In the hands of a triple board certified surgeon like myself, you know you’re giving yourself the best chance possible for wonderful cosmetic surgery results. Learn more about my triple board certification and credentials here. As much as I can do a fantastic surgery for you, what happens after the surgery room is up to you and your body.

In addition to following our post operative care instructions, you can give yourself the best chance possible for healing properly by allowing for enough recovery time and taking these measures:

• Rest and relax (binge watch a new show on Netflix)
• Don’t lift anything beyond prescribed weight limits
• Take time off from work
• Enlist someone to help you with physical tasks and emotional support
• Eat well, including healthy fats from avocados and salmon
• Drink a lot of water

So what does allowing for enough recovery time look like? Here is a break down by the most popular surgeries, so that you can start planning for the ideal time in your schedule. First we will start with the face and then the next blog will cover the recovery for the most popular body procedures.

Rhinoplasty
Remaining upright, on pain meds, and out of sight for at least a week will be your post surgery recovery for Rhinoplasty. Except for the necessary post op visits to remove your packing and splint, you’ll want to take it real easy. There will be significant bruising and swelling around the eyes and midface for at least a week. While you’ll likely feel able move around by the end of the week, you’ll probably want to plan to stay out of work, order take out and delivery groceries for 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling and bruising will settle down by a month, but depending on the degree of nose alteration, it could be up to a year until things look and feel like the new normal.

Facelift
Your first 1 to 2 nights should be spent with someone to help you. While you should definitely be resting, you can get up to walk around to help with blood circulation for healing. The swelling and stitches along your hairline will require you to take 2 to 3 weeks off of work. After that you can cover most of it with styling your hair and makeup while you continue to recover for the rest of the month. You will probably look a little swollen or tight for a few months, but the final results of healing should be complete within a year.

Jaw and Neck Liposuction
For a facial procedure, this has a relatively quick recovery time. It’s normal to have bruising and need to wear a compression chin strap for a week. Bruising often travels down the lower neck and even into the upper chest. Sutures are removed within 3 to 5 days and the scar under the chin isn’t ever visible in a normal profile view. Any muscle weakness affecting the lips should subside in 2 weeks. You should be happy with the swelling usually resolved by 3 months.

Steven Davison, M.D.

Triple Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon