Robert M. Wald, Jr., MD - The Aesthetic Institute
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Orange County | Fullerton, CA

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Category: Recovery

How to Prepare Your Home for Your Post-Surgery Recovery

5 Minute Read: 

Doctor speaking to two people during a home visit.

No matter what type of surgery you’re scheduled to have, it will take some time for you to recover and mend. And what better place to recover than the comfort of your own home. After all, home is one of the finest locations to recover from all life’s obstacles. Even though these scenarios are not how we would like to spend our time at home, having a safe and comfortable place for healing is reassuring. Therefore, it’s essential to prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery. To help you do this, we’ve prepared simple tips in this article. They will help you make your home a clean and comfortable environment to aid in your full recovery.

Pro Tips to Prepare Your Home for Your Post-Surgery Recovery

When it comes to post-surgery recovery, it’s highly recommended to adjust your living environment to make it more pleasant and accessible. Operations such as breast augmentation or even facelift surgery will make you sore and prevent you from doing many everyday things for a while.

Two surgeons in an OR doing a surgery

No matter how minor or routine your surgery will be, you will need to recover from it for a while.

To help you have a quicker and easier recovery, we’ve put together some recommendations on preparing your home. So once you’re back from your surgery, you’ll be able to relax and solely focus on your recovery.

Make Sure Your Home Is Spotlessly Clean

To aid with your rehabilitation, your home should be clean and cozy. Resting in a clean environment also aids in the prevention of undesirable bacteria near the healing wound. Try to deep clean the house right before the procedure to create a refreshing environment.

Even after non-invasive procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, it’s crucial to return to a clean and disinfected home. Make sure to clean your bathrooms thoroughly, wash your bedding, dust, vacuum, mop, and empty the sink of dirty dishes.

You might want to consider hiring a cleaning service to freshen up your living area after surgery. This way, you’ll allow your body to relax while still maintaining a healthy environment for your smooth recovery. However, if you are physically willing and able to manage minor cleaning on your own during the post-surgery stage (although we don’t recommend it), make sure you have enough cleaning products on hand.

Declutter Your Space

The next step in preparing your home for your post-surgery recovery is decluttering. So take a good look around your home and see if there are things you don’t regularly use that you could get rid of to make extra room.

Woman carrying three boxes and moving away from a pile of things

Decluttering is a great way to prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery.

The main goal of decluttering your home is to try to clear the space and make everything more accessible during your recovery. Make sure to go through your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry and throw out products about to expire. Tossing them before surgery will help you avoid any unintentional food-related diseases.

Restock!

After you’ve gotten rid of any old or undesired products in the pantry, go ahead and replenish them with new and fresh items. This is especially important if you’re going to recover alone and have no one to shop or cook for you.

The best idea is to stock up on frozen foods that can be quickly reheated in the microwave. You might wish to make some meals ahead of time and freeze them for later usage while you’re recuperating.

In fact, buy everything you need ahead of time—for example, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee, etc. The last thing you want after your breast lift is to run to the grocery store for basic supplies.

Spruce Up Your Living Space

The simplest way to prepare your home for post-surgery recovery is to spruce it up. Simply purchasing a few indoor plants such as Aloe or a Jade Plant before your procedure will help. According to research, indoor plants may contribute to a speedier recovery period and better air quality. 

They also add a welcome environment and a nice touch of green to your living space. Just make sure you do your homework on caring for your plants before the surgery and provide instructions for anyone who may be assisting you during your recovery.

Rearrange Your Furniture

Another essential thing to take care of and make your post-surgery recovery easier is to rearrange your furnishings to create open passageways between the rooms you’ll need to visit

Depending on the type of surgery you had, you might need to use a wheelchair or other walking aids for a while. If that’s the case, consider the size of the device and design a walkway around it.

Also, after some surgeries, such as a tummy tuck, you won’t be able to reach upward or downward to any amount. This means you’ll have to position objects around your home at the appropriate height. A good idea is to go over your daily plan and place everything you’ll need for eating, grooming, and entertainment on a countertop or other easily accessible location.

A man and a woman moving a large gray sofa

Consider hiring professionals to assist you with moving bulky items and furniture pieces in your home.

However, moving furniture around your home on your own can be pretty challenging, no matter how fit you might be. Also, it’s essential to save your strength before the surgery and not risk injuring yourself. To avoid this, the team from bestmoversinflorida.com suggests hiring professional movers to help you move bulky items and transport them.

Your Post-Surgery Recovery Will Be Easier if You Prepare Your Home!

We hope our advice helps you prepare your home for your post-surgery recovery. If you make small efforts and adjustments, you’ll make the entire process that much easier and quicker.

And if you’re still having doubts about plastic surgery, schedule a consultation with Orange County’s finest plastic surgeon. They’ll be able to answer any questions you might have and help you decide what options are best for you.

How to Sleep Better After Breast Augmentation Surgery

6 Minute Read: 

Woman hiding under a quilt.

Our bodies need time to rest and recover after any surgical intervention. Breast augmentation is no exception. However, knowing how you need to adapt your sleep after such a surgery takes time and preparation in advance. 

Therefore, to ensure that you will get enough rest and your body will recover as it should, we made a guide on how to sleep better after breast augmentation surgery. We will go over the importance of sleep, how it helps your body, and what you can do to have plenty of it — especially in the first nights after surgery, when good rest is essential.

Why Is Sleep Important After Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Taking it easy after surgery is not enough to help your recovery. Rest is also essential, but you need to allow your body to heal itself and rejuvenate, and the best healing tool that your body has is sleep. During sleep, your body increases blood flow, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach wounded tissues. Furthermore, your body releases prolactin and growth hormones as you sleep, which aids in the reduction of inflammation. Hence, you can also use sleep to relieve pain. It is, therefore, necessary to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep each night if you want to recuperate more quickly. Think of it like this: if a healthy body might be well-rested after eight hours of sleep, a healing body will definitely need more.

Unfortunately, it can be hard to get enough hours of sleep right after surgery. It can be hard to find a comfortable position or to ignore all the emotions that can sometimes overwhelm you. However, there are things that you can do to at least raise your chances of having a long, good night’s sleep. So, let us see how you can help yourself sleep better after breast augmentation surgery. 

Get good sleep written in scrabble letters.

Good sleep helps your body heal faster after injuries or illnesses. It goes the same with surgeries.

Prepare and Practice

Before any surgery, you need to prepare your mind and body for what will come after the surgery. 

Before breast augmentation, in particular, you need to practice the sleeping position that will allow you to sleep unturned. Yes, unturned is the perfect word to explain how you need to sleep after breast augmentation surgery, especially if you love to sleep on your stomach or your side. 

These postures might put a strain on your implants and alter the appearance of your breasts once they have healed. Therefore, the best position to sleep in is on your back. And because readjusting your sleeping position can be difficult, start practicing sleeping on your back at least one week before surgery

To begin with, you can use pillows to position your body correctly before sleep and ensure you don’t turn. For instance, you can put one pillow under each arm to keep you from rolling on one side. Then, you can put a pillow under your knees to keep your back aligned with the rest of your body and avoid lower back pains. And very important: correct your position every time you catch yourself rolling on your stomach or side. Perseverance is the only way to ensure that you adapt to your new sleeping position. 

How and Why Should You Sleep on Your Back After Surgery?

Even if we mentioned that the best sleeping position after breast augmentation surgery is on your back, we need to elaborate on the subject. 

Sleeping flat on your back, for example, will do you no good. It can put pressure on your chest and prevent your muscles from relaxing. Furthermore, lifting yourself from the bed will tense your chest muscles, which is not recommended soon after surgery. 

Instead, sleep on your back with your upper body elevated at a 30 to a 45-degree angle. Your breasts will be less tense as a result, and blood will circulate more efficiently. 

Maintain this sleeping position for at least two to three weeks, after which you might be allowed to sleep on your side. Just make sure you get the green light from your surgeon. 

Woman wearing a pillow with a belt.

It might be hard to sleep better after breast augmentation surgery, but sleeping on your back can chase away insomnia.

Tips That Can Help You Sleep Better

Aside from sleeping on your back, there are a few more things you can do to improve your sleep and heal.

1. Wear Supportive Bras

After surgery, your surgeon will recommend you wear a special bra, even at night. This bra supports and keeps breasts in place and reduces swelling and tension around the incisions. 

2. Avoid Alcohol, Caffeine, and Smoking

All three can create a disruption in your sleep and slow down your recovery. If you want to drink coffee, you can switch to decaffeinated for the time being. When it comes to cigarettes and alcohol, remember that your body needs to be strong and healthy to recover quickly, and these two intoxicate your body rather than aid it.

3. Use Medications

The pain you might feel after surgery might sometimes keep you from sleeping. As a result, you will be prescribed pain medication by your surgeon so that you don’t have to endure too much pain. If necessary, ask for a sleeping aid, but use it only if nothing else helps you sleep better.  

4. Stay Active

Moving your body after surgery is encouraged from day one. You can start by walking, taking a few steps around the home, and gradually increasing the distance. Luckily for you, the diversity of the L.A. landscape will quickly incentivize you to “get your steps” in Los Angeles. 

In other words, you can find lots of fun ways to stay active here when you regain some strength, especially during the springtime. For instance, you can go whale watching with your friends or do some light exercises in the park. 

Spending more time outside will help you get a better night’s sleep.

5. Take a Warm Shower

Nothing can relax and prepare you for bed better than a warm shower. However, keep in mind that you should ask your surgeon when it is OK to take a shower. Also, avoid baths in the first few weeks. 

Person walking on a pathway.

Staying active will help you sleep better and recuperate faster after surgery.

6. Stay Positive

Besides thinking of ways to sleep better and help your body heal faster after surgery, you also need to think about ways to heal your mind. Sleep might be severely affected if you cannot handle your emotions and stay positive, as surgery is a traumatic experience for both the mind and the body. So, if it bothers you that you can’t sleep on your stomach or can’t drink coffee, for example, avoiding these activities is only temporary. Therefore, instead of thinking about what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. Watch a good movie, read a book, eat your favorite meal, and spend time with loved ones. These things can keep your mind off your current state, help you stay positive, and, in turn, help you sleep better after breast augmentation surgery. 

Exercise Timeline After Facial Plastic Surgery

6 Minute Read: 

A group of women exercising representing the exercise timeline after plastic surgery

*Model

Facial plastic surgery is one of the best ways to instantly eradicate the visual symptoms that years of aging left on your face. Nowadays, it’s one of the most popular ways to transform your appearance dramatically. Most people who decide to have facial surgery to achieve a more youthful look are interested in staying healthy and fit. In fact, many of them feel inspired to head to the gym after their surgery instantly. However, this is one of the mistakes that should be avoided at all costs. So, before your great plastic surgeon takes away several years off your face, it’s essential to know what to expect and when you can get back to your normal activities. Therefore, we’ve prepared an exercise timeline after facial plastic surgery to help you have an easier and safer recovery.

How to Heal Faster After Facial Plastic Surgery?

No matter what type of cosmetics procedure you had, you’ll first need to go through the recovery process to get to desired results. And if you thought that trying to calm your anxiety before your surgery was the worst, you were wrong. Recovery is the most uncomfortable part of the process, but it’s worth it. At the end of the day, you’ll look and feel better than ever.

A person with pink gloves injecting Botox into a woman's forehead

*Model:  Facial plastic surgery is one of the best ways to remove years off your face and instantly raise your confidence.

Even though recovery after facial plastic surgery can take a while, there are ways to shorten the healing time and ease your discomfort:

  • Make sure that someone is with you for the first 24 hours after your plastic surgery. They can help you get home from the hospital and ensure that you follow all postoperative instructions.
  • Avoid direct sun exposure.
  • To minimize swelling, it’s important to rest with your head at an elevated level. You can also apply cool packs to reduce swelling.
  • It goes without saying that you have to eat right and adequately hydrate yourself. If you don’t give your body the nutrients it needs, you’re risking complications.
  • Take only pain medications that your doctor recommended and follow all wound care instructions. 
  • Don’t use makeup for at least one week after your surgery. Also, don’t color or bleach your hair for at least a month.
  • Wear clothes that button in front. 

Exercising after facial plastic surgery

Whether you had facial liposuction or facelift surgery, getting back to your exercising routine will have to wait. If you start exercising too soon after your surgery, you risk some serious complications and damage. 

Why Wait to Exercise After Facial Plastic Surgery?

Many people wrongfully think that, as most workouts target muscles from the neck down, it’s safe for them to jump back into their old routine right after their procedures. However, this could be pretty dangerous.

Let’s take facelift surgery as an example. It’s a major surgery that involves creating an incision along the neck or lower face. And like any major surgery, it requires significant downtime and rest. Doing exercise, heavy lifting, or any strenuous activity can increase swelling, bleeding, and inflammation. 

This will not only slow down the healing process and make your recovery more difficult, but it can also increase the risk of infections. Putting too much stress on the incision sites will also increase the risk of scarring. It can even cause sutures to reopen. 

A plastic surgeon performing facial plastic surgery on a woman

*Models:  No matter what type of plastic surgery you had, it’s important you return to your workout routine in a manner that doesn’t jeopardize your results and, more importantly, your health.

The last thing you want is corrective surgery. Therefore, avoid any forms of exercise, even the gentlest ones, until your body is ready. As the experienced team from DubaiPT states, it’s always important to listen to your body and follow your surgeon’s advice. They’ll know when it’s safe for you to go back to your exercise routine.

When Is It Safe to Exercise After Facial Plastic Surgery?

Now that you know why avoiding workouts is essential, you are probably wondering for how long. The answer is not simple, as everyone heals at their own pace. Therefore, it’s important to listen to your body and your surgeon. We’ve prepared a timeline to give you a rough idea of what to expect after waking up from your surgery. 

1 to 3 Days After your surgery

The first few days after facial surgery are the most painful and uncomfortable, so resting is of the utmost importance. Make sure to give your body what it needs, and don’t get out of bed unless it’s absolutely necessary. You can expect swelling and bruising to start subsiding after 2 to 3 days.

During this time, it’s imperative to avoid strenuous movements such as bending over or inverting. However, from day three, you can start with light walking. It’s actually recommended since it helps promote blood flow which is crucial for healing. 

1 to 2 Weeks After Your Surgery

As your bruising and swelling subside, you’ll start to feel less discomfort. You might even feel good enough to go back to work and resume your everyday activities. Of course, only if your doctor approves. 

Even though you’ll certainly feel much better, it’s still recommended to keep physical activities light to moderate. Make sure to have daily walks, and as you continue to feel better, you can slowly increase the length.

2 to 4 Weeks After Your Surgery

Two weeks after your surgery, you can expect to feel much better physically. In fact, at this point, you might even get permission from your doctor to add gym workouts to your schedule. They’ll let you know what type of exercise is safe for you to do. For instance, light use of a stationary bicycle or walking on a treadmill shouldn’t cause any issues.

Even though you might feel ok, it’s still important to avoid strenuous exercises such as weightlifting or running. Also, activities that require you to invert your head below your waist are forbidden. Continue avoiding pools, too, as there’s still a risk of infection.

4 to 6 Weeks After Your Surgery

By week five after surgery, most people are approved by their doctors to return to their routines at about 75% effort. However, it’s still recommended to continue avoiding strenuous activities until you’re fully recovered. Usually, that happens somewhere between 6 to 8 weeks from your surgery. 

A woman wearing a white top lifting weights

*Model: It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover from facial plastic surgery and go back to high-impact workouts and strenuous activities.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, exercising too soon after surgery can not only mess up your results but have severe consequences for your health and wellbeing. Therefore, make sure to take plenty of rest and give your body the downtime it needs. In return, you’ll feel and look better than ever before! So, wait no more, schedule a consultation, and let a knowledgeable doctor turn your dreams into reality. And don’t forget to follow the exercise timeline after facial plastic surgery!

Tips to Speed Up Your Liposuction Recovery

5 Minute Read: 

A red apple and a meter.

Men and women who wish to shape and trim their bodies choose liposuction to eliminate undesirable fatty deposits. After a liposuction procedure, you will be eager to flaunt your trim shape straight away. Unfortunately, your freedom and safety to do so are limited due to the necessary recuperation time. The body will need time to rest and recover, much like after any other procedure. While there is no way to avoid downtime following this cosmetic surgery, there are strategies to manage it carefully. We have gathered the best tips to speed up your liposuction recovery.

Liposuction Recovery – The Key to Excellent Results

There are various methods to approach the removal of excess adipose tissue. Modern liposuction provides minimal tissue destruction, but we cannot avoid it altogether. As you pump the fat out, the surrounding tissue suffers damage, which triggers the body’s reaction. Swelling and bruising during the recovery period are expected. However, since liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure, recovery will be quick, but it mainly depends on you.

A surgeon in a scrub doing liposuction on a woman.

Liposuction is a standard procedure now, but it demands a bit of recovery time afterward.

Recovery after liposuction is the time it takes for the body to get rid of swelling, bruises, and other consequences of the procedure, as well as for your body to get into its final shape. The correction results appear in their true form in three to six months at the earliest, and the exact time will depend on several factors.

How Does Recovery After Liposuction Go?

The First 1-7 Days – When Swelling and Bruising Occur 

Swelling occurs a few hours after the intervention but reaches its peak in a few days. In some cases, discomfort and pain at the site of the intervention are possible. The swelling on the abdomen, thighs, and back is especially pronounced due to removing a large number of fat cells.

About 8 to 14 Days After Liposuction  

Postoperative discomfort begins to disappear gradually. 

It is difficult to determine when exactly this period will occur since the regeneration rate is very individual and determined by several body characteristics. In addition, how quickly the swelling will go down depends on the region where the liposuction was performed. For example, swelling on the legs lasts the longest, so it is imperative to respect prescriptions and recommendations in this case.

Over the Next 15 to 20 Days 

The body structure can change in the area of intervention 

The skin becomes uneven, but don’t worry – this is a normal occurrence and passes quickly. The bumps smooth out over time, and everything falls into place.

How to Speed Up Recovery After Liposuction?

We’ve already discussed how crucial the postoperative time is for every treatment, including liposuction. As a result, it is essential to familiarize yourself with what awaits you following this intervention and advice that will make your healing quicker and easier.

Plan Your Rest Time

Even if you leave the clinic the next day, you should set aside at least a few days for rest and recovery. Specialists recommend returning to work a few days after the procedure, at the earliest. Also, here are some things to consider related to the case:

  • Ask your surgeon how much time you need to rest. 
  • The recovery period depends on the size of the region operated on. So, if you have done liposuction on a more substantial part of your body, you will need more time to rest.
  • Prepare the house and bedroom before the procedure. A pleasant atmosphere together with a comfortable mattress will make your recovery easier. 
A woman in bed, representing ways to speed up your liposuction recovery.

Lying in bed and resting is the best thing to speed up your recovery.

Don’t Forget to Wear Compression Underwear

After liposuction, the patient must wear special compression clothing. The even pressure of this special garment will prevent fluid retention in the subcutaneous area, stimulate the disappearance of swelling and promote fast healing.

You should usually wear bandages for two weeks, while compression underwear takes a little longer. In addition, we recommend you wear light and cotton clothes.

Start Moving as Soon as Possible

Try to get on your feet as soon as possible and start walking. It is important to begin moving slowly because walking will promote healing. However, despite the need to move, you can return to exercise and more demanding physical activity only after 6-8 weeks.

A woman in a yoga pose with her arms raised

Ease into being active again.

If you have a demanding task coming up, such as moving, it’s essential to your recovery to avoid lifting any heavy items. Experts from JB Movers recommend that heavy-lifting should always be left to professionals.

Avoid Salty and Spicy Foods to Speed Up Your Liposuction Recovery

Salt and spices are known to cause fluid retention in the body, which slows recovery. That’s why you stay away from salty and spicy foods for at least two weeks. Patients are usually given a liquid diet for a day or two after liposuction. Following that, eating cleaner and healthier by adding vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients can assist the body in recovering swiftly and without complications. The best thing to do is continue on a clean, healthy diet until you feel well recovered. 

A vegetable salad on a plate.

A lot of your recovery relies on your diet. So, eat healthily to speed up your liposuction recovery.

What Should We Not Do When It Comes to Recovery After Liposuction?

In addition to recommendations on what to do, recovery after liposuction includes specific prohibitions, but they are only temporary.

We have already mentioned avoiding starting with more intense physical efforts too soon after the intervention. In addition, you will have to postpone going to the sauna and the pool for a while.

It is also advisable to give up bad habits such as alcohol and cigarettes. It is necessary to get rid of them at least temporarily, and ideally – forever.

Since the skin in the operated areas should be carefully protected, it is not allowed to go to the tanning beds or the beach. Ultraviolet rays negatively affect the formation of scar tissue and lead to hyperpigmentation.

Final Thoughts

Opting for plastic surgery means having to go through all the stages before you reach a final, desired result. And liposuction is no exception. You should always make sure you are ready for a procedure before you make the final call. And, once you do, our tips to speed up your liposuction recovery will hopefully help you along. Good luck!

Exercise After Plastic Surgery – How Soon Is too Soon?

6 Minute Read: 

A woman measuring her waist, wearing gym clothes

*Model

One of the most common questions patients ask after plastic surgery is when they can return to their regular workout routines. Although you may conclude that you have undergone surgery to feel better about yourself and, thus, should continue working out to feel even better, there should be a period of time during which you must refrain from physical activity. You must allow your body enough time to recuperate. Therefore, keeping your exercise regimen undisrupted cannot be your priority during that time. But, how soon can you exercise after plastic surgery? Read on to find out.

Listen to Your Doctor

Before we even begin discussing when and how you can continue working out, you have to understand something. Following your doctor’s orders to the T is of the utmost importance. They don’t set the rules arbitrarily. Each body and every procedure is different. Therefore, you have to go to all your scheduled follow-up appointments. That way, your doctor will assess your healing process and provide you with further guidance. 

A woman doing light yoga

*Model
Every procedure and every body are different. Your doctor will track your healing process and tell you how to resume working out.

While doctors are aware that some physical activity can help accelerate the healing process and further improve surgical results, you have to know that the amount of physical activity will depend on a few factors. Firstly, how much exercise you will be able to withstand will depend on the invasiveness of the surgery. For example, tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and liposuction affect your core. Thus, exercise during recovery will be very difficult or impossible. As for breast surgeries or facial rejuvenation procedures, they will also come with a set of rules to follow. Moreover, how much you will be able to do will depend on your own internal healing process. 

So, you must listen to your doctor’s instructions. And when they recommend that you slowly begin getting back to your routine, it’s the time to be very nitpicky. Make sure you know how slow is slow enough. Also, if they say light exercise, what exactly constitutes light. Don’t rush! As the experts from dubaipt.com say, there is something called muscle memory. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry about getting back in shape after a few weeks of resting. You will get there pretty quickly.

First Several Weeks After the Procedure

Surgeons agree that during the first 48 hours after surgery, patients shouldn’t be overly active. Regardless of the extent of the surgery, be it a minor brow-lift or you went for a full-blown Mommy Makeover, you must take it easy the first two days. 

After that, you should start slowly. You can expect six to eight weeks to pass before you can go back to the exercise routines you practiced before the procedure. During this time, you will first start walking, then proceed onto more intensive aerobic exercises. In the end, you can return to resistance weight training. Again, there is no need to push yourself. You will be fit again soon after you start moving your body.  

A woman walking, showing an example of a way to exercise after plastic surgery

*Model
Several short walks a day are an excellent way to start exercising after plastic surgery.

Here is an example of what the first few weeks of your recovery should look like:

  • 1st week: Three light, five-minute walks a day
  • 2nd week: You can increase the duration of your walks to ten minutes
  • 3rd week: You can have three 15-minute walks a day
  • 4th week: Take four 15-minute walks, and if your surgeon agrees, start with some light routines
  • 5th week: Slowly go back to your exercise routine
  • 6th week: Start increasing the intensity.

Surgeons typically advise their patients to do low-impact exercises when they begin easing back to their workout routines. Light yoga, stretching, and walking will improve blood circulation, which will help the healing. Moreover, it could reduce the possibility of complications such as blood clots. 

Listen to Your Body

Being in tune with your body is crucial. We all have to learn to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us. Therefore, if you feel any pain or discomfort, you must stop with the activity straightaway. Understandably, it can be frustrating if something you did with ease before the procedure becomes nearly impossible. But there is no room for frustration. Your body has gone through something demanding, and you have to give it time to recover and regain strength. Then, you will be able to do everything you did before without any issues. 

It’s critical you don’t jump into your pre-procedure routine immediately. When it comes to exercise after plastic surgery, it is always best to work slowly to increase your energy levels and improve your endurance. 

Supportive Garments Are Beneficial

If your doctor has advised you to get supportive garments, you should do it. And it would be best to wear them during exercise. For instance, a supportive bra is a must after breast procedures. Also, there are special compression garments that patients who have undergone body contouring surgeries should wear while working out. 

A woman wearing a supportive bra

*Model
Supportive garments are necessary after some plastic surgeries.

The Consequences of Exercising too Soon and too Hard After Plastic Surgery

If you stress your body too hard after surgery, you can suffer some consequences. Too vigorous and strenuous exercise too soon after the surgery can negatively impact your healing process. There can be a lot of unnecessary bruising and swelling or fluid buildup. For instance, if you overdo it after a tummy tuck, there could be bleeding or a hematoma. Also, your wound can reopen, which can result in an infection. 

Additionally, if you don’t follow your surgeon’s instructions and exercise inadequately, you can distort the results of your procedure. For example, if you have had breast augmentation surgery and don’t wait an appropriate amount of time before performing chest exercises, the implant can move. 

Exercise After Plastic Surgery Is Beneficial if Done Properly

Your surgeon will recommend that you do some exercise after plastic surgery. It can be helpful for your recovery, but only if you do it correctly. Every responsible surgeon will put your safety first, so it’s in your best interest to follow their instructions. After all, your recovery and the results of the procedure depend on it.

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Robert Wald, MD
100 E. Valencia Mesa Drive, Suite 300
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