Focusing on the desired results helps everyone get through the process of recovery. Cosmetic surgery recovery is not easy, but it’s well worth it. Besides focusing on the end results, it does help you get through recovery if you manage your expectations of the recovery process. While we covered Breast Augmentation in depth last blog, here are some more bits of information about the recoveries for some of the other most popular body contouring procedures.

Breast Lift
Typical recovery for a Breast Lift is less than Breast Augmentation because the pectoralis muscle is not manipulated during surgery. Some people are able to go back to work as early as 3 to 6 days after surgery. The raised and tightened nipple and skin will have bruising and swelling for about 7 to 10 days, which can be covered with clothing. Things should feel back to normal around 3 months.

Abdominoplasty

The Tummy Tuck is bit more intense of a surgery than a Breast Augmentation. You will definitely need someone staying with you to help for at least the first 1 to 2 nights. Usually minimum work time off is 10 days. Support garments are necessary for 6 weeks and its crucial to not bend quickly or put any extra strain on the abdomen muscles. Even though movement increases, swelling could last up to 3 months. Optimal results are seen in 6 to 8 months. This makes the Fall and Winter the ideal time to schedule your Tummy Tuck so you can be ready to show off your new flat tummy for the next Spring and Summer.

Liposuction
Recovery from Liposuction is usually pretty short and can be accomplished with some quality rest over a long weekend. If you’re treating multiple areas, it could be 2 to 4 days, then back to work and other daily activities. Just don’t plan on being in a swim suit for the next 2 months because there will be bruising for around 2 weeks and scar healing. It’s great timing to get this procedure in the Fall or Winter months because the extra layers of clothing cover the bruising and compression garments.

Brazilian Butt Lift
This increasingly popular procedure is best performed in the winter months, to give yourself at least 4 months for swelling to dissipate and your new butt to be swimsuit season ready. A Brazilian Butt Lift requires harvesting fat from one part of the body and placing it into the buttocks area. You should feel well enough to be up and about after only 2 days, depending on what part of the body that the fat was collected from. The hardest part of recovery for this procedure is that you shouldn’t be sitting on your buttocks for about 8 weeks so that the fat placement isn’t disrupted. A compression garment and a donut pillow should help you through that part.

Vaginal Rejuvenation
After Labiaplasty, you should be able to return to work and daily activity after a long weekend of rest and staying off your feet. Some soreness and swelling will continue to resolve over the first 2 weeks. Ice packs and over the counter pain medication can help with discomfort. The main requirement is to abstain from any pubic pressure, including wearing tight clothing, certain workouts, horseback riding and intercourse for 3 to 6 weeks to allow for healing.

I hope these overviews of recoveries gave you a good start to understand what you might experience. In our consultation, we discuss your expectations in depth. Schedule one today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon