Plastic Surgery Healing Aids

Other than the surgery itself, the thing that most women are concerned about when it comes to plastic surgery is how long it will take them to heal once the surgery is over. Though healing times vary from person to person, there are ways to speed up healing and ensure that the patient has the best resources for the healing process.

Ice Packs

Ice compresses can significantly reduce swelling and bruising areas after plastic surgery, especially when they are applied properly and at the right time. Ask your doctor for tips before using any ice packs. In general, patients should use ice in the first 48 hours after surgery. Ice should be applied in 15 to 20-minute increments, followed by no ice for the same amount of time.  Besides reducing swelling, ice can also reduce some of the pain and bruising that comes along with surgery. Icing can actually numb the area for a short period of time. Icing may be especially helpful for rhinoplasty and breast augmentations, which are two surgeries likely to produce a good amount of bruising and swelling.

Bromelain

Bromelain can come in a pill or cream formula and is used to reduce healing time by providing the nutrients and proteins the body needs to make quick repairs to the body. It may be taken as a pill or cream can be applied to the incision or irritation site.

Arnica Montana

Arnica, like bromelain, is a prescription that some plastic surgeons give out to their patients in order to improve the body’s ability to heal itself. Most women who use it report reduced swelling and bruising, as well as shorter downtime after surgery.

Compression Garments

Compression garments are often used after body contouring surgery such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or liposuction in order to reduce swelling, helping the skin adhere to the new contour, and speed the healing process. In the case of breast augmentation, the implants go through a settling process, which can take weeks or months. Often, the implants do not settle at the same rate, which creates a lopsided look. A compression garment, wrapped around the breast area, encourages the implants to settle into the breast socket properly and at the same rate, to avoid any embarrassing unevenness.

Bandages

Bandages are an essential part of the healing process. No matter what kind of plastic surgery a patient has, he or she will likely have some sort of bandage over the incision site. It is important to care for these bandages per the doctor’s recommendations, changing them often to avoid irritation and infection. Bandages protect the incision site, hold the skin together, and keep the area dry and clean.

Scar Reducing Cream

Scar reducing cream is extremely popular among patients who have undergone plastic surgery. Most procedures will create some kind of scar, though doctors are very careful about placement to make post-surgical scarring as discreet as possible. A scar reducing cream can further minimize the appearance of these scars, softening the skin and aiding in proper healing.

Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.