. Talk to your doctor about getting back to your daily routine. It will take longer to get back to a vigorous gym routine, of course, than it will to sit behind a desk and work on the computer. And the type of procedure you had done will play a heavy role in determining what you can do and when. Follow your doctor's recommendations carefully, as doing too much too soon can lead to complications.
Be Prepared
As stated, the first few days after the plastic surgery should be spent recuperating and doing little else. You will need to prepare ahead of time, however, to make sure you can make this a reality. This means stocking up on supplies before the operation. You shouldn't need to go out for food, for instance. You may also want to make sure you choose foods that are easy to prepare, so you don't need to stand around in the kitchen doing extensive cooking.
