There is this stigma when it comes to cosmetic surgery; that for some reason a cosmetic procedure is less intensive than one that is purely medical in nature. Some patients have this notion that they can jump back into their 60 mph lifestyle right after a facelift or whatever it is, expecting not to have lost a step. Of course, every procedure is different, every patient is different, and the way every patient responds to every procedure, invariably, will yield different reactions. When prepping for yours, healthy expectations of how you’ll feel post-op will ensure not only that you give yourself enough time to rest up and recover but that your recently altered features are being set up for long term health and visibility.
How Can I Maintain My Results?
The American Board for Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) calls cosmetic surgery “an investment” and for good reason. You’ve chosen to invest in your appearance for a return on your self-confidence that depends heavily on your results. The sustainability of this investment depends even more heavily then, on your ability to make your results last for as long as possible. To do that, it’s important to play both the long and short game.
What to do Right After Surgery:
Don’t worry about getting right back on the hog after your surgery. That simply is not what is best for your body. Don’t rush anything. One of the most important activities to stay up on during recovery mode is eating. No one said it was a hard recovery. Just an important one. Even if you’re under a little duress or experiencing pain of some kind that makes it difficult to chew or swallow, try to eat something to replenish lost nutrients. Don’t feel pressured to eat too much. That’s likely to do more harm than good. Just eat foods with considerable fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals to rebuild muscle tissue and stabilize bodily functions. Keep drinking water! Staying hydrated is the best way to replenish any fluids lost in the stress of surgery.
Coupled with other more standard recovery practices: Applying ice to sore areas, elevating those areas as befitting, avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, heeding your surgeon’s advice, etc. and you should be back on your feet as soon as possible.
Ensuring Long Term Success:
Anything worth maintaining requires effort; it’s a fact of life. Your excellent surgeon at Jefferson Facial Plastics can only take you so far. Once the procedure is over, it’s up to you to make sure that you can sustain your results long-term. There are steps you can take during post-op that help set the foundation for a healthy lifestyle beyond.
As with most endeavors to prolong physical longevity, healthy diet and regular exercise cannot be overstated. For the same reasons that healthy eating can assist the body’s recovery time after surgery, by consuming the right blend of food you keep your body functioning at a higher level. That means healthier skin and healthier muscle tissue. That, together with a workout regimen that further tones your muscles and strengthens your heart, is a surefire way to preserve your results well beyond post-op. In addition, when caring for your skin, be sure to find a routine to cleanse and moisturize while protecting it from outside stimuli, like UV radiation.
These are all things you can talk about with your surgeon. Even if it’s simply to inquire about what you can do to care for your skin, please call us at 215-503-FACE to set up a consultation with one of our surgeons. When it comes to successful cosmetic surgery, the details are key. Be encouraged to dig deep with our surgeons to find out what you need to know.
