Beauty Doc Blog

Patience is a virtue that plastic surgery patients should definitely learn especially when it comes to the recovery phase. After plastic surgery procedures many patients try to resume normal activities too quickly, not realizing that the procedures they have undergone do cause strain on the body and that it is natural for the body to need recovery time.  As an example take a look at a few of the more common plastic surgery procedures and the recovery time required by them.

Abdominoplasty, or the tummy tuck, is a very common procedure. Recovery time from a tummy tuck can take up to four weeks and patients will be advised to take some time off from work during this time period. Heavy activity should be avoided, bruising and discomfort must be tolerated, and all forms of nicotine should be avoided for at least a month after the surgery.

Umbilicoplasty or belly button surgery has a much shorter recovery time. Basically a person can return to normal activity quickly provided they feel up to it.

Breast augmentation is also extremely popular. Patients are usually able to return to work, school or other normal activity within about one week. The scares will last six weeks or longer but will not impede activities.

Labiaplasty, the outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia to reshape the labia, will cause discomfort and swelling for up to two weeks which will impede activity.

Deep chemical peels, especially those made using phenol, require a lengthily recovery time during which a patient should avoid direct sun exposure. In fact, in some instances after a deep chemical peel excessive sun should be avoided for a lifetime.

Liposuction is often not thought of as a procedure requiring recovery but should. The recovery time depends on the extent of the procedure. It can last form two days to two weeks. Sutures can be in place for up to ten days. There will be pain that is temporary, as well as numbness, bruising, and discomfort. However normal activity can be resumed in a matter of a few weeks for most patients.

These time periods required for various procedures are not meant to emphasize or de-emphasize the seriousness of the procedures but simply to encourage patients to be kind to themselves and slow down. They should realize that they need to allow the body reconditioning time. The body will heal itself faster during periods of rest, along with proper nutrition.