Cosmetic Surgery in San Diego

After you undergo cosmetic surgery, your body needs to heal. Oddly, a lot of patients aren’t prepared for the recovery process. They’re often surprised to learn that they’ll need supervision – for at least 24 hours and often longer – and their mobility will be limited. If you’re planning to have plastic surgery done, you need to be prepared. Below, we’ll provide you with a framework of what you can expect while your body heals.

Waking Up

Many procedures require deep anesthesia. When you awake, you’ll feel extremely groggy. You may also feel mounting discomfort or pain. If you do, inform a nurse so you can receive a pain reliever. When the anesthesia begins wearing off, you’ll be able to drink fluids. Before you’re discharged, your cosmetic surgeon will want to schedule a follow up appointment.

Overnight

All surgical procedures carry a risk of complications. Many doctors will want you to stay overnight so they can monitor your progress. If bleeding or other issues occur, the surgeon will be nearby and can react instantly to resolve the problem.

Discharged

When you arrive home after being discharged from the recovery facility, you should plan to have someone stay with you for another night. This is due to your lack of mobility. Even if you can walk on your own and perform minor chores, doing so is highly discouraged. You’ll need someone to prepare food and medications, help you to visit the restroom and watch for any signs of complications from the surgery.

You can either hire a nurse who has experience in caring for patients who have recently undergone cosmetic surgery or you can ask a friend (though most surgeons will suggest that you hire a nurse). The lack of privacy will be inconvenient, but don’t underestimate the benefit of having someone available.

Surviving Post-Op And Enjoying The Results

Follow your surgeon’s instructions as closely as possible. While resting at home, you may feel that you’re ready to start exercising again. You’ll be tempted to do household chores; if anything, to break the monotony. You might want to lift heavy items. If your surgeon discourages any of these things, don’t do them. During recovery, you can still develop blood clots and cause swelling. You can even tear stitches from attempting to move heavy objects.

You can avoid many of the complications that can occur after plastic surgery simply by following your doctor’s advice. That means taking your medications on schedule and keeping your body well-hydrated. If you’re instructed to keep your head elevated to lessen swelling, do so whenever possible. Most problems – including nausea, pain, bleeding and even fevers – happen when patients don’t take their cosmetic surgeon’s post-op counsel. When your body has healed and you’re enjoying the results of the procedure, you’ll be glad you did.

Despite what many people believe, not every person is qualified to undergo plastic surgery. There are certain prerequisites that need to be satisfied. Ultimately, candidacy is based upon the health of the patient. The better the patient’s health, the better candidate they make. Below, we’ll explore a few potential health issues and offer tips on how you can be a better candidate for cosmetic surgery.

Your Physical Health

Plastic surgery is still surgery. Though it may seem glamorous, most procedures require incisions and anesthesia. Like many surgical procedures, cosmetic surgery has inherent risks that are made worse by health problems. For example, if you’re a habitual smoker or you’re severely overweight, you’ll be more susceptible to problems such as excess bleeding and infections. The same is true if you have severe allergies, diabetes, or alarmingly high cholesterol levels.

If you have health problems, they don’t necessarily preclude you from having a procedure done. For example, while smoking isn’t conducive to plastic surgery, your doctor may suggest that you simply quit a month before he performs the procedure. The key is that you inform your surgeon about these factors. You’ll also be asked to provide your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking.

Your Mental Health

Many cosmetic surgeons consider a patient’s mental health as important as their physical health. A patient can be completely healthy physically, but still make a poor candidate for plastic surgery because of a variety of mental or emotional issues. For example, if a patient is coping with depression, anxiety or hypertension, that person will not be a good candidate. Even in cases in which a patient is dealing with higher levels of stress than normal, many doctors will recommend postponing the procedure until the stress has been relieved or eliminated.

Motivation And Expectations

Ideal candidates are those who understand the risks involved, are prepared for the discomfort they’ll experience during the recovery process and are motivated by the right reasons. Patients shouldn’t be pursuing cosmetic surgery to impress other people. Instead, they should be doing it to boost their own self-image. Good candidates should also have a clear grasp about what to expect from the procedure. After all, there are limitations to what plastic surgery can accomplish.

A lot of would-be patients approach cosmetic surgery on a whim. They fail to consider the risks, expense and resulting discomfort during the recovery stage. In truth, these patients make poor candidates. To be an ideal candidate for these procedures, you should be in good physical and mental health, have reasonable expectations and be inspired to feel better about yourself.