Maintaining Your Post Surgery Results
For example, after rhinoplasty is performed, there’s very little the patient needs to do beyond the initial healing process. The nose has been surgically corrected and, aside from breaking it, nothing the patient can do will change the results of the surgery.
A tummy tuck, on the other hand, is not as permanent. It requires the patient to do some work in order to maintain their results. If the patient doesn’t, the results will be lost and all the time and money spent on surgery and healing will essentially be lost. So while these procedures do require a little more effort on the patient’s part, it’s a trade that many people consider to be well worth it.
Achieving the Best Plastic Surgery Results
The surgeries that tend to require upkeep are those that affect larger portions of the body or areas of the body that can be affected by weight loss/gain. That includes procedures like liposuction, mommy makeovers, breast reductions, and pretty much any other cosmetic surgery that is not performed on the face.Fortunately, there are three big ways you can make sure your surgery results last for many years to come.
Take Care of Your Surgical Site
Your post-surgical skincare routine may not seem that important, but it really is. Neglecting to take care of the skin around your wound after surgery can not only inhibit the healing process, but permanently alter the appearance, texture, and color of the skin in that area.
Scarring is a part of any surgery but, while there’s no way to prevent it, there are things you can do to minimize it:
Scarring is a part of any surgery but, while there’s no way to prevent it, there are things you can do to minimize it:
- Work with a skilled plastic surgeon. How your surgeon closes your incision site has a big impact on how your scars heal, so it’s best to work with someone with lots of experience, like the board-certified plastic surgeons at Wilmington Plastic Surgery.
- Follow your doctor’s directions. After the procedure, your surgeon will send you home with strict orders on what you can and cannot do during the healing process. Many of these orders (restricting movement, not lifting anything heavy, etc.) are designed to help make sure your wounds heal properly. Additionally, if they prescribe a special lotion for your scars, be sure to use it.
- Protect your skin. Scars are more susceptible to damage than the rest of your skin is, so they need a little extra care and attention. Keep them out of the sun, or use sunscreen if you have to be outside.
- Help it heal. Hydration is extremely important to skin health and overall healing, so make sure you drink plenty of water. Additionally, with the approval of your doctor, you can use a cocoa butter-based lotion to help reduce the appearance of scars over time.
Commit to an Exercise Routine
One of the biggest mistakes people make when getting plastic surgery is treating their body the way they did prior to surgery. Some surgeries require patients to make healthy lifestyle choices, like exercising regularly, in order to maintain results. If you’re struggling, remembering that your plastic surgery journey cost time and money should help motivate you to stay in shape.
Your activity level will change a lot between your first days post-surgery and the years to come. While you should always consult with your doctor first, the following is a general timeline for how your exercise routine might look after surgery:
Your activity level will change a lot between your first days post-surgery and the years to come. While you should always consult with your doctor first, the following is a general timeline for how your exercise routine might look after surgery:
- Strenuous exercise in the first few days after surgery can damage your incision site and increase the risk of swelling and infection. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how long you need to refrain from activity after surgery.
- Resting is certainly important, but it’s not good to lay in bed all day after surgery. Getting up a few times a day and just walking around for a few minutes will improve your mood, promote blood flow, and help the entire healing process.
- Once you have your doctor’s approval for light activity, try to get out of the house. Taking short walks in the park or walking slowly on a treadmill is a great way to get into the habit of exercising.
- The hardest part about getting into an exercise routine is keeping it up. Remind yourself that maintaining your new look is important, and commit to exercising at least three days a week to keep your routine consistent.
- Determine what your main goal is. Cardio (running, biking, swimming) is ideal for burning calories quickly, whereas weight lifting is perfect for keeping muscles tight and toned.
Remember, your body will be adjusting to some big changes after surgery. It’s not uncommon to gain a few pounds during the healing process since you will be largely inactive during this time. Just know that soon you’ll be out and about, and able to enjoy your new work. And, if you find yourself unmotivated to exercise, try to make it enjoyable! Many people find that taking exercise classes or doing group workouts is a much better way to motivate themselves.
Improve Your Diet
Eating a well-balanced diet is key to everyone’s health, but it’s especially important for healing after surgery. Plus, having plastic surgery is a major life decision, so it’s the perfect time to commit to making another major lifestyle change by overhauling your diet. The following tips can help you make healthy diet choices for your post-surgery days and beyond:
- Don’t snack on sugary foods. If you have a sweet tooth, opt for fruit as a snack, instead of candy.
- Stay away from processed, pre-packaged foods. These are full of preservatives that don’t promote healing or overall health. Get into the habit of making good, whole meals yourself, instead of reaching for something in the freezer section.
- Keep an eye on portion sizes. As discussed earlier, your activity levels will be low right after surgery and overeating during this time can cause excess weight gain.
- Eating too much isn’t good, but the same goes for eating too little. Sticking to regular meals is important, since eating speeds up your metabolism. A handful of nuts is a great option if you’re not that hungry but need to eat a little something to promote healing.
- Balance your meals. Avoid saturated fats in favor of the healthier, natural fats found in meat and nuts. Eat plenty of protein. Reach for complex carbs, like whole grains and fibrous veggies, instead of simple carbs like chips and candy.
- Don’t try fad diets. They may cause you to drop some pounds, but they are typically not very healthy. Many people who try fad diets suffer extreme weight fluctuations that can cause skin stretching and affect surgical scars.
Remember, everything in moderation. You can treat yourself to something sweet or indulgent every once in a while, as long as you don’t go overboard all the time. Life is short and it’s important to enjoy it.