If you’re preparing to have plastic surgery and mentally rehearsing what you should do afterward, that’s perfectly natural. It doesn’t matter whether you went through a major transformation or just had a few minor tweaks—there’s something really exciting about change. However, what happens after surgery is just as important as what happens before.
Post-care is incredibly important, and taking the right steps is essential if you hope to make a full recovery. In fact, recovery is where the magic happens, and healing well means looking your best and getting the best possible results from your surgery. It’s important to know not only the do’s but also the don’ts following your surgery. Here are the ones you should keep in mind.
Do: Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions
This might seem obvious— however, you’d be surprised how many people gloss over this incredibly important yet simple step: follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully. Your surgeon will give you specific directions on everything from how to clean your incisions to when to wear compression garments.
Make sure that you follow everything to the last detail if you hope to make a full recovery. Read the entire set of instructions they give you, and ask any questions when in doubt. Don’t be afraid to call and follow up if you’re unclear on certain instructions. No question is considered a stupid question when it comes to your health. When in doubt, double-check—and you can’t go wrong.
Don’t: Go Full Speed Right Away
Even though you might be tempted to get back into the swing of things as fast as possible, this is not a good idea. Getting back to regular life too soon—whether it’s yoga class or going out for cocktails—can lead to disaster. Take it slow and follow your doctor’s orders. Give yourself the time to heal from your surgery, as something as simple as lifting a gallon of milk could cause swelling and ultimately affect your surgical outcome.
Do: Be Patient
Remember, not everyone’s healing journey is the same. It’s incredibly important that you are patient with yourself and don’t expect the same speedy results you may have seen online or heard about from a friend. Instant gratification is not the goal here—healing slow and steady is. Swelling can last for weeks or even months.
Scars can take a year or more to fully mature, so make sure you take your time and stay patient. Don’t obsess over every single contour or angle in the early days. Instead, trust the process and ask your surgeon questions if you have any doubts along the way.
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