How to Make Room For Cosmetic Surgery Recovery in Your Busy Life
There is a necessary recovery period following any kind of surgery. This time of convalescence may remove you from your job and some aspects of your social life, but it’s important if you are to get to 100% as soon as possible. This reality is no different with recovery from cosmetic surgery, so if you are thinking about having one or more procedures, it’s important that you factor in this important variable.
People recovering from plastic surgery may want to tell the world about the work that has been done, or they might want to keep it a secret. There are many more motivations for these feelings than can be described here, but all of them are valid because they’re important to the person in recovery. Depending on the surgery performed, however, and the degree of privacy the patient wants to enjoy, more or less recovery time may be appropriate.
Most simple plastic surgeries require at least one week of recovery time before returning to life as usual. Each patient is different, so these numbers are not set in stone, but they’re generally good for simple breast reductions and augmentations (both male and female), arm lifts, and facial laser surgery. It’s always good to consult with your doctor before returning to life as usual, but the fact that your breasts will be hidden beneath your clothes, your face will have only minor visible signs of work, and your arms can be covered, all of these can result in recovery times that are not overly long.
Recovery times start to get longer when you have facial surgery and/or liposuction. In most cases, you’ll be able to return to work only a few days after liposuction, if not sooner, but it’s best to refrain from hard work for a period of two weeks or longer, depending on your case. Facial surgeries like face, brow, and eyelid lifts may require two weeks out of the spotlight because most people don’t want their facial recovery to be visible among friends or in the workplace. It’s also good to recovery in a setting where you may have to react to unexpected things. At home you’ll also avoid stress, which can hinder recovery.
The so-called Mommy Makeover, breast augmentation with lift, tummy tuck, and body lifts will all require longer recovery times, sometimes three to four weeks or longer. Obviously these procedures require a greater level of changes to the body, as they cover larger areas and are meant to create a significantly different final appearance.
“Expect to take 7-10 days of from work after a tummy tuck,” says Dr. Gary D. Breslow of The Breslow Center for Plastic Surgery. “However, swelling may persist for another 4-6 weeks. Patients who undergo a breast augmentation or lift can generally return to all their normal activities – including exercise – after 8 weeks.”
It’s also important that the affected body areas be allowed to recover in peace, as damage to these convalescing body areas could be much more harmful than injury after smaller cosmetic procedures.
Some people find it hard to take the time off work or to step back from normal family life, but if cosmetic surgery is important to you, you’ll have to find the time. After all, this is an investment in yourself which will affect the rest of your life! Take the time you need to get back on your feet and better than ever.