4 Tips to Recover Faster from Cosmetic Surgery

So you just had cosmetic surgery — congrats! You've just made an investment in your body and life that will keep you feeling confident and fabulous in your own skin. That's a great feeling. But before you start to strut your stuff, you're going to want to lay low — at least for a little while.

Cosmetic surgery is, first and foremost, surgery. The body undergoes a lot when it goes through a surgery. Although, when you're in the hands of an expert surgeon like Dr. Hooman Khorasani, you are as safe as you can be. Still, like with any surgery, cosmetic surgery often requires a bit of downtown and self care, which varies depending on the procedure(s) you have.

No one wants to be laid up in bed for too long, especially following cosmetic surgery. You want to see your results! Cindy Khorasani, wife and business partner to Dr. Khorasani, has willingly tried nearly every one of his procedures, and can speak volumes on the importance of recovery. She also has shared her tips on recovering quickly so that you can get back to doing what you love — living your life!

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1. No Smoking

Everyone has a vice (or two) — that's part of living a full life, right? But smoking is definitely a habit to leave behind. There's really nothing to gain from it and it is so harmful to your body. Cosmetic surgery may be the inspiration you need to quit the habit for good.

"This is super important," said Cindy Khorasani. "It's the number one thing. You need to stop smoking for two weeks before and after your surgery, at a bare minimum."

Why? Smoking decreases circulation and significantly slows down your healing time. It deprives your body of oxygen, and your cells need this to heal properly. The outcome of your surgery, which is an investment in your body and self, will not be nearly as good if you're a smoker.

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2. Avoid Medications that Thin Your Blood

Blood thinners are medications that are taken either orally or intravenously to prevent blood clots. Blood clots can stop the blood flow to the heart, lungs, or brain, which can cause a heart attack or stroke. Blood thinners can include prescribed medication, but also over the counter medicines like Advil, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen. Supplements like fish oils also thin the blood.

"Of course, never stop taking prescribed blood thinners without your cardiologist’s permission," said Cindy. "But blood thinning medications can cause you to bruise, which extends your recovery time." 

Cindy recommends avoiding these medications at least one week prior to a procedure, even if it's non-invasive. Of course, never change your prescribed routine until you consult with your physician. If you have a debilitating back ache or headache the week prior to your scheduled surgery, you should opt for Tylenol instead. Even 1 Advil can cause unnecessary bruises.

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3. Follow Your Post-Care Instructions

Once your cosmetic surgery is finished, you're likely going to be eager to see the results and transformation. It IS exciting! But a little patience can go a long way — so follow your post-care instructions religiously. Post-care is just as important as a safe procedure, in order to ensure you see the best results possible.

"The body does a lot on its own in terms of post-care, so you need to take care of your body to make sure it does what it's supposed to do," said Cindy. 

This includes reading the printed instructions that Dr. Khorasani's office gives you following your treatment. Read them, learn them, and understand them. But it also includes eating healthy, drinking plenty of water, and keeping up with your follow-up appointments. You should also find ways to stay moderately active. This won’t be the time when you head to spin class four times a week, but walking around and gently moving can help your body heal faster, as well. 

It also includes planning for help following your treatment, if you need it.

"Your body needs to rest sometimes," said Cindy. "You need to rest in order to recover. Give your body a break and relax. Planning to have someone there to support you and take care of you so you can rest will go a long way." 

It can be anyone — a nurse, a partner, or a friend. Someone to help get you through the first few days can have a long-term effect on your recovery.

If you've had a treatment like liposuction, for example, be sure to wear your compression garments- religiously. You should have compression garments on for 23 hours a day for a minimum of a week. Wearing the garment around the clock helps significantly with swelling and bruising, and will speed up your recovery. 

For patients who undergo a procedure like FaceTite, they should remember to sleep with their head elevated- using as many pillows as tolerable. This helps minimize swelling as well. 

Each treatment has a specific, tailored post-care regimen, so it's vitally important to follow Dr. Khorasani’s post care instructions and stick to them.

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4. Invest in Lymphatic Massages

The body's lymphatic system helps to eliminate waste in the body. A healthy lymphatic system uses the body tissue's natural movements to do this. But cosmetic surgery can cause fluids to build up in the lymph nodes, which can cause a build up of waste fluids and may slow down your recovery time and progression of your results.

One way to help move waste fluids out of the body is through lymphatic massage — a gentle pressure massage of the entire body.

Cindy recommends getting your first lymphatic massage on the second day following your procedure- and have one every other day for the first week. "This helps reduce swelling dramatically for a lot of patients," she said. "It helps to expel fluid that causes swelling and discomfort, and can speed recovery along. It can reduce the occurrence of lumps in the body, as well."

The Bottom Line

The most important thing to remember is that the human body is truly amazing— it is well-equipped to do all the necessary things to help you heal naturally. Therefore, the better you take care of your body, the better the healing and recovery process will be.

Request A Consultation

Dr. Khorasani and his highly-specialized team look forward to working with you to transform your medical or aesthetic goals into reality. To expedite a request for a consultation, text message us securely or call our Manhattan office at: 212-230-3378 for more information.

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