Post-Operative Care

Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery

For a speedy recovery, follow these postoperative care instructions.

The success of your recovery is just as important as the surgery itself in achieving optimal results. Your recovery depends on some factors beyond your control, such as the type of surgery and the type of anesthesia. However, it also depends on how well you take care of yourself in the post-op period.

To help our patients recover, we provide specific postoperative care instructions before and after your surgery. While these instructions are highly individualized, there are some rules that apply to most of our patients.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this page is meant for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please discuss the details of your treatment with your surgeon during one of your consultations.

The First 48 Hours

The first two days after surgery are usually the most challenging. The effects of anesthesia, IV sedation and pain medication can leave you feeling tired and dizzy. Besides that, postoperative inflammation causes pain and can lower your appetite. Here is what to do during this period for successful recovery:

Have someone drive you back home and stay with you until you can manage on your own. DO NOT attempt to drive yourself home or take a cab.
Focus on getting plenty of rest and sleep for the time being — your body needs a couple of days to recuperate following invasive surgery.
Manage your pain as instructed by your plastic surgeon. This usually entails using hot or cold compresses and taking your prescribed pain medications.
Take other medications as instructed.
Drink plenty of fluids and consume light, nutritious meals. Your appetite will be minimal in the beginning, but it is a good idea to get some nourishment to fuel the healing process.
Do not push yourself. You probably won’t have the energy or focus for strenuous activities. Engaging in them would be putting yourself at risk of injury.

Recovery Tips

After the initial 24-48 hours, you will be gradually returning back to normal. It is important to start slowly introducing physical activity and meals into your daily routine and to stick to your surgeon’s post-op instructions:

Try to eat three light meals a day, if your appetite allows it. If you are experiencing constipation, use a stool softener and make sure you’re drinking enough fluids. Constipation is common after surgery.
Start walking around the house but do rest frequently when you begin to feel exhausted. Avoid exercising, housework and strenuous activity until your doctor says it’s ok.
Avoid smoking and alcohol at least until you have fully recovered. Smoking constricts blood vessels and can slow down healing. Alcohol can interact with your medication and worsen inflammation.
If you were given compression garments, do wear them consistently and only take them off when showering. Compression garments help reduce swelling and bruising.

Wounds & Surgical Drains

Wounds and stitches need to stay dry for the first 48 hours. After that, our team will provide you with adequate dressings and give you detailed instructions on wound care. Incisions need to be cleaned to prevent site infections and minimize scarring. We usually recommend cleaning with warm, soapy water or a saline solution.

Some patients need to have surgical drains placed around the treatment site. These help prevent blood and fluid accumulation. Patients need to empty their drains several times a day. Some patients may need to have their drains for several weeks. Be sure to document the amount of fluid within the drains to help Dr. Naman support your healing process.

What to Look Out For

With any type of surgery, complications can happen in the postoperative period. While a mild fever, bleeding, bruising, swelling and pain are to be expected, any extreme in these symptoms could indicate a problem. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following signs and symptoms:

A fever over 101°F
Excessive drainage or bleeding
Extreme swelling and severe discoloration
Significant pain that isn’t manageable with pain medication
Persistent vomiting

Scarring

Surgery involves incisions and sutures, which inevitably leave a scar. However, a skilled plastic surgeon will make incisions in natural creases and folds to hide scars. Still, proper wound healing and care are necessary to minimize the appearance of scars:

Tension

Avoid adding unnecessary tension to the treatment site, as this can widen the scar. This is why we often recommend post-surgery garments to prevent tissues from stretching incisions.

Massage and moisturize

After your wounds have healed, it’s ok to massage and moisturize the treatment site to ensure proper scar formation. This can help soften and flatten scar tissue in some patients.

Sunscreen

Wear daily sunscreen to prevent discoloration of scar tissue.

To learn more about postoperative care after plastic surgery, contact Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery at (706) 494-7700 or fill out our online appointment form.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Chattahoochee Plastic Surgery