How to Ensure a Smooth Healing Process After Plastic Surgery

Your plastic surgeon will provide you with specific instructions about your recovery process. These instructions should be followed closely.

To make the recovery process as smooth as possible, outsource chores like meal preparation, grocery shopping, and pet care to friends or family before surgery. Staying hydrated is also important.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for your overall health, especially during the recovery period after plastic surgery. A diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals can help minimize inflammation, aid in healing, and prevent infections. 

Boncompagni recommends consuming foods high in protein, such as eggs, fish, beans, legumes, and turkey. Additionally, eating low-sodium foods can help lessen bloating. It is also advisable to avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol as they may lead to dehydration, which can impede the recovery process. 

Incorporating foods with probiotics, such as miso, yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, into your diet can help boost your immunity and are therefore great choices to include in your meal plan.

Avoid spicy, acidic, or fried foods that can interfere with your recovery. These can irritate the stomach and disturb digestion, as well as some vegetables, which may increase blood clotting time and interfere with anesthesia. Consult your plastic surgeon Bellevue and dietitian to discuss your procedure and diet requirements. This will ensure optimal results and a quicker recovery.

Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is crucial for a comfortable recovery after plastic surgery, especially during hot weather. Your surgeon will provide specific guidelines for post-surgery care, and it’s important to follow these instructions to ensure optimal healing conditions.

Hydration is key to transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, removing waste products, and keeping your digestive system working properly. Drink plenty of water and limit or avoid beverages like coffee, soda, and sugary juices to keep hydrated.

In addition to drinking plenty of water, focus on eating healthy foods. Opt for lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to provide energy and nutrient support. Avoid spicy foods and drinks, as they may irritate your surgical site and increase discomfort. Also, avoid high-sodium foods and salty snacks, as they can cause fluid retention, leading to bloating and swelling. Lastly, use gentle cleansers and pat your skin dry. These steps will help reduce infection risk while maintaining healthy, smooth skin.

Take Your Medications

It is important to follow the specific instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon. These are designed to promote optimal healing conditions.

If you take any medications regularly, discuss them with your plastic surgeon before surgery. Some medications can interfere with the effectiveness of anesthesia, including certain antidepressants, most anti-Parkinson drugs, and some vitamins/herbal supplements.

Plan to have someone help you with your chores, food preparation, and other daily tasks during recovery. This can be a friend, family member, or hired helper. Ensure that they know what your surgeon has advised you to do and set up a schedule or alarms to ensure you remember.

Be sure to take any antibiotics that your doctor gives you. If you spend the night at the surgical facility, take one tablet of the medication that was prescribed in the evening after your surgery (such as Cephalexin or Keflex). You will then need to take a pill three times every day until the prescription is gone.

Rest

Getting plenty of rest is a key element in the recovery process, and preparing beforehand is important. Remembering that everyone heals at a different pace is important, so don’t push yourself too hard too soon.

Sleep is critical for promoting healthy skin and tissue. In addition, it helps decrease inflammation and boosts your immune system. Proper rest during your healing period can help you return to normal faster and enjoy better results.

While some surgeries can be quite passive, others, such as tummy tucks, require movement to accelerate healing and reduce the risk of a dangerous blood clot (deep vein thrombosis). It’s important to keep your body moving during this time to prevent complications like DVT.

Setting up your home ahead of your procedure is also a good idea to make it as comfortable and convenient as possible for you to recuperate. You can prepare by arranging your sleeping area, removing clutter, and ensuring easy access to your medications and other necessary things.