Beauty Doc Blog

December 29.2008

Plastic surgery can produce wonderful and life-changing results, but the post-surgery area often goes through a transition stage that can comprise scarring, bloating, bruising and swelling.  These symptoms are common and only temporary, but they can cause the first few weeks immediately after surgery to be quite stressful.  Many patients who have undergone plastic surgery will choose to remain out of the public eye until these unsightly blemishes have diminished.  However, cloistering yourself up is not the only solution – there are several ways to approach the plastic surgery healing process that will minimize the unappealing aspects.

Try Accessorizing – Compression Garments Work Wonders

Many surgeries require compression garments for the first few days or weeks following the procedure, for medical reasons.  Those patients undergoing breast augmentation will need to adhere to specific instructions regarding the type of bra and length of wear immediately after the surgery.  Discuss with your doctor the most appropriate type of compression garment for your needs.  It is common to have to wear a compression garment or special bra continuously for about a week following the surgery, and some surgeries (abdominal, liposuction, breast surgery) will require continued wear for up to a month or more following the surgery.  The medical benefits of compression garments will be described by your doctor, and these include reduced risk of blot clots, swelling and increased chance that the treated area will heal appropriately.  These are not the only benefits, as the compression garment will slim down the treated area, making clothes fit better and the negative effects of the healing process much less noticeable.

The best resource for finding out which compression garment is right for you is your doctor.  Here are some tips for choosing garments specific to your surgery:

Facelift: This surgery can be rough on a very sensitive area of the body.  Because of this, you’ll want to look for a cushioned hat that has ties to wrap around the head, and special facial bands that will be recommended by your doctor.

Breast Surgery: The bra that you choose for post-operation wear should have soft, padded cups and wide shoulder straps.  The clasp should be in the front, and you should never choose a bra with underwire.  Ensure that the fabric is light and breathable, and made without seams.

Blepharoplasty: Wear large and wide glasses with sides that wrap around, in order to protect from light damage.

Abdominal, Arm or Leg Surgery: Your doctor will usually recommend that pull-on garments be purchased, and that the garments be periodically replaced by different sizes in order to accommodate the healing process.

Makeup is a Miracle-Worker

Concealer or camouflage makeup is best used on surgeries that produced scars, bruises or swelling.  High-quality makeup can cover even the darkest and most noticeable blemishes, including age spots, birth marks and more.  Discuss with your doctor the best line of camouflage makeup to use, and you may find that your dermatologist or plastic surgery office offers a specially formulated line.  Your doctor will also give you instructions on how to best apply the makeup to the affected areas to maximize on results.

Options for Skin Changes and More

You may notice that your skin goes through a rainbow of color changes after surgery, which can include blue, black, green, purple, yellow and grey.  Scars may retain their redness or pink color well into the healing process.  The makeup that you purchase should be specially designed to deal with these medical issues, and will often include medicinal ingredients to help you heal faster.  There are a variety of options for your makeup, including concealer, camouflage treatment, cream, powder and more.

Talk to your doctor about the variety of aesthetic options that you have to make your healing process smoother.  The number of garments, makeup and other items out there is large, so it is only a matter of seeking out the right ones for your individual situation.