They say time heals all wounds, and when it comes to plastic surgery procedures, nothing could be truer. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the importance of giving themselves extra time both before and after a plastic surgery procedure, and that can turn into a costly and painful mistake in some situations.
Time isn’t just needed for recovery – it’s needed for every step along the way when it comes to plastic surgery. Here are some reasons why time is such an important factor in your plastic surgery journey, and why you should make sure you’re carving out enough of it to achieve your best results.
Time to Plan
Chances are, by the time you’ve finally decided to get plastic surgery, you’ve already spent a considerable amount of time deciding to change that part of your body. Very rarely does someone wake up, look in the mirror and decide immediately that a body part they loved yesterday must immediately change. For some people, they have long wished for a smaller nose or bigger breasts. For others, they notice that over time the skin on their face has become saggy and tired looking and wished they could get a face-lift. As the song goes, “only fools rush in.”
Make sure that if you are planning on undergoing a plastic surgery procedure, you have given yourself time to be sure you truly want the change. If you are at all unsure, give yourself more time to decide, or you could make a permanent choice you will regret later on.
Time to Research
Once you are sure you want to change your body, make sure you give yourself enough time to select the right surgeon for the procedure. Going with the first person who pops up in your Google search can be a dangerous idea if that person isn’t qualified, doesn’t have board certification or isn’t well trained in the procedure you want. When searching for a surgeon, check his or her online portfolio and see some of the before and after photos of patients who had the same procedure.
Some surgeons have a “look” they are known for, and if you’re not a fan of that look, you may want to search for another surgeon. You should also give yourself time to check reviews, insurance or payment options, the surgeon’s location and cancellation policies and even their board certification status. Make sure the person you are choosing is performing procedures legally. And if you see a good deal on a procedure, make sure that deal isn’t because the person performing the procedure is actually a hairdresser giving Botox treatments.
Time for Answers
Once you have selected a surgeon or several possible surgeons, allow yourself time to visit each surgeon and their practice. Make sure you are comfortable with the doctor, the staff and the doctor’s portfolio. If you are unsure about any aspect of the surgery or recovery, speak to your surgeon and make sure you are satisfied with the response you get.
Time to Prepare
Once you have decided to go ahead with your procedure, allow yourself time to prepare for it. Follow the pre-op instructions and pick up any prescriptions ahead of time so you are ready post-op. Make sure you have enough time to stop taking any medications you are advised to stop using, and if you are a smoker, allow yourself time to quit smoking, as smoking can cause serious side effects post-op.
You should also make sure you have taken enough time to arrange pre-op care for yourself. Many procedures require you to have a ride to and from the surgery, and many more will most likely require you to have someone at home to help you out for at least the first 24 hours after your surgery. Make sure you have someone lined up for these responsibilities. Many surgeons will not perform a procedure on you unless they can verify you have someone lined up to bring you home.
Time to Recover
Once your surgery is over, you will need to recover before returning to everyday activities. In fact, you may even need time to recover from cosmetic procedures like CO2 facial procedures and Botox injections, as these can cause sun sensitivity, swelling and bruising. Make sure if you are booking a procedure you know how long recovery could take, and allow yourself that time in your schedule just in case. You may not end up needing as much time as you take, but it’s better to have a few pain-free days off from work than having to go back to work too soon because you underestimated how painful your recovery would be.
Always follow the minimum recommendation for recovery time from your surgeon when planning time off, and don’t try to be a hero. There are no medals for “fastest recovery from plastic surgery,” and forcing yourself out sooner than you should can increase your risk of developing an infection or other dangerous side effects.
Furthermore, allow yourself time to recover in your leisure time, too. Don’t rush back to the gym ahead of the recommended time. You could end up tearing your stitches or incision and requiring another surgery or surgeries to correct it!
If you have any questions or concerns about your procedure or about the time involved in doing it right the first time, give Dr. Chau’s office a call at 888-966-9471.
Tags: time, plastic surgery, procedure, recovery, board certified, research