Plastic Surgery: Recovery Time
We live in a culture that values immediate gratification. However, patience is a virtue when it comes to recovering from a cosmetic or plastic surgery procedure. The road to realizing the final results of your treatment can be long, from the immediate downtime to the larger recovery process that can last weeks or months.
Recovery time includes everything from the removal of drains, sutures, or splints to the time it takes for incision site marks to fade. For decades, plastic surgery has changed people’s lives, and nurses have stood by patients, assisting them on their paths to a happier life.
Each patient will tolerate pain differently after surgery, and we take this into account. While some patients describe their pain as an ache, others report severe discomfort. Post-operative patients are given appropriate pain medications, which help to reduce discomfort. Most facial cosmetic procedures result in minimal post-operative discomfort.
While each patient and surgical procedure is unique, there are some general timelines to expect for your cosmetic surgery recovery.
When can I resume regular exercise?
The time a affected person resumes ordinary sports varies primarily based totally at the operation performed. All patients are endorsed to begin a slow walking routine on the second postoperative day. Regular cardio and more energetic sports aren’t allowed during the primary 2 weeks on the way to lower the risks of bleeding, swelling, and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports activities are allowed at 6 weeks in most cases.
For Face
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery): Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper and lower eyelids by removing excess skin and fat deposits.
Bruising & Swelling: Subsides 7 to 10 days post-op
Return to Work: 1 week post-op
Aftercare Eye drops and facial bandages are common.
Final Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Browplasty (brow lift): The surgical elimination of extra fat and skin, and tightening of muscles located withinside the brow region. The technique can accurate a brow this is sagging or one which has deep furrows among the eyes. Oftentimes it’s far finished along side a facelift.
Remove Sutures: 7 to 10 days post-op
Return to Work: 7 to 10 days post-op
Bruising & Swelling: 10 to 14 days post-op
Final Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Rhinoplasty (nose job): Nose reshaping enhances the facial harmony and proportions of the nose.Nose jobs can be ‘functional’ (medically necessary) or ‘cosmetic’.
Aftercare: A splint or packing can be located in the nose, and every other splint can be located at the out of doors to aid the new shape during the healing process. One of the greater painful procedures, it’s far normally observed with respiratory and consuming or swallowing problems during the initial recovery periods.
Bruising & Swelling: Subsides 10 to 14 days post-op; residual swelling for up to one year
Remove Splint: 5 to 7 days post-op
Return to Work: 1 week post-op
Final Results: 1 year post-op
Facelift & Necklift: This is the elimination of extra facial fat, the tightening of facial muscles, and stretching of the skin to create a smoother, firmer facial appearance. The pores and skin is separated from the fat and muscle, then the fat is eliminated and the pores and skin pulled returned into place. Any extra pores and skin is eliminated.
Remove Drains: 2 days post-op
Remove Sutures: 5 to 10 days post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Subsides within 10 to 14 days; residual swelling for 3 months
Final Results: 6 months post-op
For body
Breast Augmentation: This procedure enlarges, shapes, or fullens the breast. Under the breast tissue or chest muscles, the surgeon may insert a saline, silicone, or alternative composite breast implant. Implants typically last seven to twelve years.
Return to Work: 3 to 5 days post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Peaks at 24 to 48 hours post-op; subsides over 2 to 3 months
Resume Exercise: 3 to 6 weeks post-op
Resume Wearing Underwire Bra: 4 to 6 weeks post-op
Final Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Breast Lift: A breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is a surgical procedure used to raise a sagging breast on a woman’s chest. The size, contour, and elevation of the breasts will be altered or changed by a surgeon.
Return to Work: 3 to 5 days post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Peaks at 24 to 48 hours post-op; subsides over 2 to 3 months
Resume Exercise: 3 to 6 weeks post-op
Resume Wearing Underwire Bra: 4 to 6 weeks post-op
Final Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Breast Reduction: This method is used to reduce the size of large breasts. To achieve a breast size that is more proportional to the rest of the body, a surgeon will remove excess breast fat, glandular tissue, and skin. It is also sought after to alleviate the discomfort caused by overly large breasts.
Return to Work: 3 to 5 days post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Peaks at 24 to 48 hours post-op; subsides over 2 to 3 months
Resume Exercise: 3 to 6 weeks post-op
Resume Wearing Underwire Bra: 4 to 6 weeks post-op
Final Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck): This procedure minimizes the abdominal area by removing excess fat and skin.
Remove Drains: 3 days to 1 week post-op
Return to Work: 2 to 4 weeks post-op
Resume Normal Activity: 2 to 4 weeks post-op
Wear Compression Garments: 6 to 8 weeks post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Subsides 2 to 3 months post-op; residual swelling for up to 18 months
Final Results: 4 to 6 months post-op
Liposuction: This method is the elimination of extra fat via a suctioning procedure for you to extrade the body’s contour and shape. It is most commonly accomplished below the chin, stomach, thighs, hips, under the arms, and breast areas.
Return to Work: 1 to 3 days post-op
Resume Normal Activity: 1 week post-op
Bruising & Swelling: Peaks 1 week post-op; subsides over 4 to 6 weeks
Wear Compression Garments: 4 to 6 weeks post-op
Initial Results: 3 to 6 months post-op
Final Results: 1 year post-op
