While plastic surgery procedures are much less invasive than ever, they still require a period of rest. It is essential to plan for your recovery, enlist a friend or loved one to help you and keep up with follow-up appointments and phone calls with your surgeon.
Stay busy by keeping yourself occupied with books, magazines, or board games, and avoid binge-watching movies. Try applying ice several times per day to reduce pain and swelling.
Relaxation
The first few days and weeks are crucial to recovering from a major surgery or a minor elective procedure. After surgery, you will receive discharge instructions from your surgeon, including specific guidelines on caring for yourself at home. Taking your doctor’s instructions seriously can help you heal faster and reduce the risk of complications.
For instance, you may be asked to sleep a lot or avoid activities that increase your heart rate, such as running or strenuous exercise. Building relaxation into your daily routine can help you recover more quickly and reminds you that recovery is a continuous process, not an event.
Eat a Healthy Diet
During recovery, your body requires nutrients to heal correctly. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants helps minimize the effects of free radical damage caused by surgery and promotes a smooth healing process.
Stock up on frozen, ready-to-eat meals, pre-cut fresh fruits and vegetables, and canned foods with no added salt or preservatives. After surgery, these convenient meals will help you avoid fast food restaurants and nutrient-poor processed foods.
Eating lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is also essential. Avoid fatty meats that contain saturated and trans fats and dairy products, which can contain excessive sodium. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties, such as avocado, blueberries, and sour cherries, should be included in your diet.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is essential for several reasons. During sleep, the body releases growth hormones that help repair muscle tissue and regenerate cells. Getting enough rest is also vital to maintaining a healthy immune system.
If you are recovering from a cosmetic procedure like liposuction, it is essential to get plenty of sleep. Sleep as much as possible during recovery and follow the same daily routine.
It is also essential to follow the directions Bellevue plastic surgeon gives you. For example, listen if he advises you not to drive or lift over 10 pounds. Following these instructions can help you recover more quickly and avoid complications. They may also help you achieve the results you want sooner.
Stay Hydrated
Although counterintuitive, drinking plenty of water during recovery is essential. Water keeps skin healthy, aids digestion, and helps move nutrients throughout the body. It also prevents blood clots and can help reduce swelling and pain. It’s usually best to avoid caffeinated drinks because they can cause bloating.
Walking around is a good idea in the first week after surgery, even for 5-10 minutes at a time. This gets the blood flowing and can help prevent complications like a blood clot or pneumonia. It’s also an excellent way to keep the muscles moving and promote healthy weight loss. It would help if you continued to eat a balanced diet, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
Be Active
While rest is an integral part of your recovery, you should remain active. Movement helps reduce pain levels, prevents blood clots, and promotes healthy digestion.
It would help if you started slow, with short walks, and gradually increased the distance and duration of your trips outside. Your doctor will give you specific guidelines regarding the amount of activity that’s appropriate for your surgery.
Taking on too much too soon can hinder your recovery and cause more severe complications down the road. Stick to your doctor’s instructions, even if you feel better early on. Your body is still healing and may need a few more weeks to recover before you resume your daily activities. Stick with it, and your recovery will be much smoother in the long run