Cosmetic procedures gained mainstream acceptance in recent years. Many now choose to have such treatments to make their faces more symmetrical, youthful, and conventionally attractive.
However, there’s a lot of anxiety attached to the recovery. Let’s explore everything that follows your surgery date to help you prepare yourself for the post-operative period.
Facial Recovery Timelines
The exact procedure you undergo depends on the problem area and what you want from the treatment. The projected recovery timelines differ for each surgery.
Blepharoplasty
Blepharoplasty includes removing the excess skin around your eyelids to reduce puffiness and drooping. As Dr. Kopelman describes, it can take years off your face.
Swelling and bruising tend to last seven to ten days, but you should be able to start working again within a week.
Browplasty
Browlifts raise your eyebrows to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Like the previous one, the goal is to rejuvenate your face.
While the bruising and swelling can take a bit longer to subside, the timeline otherwise resembles blepharoplasty.
Rhinoplasty
Nose jobs take longer to heal. You can expect to:
- Wear a splint for a week.
- See bruising for two weeks.
- Return to work in 14 days.
- Resume regular activity in a month.
However, the final results become visible only around a year after the procedure.
Rhytidectomy
Facelifts are the gold standard of rejuvenation, firming the entire face and making up for any age-related volume loss.
There’ll be bruising for around two weeks, after which you’ll slowly go back to your everyday activities. It’ll take up to three months for everything to subside enough to enjoy the results, though.
Post-Op Expectations
As you’re preparing for the surgery, consider these aspects of healing and develop proper strategies.
Pain Management
Your surgeon will prescribe pain killers for managing post-operative discomfort, and they might also suggest over-the-counter drugs. In both cases, be sure to follow the doctor’s orders and take them in moderation.
If you experience any undesirable side-effects, such as a rash, nausea, or headaches, have a conversation with the professional and have them switch your prescription. After all, your comfort is at stake.
There are also non-medical approaches to pain control that could complement your medication. From guided imagery to aromatherapy, these can help you get your mind in the right place.
Wound Care
After you leave the hospital, you’ll have to keep your incision clean and dry. If you’re squeamish, hire a nurse. This part is essential to proper healing, and you can’t skip it because you find the task nasty.
Emotional Challenges
There’s emotional aftermath to every cosmetic procedure. You could feel nervous or anxious about your decision or experience sheer sadness about the nose you once had.
The best way to handle these emotions is by accepting them as a reasonable step towards healing. Asking a loved one to spend time with you can make a world of difference, too.
However, if emotional turmoil starts before your procedure, talk to a therapist. Feeling confident in your decision sets a solid foundation and facilitates recovery.
Accelerating the Healing Process
Every individual heals at a different rate, but some practices could accelerate the process, such as:
- Enough food and water. Proper nutrition and hydration help your body recover more quickly.
- Stress management. Cortisol could hinder your body’s ability to recuperate.
- Following instructions. Although you might feel like soaking in the sun soon after the surgery, you’ll only slow down the healing by going against the recommendations.
Downtime Considerations
Finally, there are things to keep in mind as you’re arranging the downtime.
Start by talking to your surgeon about recovery expectations. Use the timeline they provide as a general pointer to organize the next few weeks of your life, but be charitable with the days off.
If possible, schedule more time away than the doctor deems necessary to avoid stress and manage any potential complications.
You need to wait a bit longer if your job is strenuous, too. Exercise after plastic surgery is another point of consideration and an area where you’ll want to be generous with the time you give yourself.
Finally, speak to all people who’ll see your post-operative bruises beforehand. That way, you won’t get that extra jolt of anxiety when the time comes to get back to the real world.
Key Takeaways
In the end, it’s all about listening to your doctor and being kind to yourself as you slowly heal and return to normal.
Learning as much as you can before the procedure is a massive, significant step. It ensures you’re on strong legs once the surgery date comes, putting you on the right path toward a successful, comfortable recovery. If you need more info, visit this website.