It is always very important to consider the recovery process when you plan your cosmetic surgery. Oftentimes, people avoid thinking about this period because they are very focused on the surgery itself.Due to the elective nature of cosmetic surgery, your physical health plays an important role in your recovery. The various preoperative tests combined with the medical history that you provide us helps to ensure this. Please note that it is imperative that you have no exposure to nicotine for a period of time before and after your surgery.
Dr. Hobar and his staff are a key component of your recovery process. You are also provided with detailed post-operative instructions to help in understanding your recovery.
Always call Dr. Hobar’s office if you have any concern. If you are in doubt about whether or not to call, please contact us. We are here to help you recover and Dr. Hobar is very involved with his patients throughout the recovery process.
Important information for recovery
Know that this information is designed with one goal in mind: to ensure a safe and timely recovery from your cosmetic surgery.
- Remember to take your prescribed medications. You will usually have an antibiotic and a mild steroid. These medications should be taken until they are gone. It is important to take all of them. You might also have a pain medicine or muscle relaxer prescribed to you. Take these if you need them, but do not drive and avoid alcohol while taking these medications.
- Eat small, frequent meals to avoid nausea. If this persists beyond the first day, it is usually due to taking medication on an empty stomach. Your body needs food to heal. Choose foods that are healthy and easy to digest. Lean proteins are a good option as are rice and crackers. Avoid food high in salt as this will exacerbate any post-surgical swelling.
- Move. Do not stay in bed all day. Being inactive inhibits the healing process. Dr. Hobar is a big believer in early activity. In most situations, he wants his patients to resume light to moderate exercise a week after surgery.
- Rest. Just as it is important to be active, it is also important to sleep. During sleep, the body actively works to repair itself.
- Do not have any exposure to nicotine. Do not smoke. Do not wear a nicotine patch or chew nicotine gum. Avoid spending any time in places where people smoke. Nicotine constricts surface blood vessels that supply oxygenated blood to your healing tissue. This severely inhibits your body’s ability to recover.
- Call Dr. Hobar’s office. Schedule your first follow-up appointment the first day or two after your surgery. Contact us for any concern you might have about your care or health during the recovery period. We are here to help you and are happy to help you.
- Carefully read your postoperative instructions. These are detailed guides to instruct you on how to care for your incisions and the areas that were operated on. They also contain important information relevant to your surgery. Do not hesitate to call us for clarification. No question is too small or unimportant!
- Be patient. Keep a positive attitude and focus on taking good care of yourself during this time.
