Bounce back, babe? Why your plastic surgery recovery takes time

Your plastic surgeon gets it – they really do. Recovery is challenging, and healing takes time. They know you want to get back into the swing of a regular routine as soon as possible. However, rushing the recovery process can lead to complications and jeopardize your results.

Recovery takes time. If you want to bounce back and come out to the other side of plastic surgery looking and feeling your best, it is time to take a good, hard look at what the recovery process is all about.

Why does plastic surgery recovery take time?

The first thing you need to understand about plastic surgery recovery is that it is a gradual process. Surgery causes trauma to the body. Your body's natural response is to trigger an inflammatory response. The immune system produces white blood cells to fight infection and platelets to form clots and stop blood loss. After surgery, blood vessels near the surgical site dilate and these cells flood the area, initiating the healing process. You may notice redness, swelling and pain during the inflammatory response phase.

Next comes the proliferative phase, characterized by tissue regeneration and the formation of new blood vessels. The body sends out chemical signals that tell cells to produce more collagen to help form essential structures and strengthen the incision site, forming a scar. During the final phase of wound healing, the scar that has formed matures, becoming flatter and lighter in color. Think of the healing process as undergoing initial trauma, rebuilding and finally remodeling.

Nothing heals overnight, and you can't compare your journey to someone else's. Too often, people are laid up from surgery and bide their time by heading straight for social media. They see this celebrity hitting the beach in a bikini two weeks after giving birth or that social media influencer saying she went snorkeling in the Bahamas one week after having a nose job.

Stop! You are unlike anyone else, and you cannot compare your recovery to celebrities, influencers, your sister or the neighbor down the street. Several factors make you and your plastic surgery procedure unique. Often, patients aren't even comparing apples to apples.

"Everybody's a little bit different," said Aviva Preminger, MD. "I usually tell people that recovering from surgery is a little bit of a bell curve. The vast number of people fall into a kind of middle zone of how their recovery is going to go, and then there are outliers who recover unusually quickly or have a harder time."

Some people can bounce back quickly, others take more time to heal and others may fall somewhere in between. Until you are in the thick of things, you won't know how your body will react and heal. Give yourself some grace during this time.

Preparing to bounce back after surgery

Having plastic surgery doesn't mean just showing up the day of your procedure hoping for the best without any preparation or laying the groundwork for your recovery.

"I believe that people should prepare for surgery just as they would train for a marathon," said Anureet Bajaj, MD.

That means investing time and research into the plastic surgery process and preparing your mind and body for the journey ahead because it is a journey.

"A lot of times, people approach surgery thinking that they have nothing to do and that the success of the procedure is only in the hands of the surgeon," said Dr. Bajaj. "I believe that the success of an operation involves both the surgeon and the patient to ensure the success of the operation."

Recovery doesn't happen overnight, and you can't rush your recovery or your results after plastic surgery. Planning ahead is key to achieving the aesthetic outcome you desire.

"You may have heard the saying 'summer bodies are made in the winter,'" said Anna Steve, MD. "This is certainly true for breast and body procedures with longer incisions, large amounts of liposuction or operations that are more reconstructive in nature."

Dr. Steve noted that plastic surgery recovery time doesn't just vary from person to person – which surgery you have plays a role as well.

"Plastic surgery recovery time varies by procedure type," said Dr. Steve. "Adequate downtime and proper planning are key for optimal outcomes. Procedures that require longer downtime and more involved aftercare include mommy makeovers, liposuction, breast lift, breast reduction and breast revision surgeries."

Remember that surgery includes incisions and stitches. The last thing you want to do is put unnecessary pressure on them because it will lead to poor healing or – worse – reopen the incision.

"In general, what I tell patients is that it takes six weeks for any incision to heal," said Dr. Preminger. "If you put enough strain on the incision, it's just physics – at the end of the day, you could open it."

Start training now

To maximize recovery, start training before your plastic surgery procedure.

"My recommendations to patients as they prepare for surgery include implementing a high-protein diet, regular exercise – walking 30 minutes daily – and some basic bodyweight strength exercises that we give our patients, as well as no tobacco use," said Dr. Bajaj.

Listening to your surgeon's recommendations prior to surgery plays a significant role in experiencing a successful recovery.

"I tell them to avoid herbal supplements and medications that may contribute to bleeding ideally two weeks before surgery and for two weeks after," said Dr. Preminger. "Another thing that we deal with lately is patients who are on semaglutide medications for weight loss. We certainly know that those medications decrease what we call the rate of gastric emptying, which is your ability to empty your stomach in a reasonable amount of time, and it's dangerous for food to hang around in your stomach for too long if you're undergoing anesthesia because it actually puts you at risk for something called aspiration."

Additionally, she suggests that patients pick up their postop medications early and purchase supplies, like gauze and compression socks, before surgery.

Making the most out of your recovery

Chances are that patients undergoing cosmetic procedures do so to look and feel better about themselves. Unfortunately, some patients are so eager to bounce back that they want to hit the gym or get back on their weight loss medication immediately after surgery so they don't lose their "gains." That's a bad idea. Going at it too hard after surgery can pose risks and complications, and it can also jeopardize the final result of the procedure.

"Returning to an active lifestyle too soon after surgeries that involve longer incisions can increase the risk of wound healing complications and, in turn, wider scars," said Dr. Steve.

However, sitting around all day isn't going to help you make recovery progress either.

"Nothing good happens from lying in bed all day," said Dr. Preminger. "One of the things that we worry about after surgery is deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot in the leg that could travel to the lungs. When it does that, it's called a pulmonary embolism, and that's very dangerous."

Dr. Preminger suggested that patients get out of bed and move to keep blood moving throughout the body, take deep breaths and move at their own pace. Not only is this a great way to help get the blood moving, but it can also help get the bowels moving and alleviate the constipation associated with anesthesia and pain medication.

"I encourage my patients to listen to their body and realize that as they become more active, they will experience soreness and swelling," said Dr. Bajaj.

However, it's important not to overdo it too soon, even when it comes to simple household activities. Consider enlisting the help of family, friends or a private-duty nurse.

"Extra help with childcare, especially if you have children that still sleep in a crib or need to be lifted in and out of car seats or strollers, is also important for many patients," said Dr. Steve.

You've just undergone a major surgical procedure. Don't shy away from a little extra help with meals, house and yard work, pets, laundry or that never-ending list of to-dos.

"I think that it's helpful for patients to have supportive care through the process," said Dr. Preminger.

Physical help during recovery is essential, but so is emotional support. Although the body may be doing a lot of the "heavy lifting," having a positive outlook and psychological support from your physician and people close to you can also promote healing and improve patient outcomes.

Other suggestions for maximizing recovery from plastic surgeons include:

• Wearing postoperative garments or compression garments
• Staying hydrated
• Eating a well-balanced diet and getting plenty of protein
• Avoiding alcohol, specific medications and herbal supplements
• Proactive wound care and scar management therapy (tips include keeping your incision site clean and moisturized and using silicone strips or ointments)

Additional therapies that may benefit some patients include massage and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

If you want to bounce back following a plastic surgery procedure, the most important thing you can do is listen to your plastic surgeon and explicitly follow their instructions. Be patient. Give your body the time it needs to heal. Soon enough, you'll bounce back better than ever.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.