Beauty Doc Blog

If you have a plastic surgery procedure planned in the near future, you may want to read this.

You will prepare yourself physically, according to your plastic surgeon’s recommendation. This may include smoking cessation for the two week period prior to surgery, or ensuring you are taking the necessary vitamins and supplements to ensure optimal healing after surgery.

However, cosmetic enhancement procedures are so much more than a physical surgery. It can also be a very emotional experience that you should prepare for. The emotional aspect of plastic surgery can be positive – the excitement and anticipation of finally having that reconstructive surgery or breast enhancement procedure. The emotional aspect of plastic surgery can also be negative – dismay at the bruising, swelling and discomfort post surgery, or depression as you work through the recovery phase.

Rest assured, there are several easy steps you can take to make your post-surgical outlook positive and as stress free as possible.

Remember that knowledge is power, so you should do all you can to ask as many questions of your plastic surgeon as is necessary until you feel 100% comfortable. Understanding the recovery time and the expected side effects post-surgery will make it easier to deal with.

Be Prepared

Get all your personal affairs in order the week before surgery. The less you have to worry about when you return home, the better you will feel emotionally. Some of my recommendations include the following:

Pay all your bills for the next 1-2 months now. Not having to worry about finances and household matters will be one less thing to worry about after surgery.

Arrange for a babysitter for your children for at least one full week following surgery (2-3 weeks for more extensive procedures such as a full tummy tuck)

Clean your house from top to bottom. Not only will this mean that your house will be in great shape when you return home, and can be left for awhile, but it also gives you something to do the few days before surgery to spend some of that nervous energy! If you really find your time is limited, hire a cleaning service.
Stock your fridge and shelves – make sure you will have everything you need for at least a 2 week period. As I mentioned above, not having to worry about having lunch stuff for the kids or food for your pets will make your recovery that much less stressful.

Go shopping! Buy yourself some comfortable clothings and loungewear for post-surgery comfort. Purchase loose fitting yoga pants or sweatpants and a few loose fitting tees that go on and come off easily. Stay away from snug fitting clothing for a few weeks – these will only accentuate swelling and make you feel worse. You might also want to buy yourself a pretty new robe.

Remember that plastic surgery is like a caterpillar. It takes a few weeks before you turn into a beautiful butterfly!

Fill your prescriptions. Your plastic surgeon may give you a prescription for post surgical medications. Fill these beforehand and also pick up some pain relievers that you may need.

Take your picture! Sometimes it is difficult to remember exactly what your body looked like before the surgery. If you have a recent picture, taken a few days before surgery, it will be much easier for you to gauge the changes after surgery, when the swelling and bruising subsides.

Take a Spa Day – this may be the most important of all! Go spend some down time at the spa before your surgery. Have a manicure and pedicure so your nails are perfect for several weeks post surgery. Indulge in a relaxing massage. Refrain from having a facial or body treatment if it involves areas that are being treated during your surgery.

Remember that it is temporary – My mother always used to say that it was easier to ensure something, when you knew it would not last forever. You may come home sore, bruised and swollen… but within a few days and for all the days following, you will look and feel better with each passing day.