Rammos Plastic Surgery

Recovery

When it comes to Recovery, You’re in Charge

All cosmetic surgeries require some degree of recovery. While we do everything we can to make sure your surgery is safe and pleasant, recovery is the one area where you have almost complete control. There’s a lot you can be doing now to help your recovery go as smoothly as possible. Our recovery timeline will help you prepare physically and emotionally for this important part of the plastic surgery process.

The #1 Rule of Recovery

Follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions. Pre- and post-op instructions are requirements, not suggestions. Follow them to the letter before and after your procedure. If you’re unsure whether an activity, food, or even article of clothing is okay, never hesitate to call your surgeon or patient care coordinator and ask. You, and your results, are too important not to.

2-6 Weeks before Surgery: Plan Ahead

Your surgery is right around the corner. Now’s the time to get your body primed for the healing process. This means treating your body well and concentrating on practical matters of recovery.

Stay hydrated. A good idea anyway, but it’s especially important to drink enough water prior to surgery. This will help your body handle the effects of anesthesia, reducing your chance of nausea and other side effects.

Start honoring your list of foods and meds to boycott, such as green tea, NSAIDs, herbal supplements, etc. You will also need to stop birth control pills and any removable forms of contraception. Also, all weight loss enhancers, such as Phentermine, need to be stopped. This is important to prevent unnecessary bleeding after surgery.

Get adequate sleep. Being well-rested will help you stay relaxed and may reduce pre-surgery anxiety.

Schedule adequate time off of work. This will be hard if you’re the smart, driven, and energetic person we think you are, but it’s so important that you don’t push yourself after surgery.

Are you a smoker? Quit now, or forget about surgery.

You know it’s bad for you, but it can be downright dangerous when it comes to surgery. Smoking prevents healing by hindering blood supply to the areas that have been operated on. Not only will your results be compromised, but your risk of infection skyrockets. Smoking also makes anesthesia more risky. Due to these potential recovery problems, many surgeons refuse to operate on a smoker. At minimum, you should not smoke for 6-8 weeks before and after your procedure.

1 – 7 Days before Surgery: Prepare for the Big Day

To help make your recovery smoother, we’ve prepared a list of suggestions for you:

Prepare meals ahead of time, or arrange for someone to cook for you. Easy-to-eat foods like chicken noodle soup, oatmeal, or ice cream are good to have on hand. Plastic straws and a breakfast tray are a good idea too.

Stock up on couch-friendly activities. Books, movies, and crossword puzzles are good options.

Frontload the housework. You’ll be less stressed and have a nice, clean home to return to.

Arrange for someone to stay with you for a few days. You will need someone at home with you the first 24-48 hours after surgery while residual effects of anesthesia wear off.  It’s ideal to have someone with you until you are no longer taking any prescribed pain medications.

Fill any prescriptions for post-op medications before surgery.

Call our office with any concerns, 309.670.7020.  It’s perfectly normal to start getting nervous about surgery now, and your surgery team will be glad to answer any questions you may have, big or small.