Doctors have broken down the recovery period into three phases to help monitor the progress of recuperation:
Phase 1: Day 1-10 post-operation
You may feel cold or nauseated immediately after waking up. This is normal within the recovery process. Light pain or discomfort is also normal and can be remedied using oral prescriptions. The pain should subside after two days. Severe pain is rare and when it happens, you should immediately consult your doctor. Expect bruising and swelling together with some slight drainage in some instances. You may be placed under a compression garment, wear this as directed. To help in the healing process as well as to reduce swelling, stand straight and lie down on a decline, not flat. Walk often to boost blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Phase 2: 10-30 Days
Going into your second week after the operation, it’s not uncommon to feel swollen. Some patients report strange sensations such as burning, tingling, tightness and numbness. These are all normal. The swelling at this point should have well dissipated as things start to improve.
Going into the third and fourth week, real recovery takes place. You should be able to put on your make up at this point or even wash your hair. Refrain from strenuous activities such as bending or heavy lifting. Don’t go swimming, water skiing or diving. Until this point, it is also essential that you avoid drugs such as aspirin or any anti-inflammatory medication.
Phase 3: 30 days to beyond
The amount of time it takes for you to get back to a normal routine after an operation is two weeks but the time it will take for all the swelling, bruising and changes to resolve permanently is a year. Use good sense and follow your plastic surgeon’s directions religiously throughout.
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