Plastic surgery procedures are once again on the rise as we make our way back to more social engagement. Whether you have scheduled a facelift because you want to love what you see during those Zoom meetings or you’ve decided that your work-from-home situation has provided the perfect opportunity to recover from liposuction, breast augmentation, or a tummy tuck, you likely want to make the most of your experience. We’re going to help you do that by offering a few more tips on your post-surgical must-haves.Â
Rest
Did you think we would mention that you need your prescriptions and extra pillows to help you sleep comfortably? We trust you already know those tips. What we want to offer you are those so-obvious-you-overlook-them kind of tips. Rest is listed first because it seems to be both the most obvious and the most challenging. We suggest that you prepare yourself by getting specific. If your normal night of sleep ends at 7 to 8 hours, understand that your body may demand 10 hours or more as it heals. It is when the body sleeps that it releases the most healing proteins and chemicals, so let it happen. In addition to your great night’s sleep, you may also want to nap during the day. Cognitively, this can be difficult because we’re taught to hustle all day every day. For a short time, just stop and let your focus be on your physical healing.Â
Nutrition
You are what you eat, right? Well, after surgery, what you want to be is well, healed, whole. You may also want comfort and ease, which can set the stage for poor nutrition habits. This is not the time to order in pizza and msg-laden chow mein every night. It’s the time to eat healthy soups, salads, lean meats, healthy fats, and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. To make this happen, you may need to make a few meals ahead of time, a simple trick for an optimal recovery.
Mobility
Rest and good nutrition go hand-in-hand with appropriate physical activity when it comes to healing from plastic surgery. At first, you may only move around the house a few times a day. That’s ok. It helps maintain the blood circulation that can prevent blood clots. As you can, take your walks outdoors but make sure to keep it low-key. Your doctor will clear you for more intense physical activity in time, based on your procedure and your progress.Â
We love helping our patients get amazing results from plastic surgery, and also experience a smooth recovery period. To learn more about our services, call (212) 508-0000.