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Post-Op Instructions

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After surgery, your priority is to focus on healing. Set yourself up for a successful recovery by following our post-op instructions.

General Post-Op Guidelines

An important factor to consider for any surgical procedure is recovery. At your first pre-op, you will receive a printed packet regarding proper aftercare that is tailored to your surgical procedure. Your aftercare includes the instructions you need to follow to ensure you have a smooth recovery. A nurse will go over everything with you in detail, but here we provide some general guidelines so you know what to expect after your surgery.

Surgery Specific Post-Op Guidelines

Breast Surgery

Following your breast surgery, you should abstain from strenuous activities like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, or pickleball for at least four weeks. You are allowed to walk for leisure, but not for exercise or to increase the heart rate, and try to avoid bouncing the chest. We advise our patients to wear a front-closure sports bra for one month post-surgery. The bra should offer support, but not dig into your skin. We’ve included some examples that we like below. You may use scar cream once your incisions are completely healed, about four weeks after surgery.

Brachioplasty

After your brachioplasty, you should avoid any strenuous activities like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, pickleball, or other similar activities for four weeks. You may walk for leisure, not for exercise. The goal is to keep the armpits clean, dry, and intact. We will advise you to wear garments for about a month after surgery. Once your incisions are completely healed, about four weeks post-surgery, you may use scar cream.

Thigh Lift

For four weeks after your thigh lift, you should avoid strenuous activities like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, or pickleball. You are allowed to walk, but you will not be able to move your legs far apart for the first few weeks. We will ask you to wear your garment for about a month after surgery. You may use scar cream once your incisions are completely healed, which is about four weeks post-surgery.

Liposuction

After your liposuction, you will be told to avoid all strenuous activity for at least four weeks. This activity can include weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, pickleball, and other similar exercises. You are allowed to walk for leisure, but not for exercise. We will ask you to wear the garment and foam for about a month. About four weeks after surgery, after your incisions are completely healed, you may use scar cream to reduce the scar’s appearance.
Questions About Breast Implants
Questions About Breast Implants

Abdominoplasty

For three months after your abdominoplasty, you should avoid all strenuous activity like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, or pickleball, and do NOTHING that strains the core. You are allowed to walk, but only for leisure, not for exercise. After surgery, you may need to walk hunched over for about seven to ten days before you can begin to stand up straighter.

You will want to sleep with a few pillows behind your head and under your knees. We strongly recommend renting an electric recliner for the first month. For the first month, we will ask that you continue to wear your garment and foam. If you wish to wear something that provides support for a while longer, you can switch to a Spanx-like garment after that time. You may use scar cream once your incisions are completely healed, which is generally four weeks after surgery.

Facelift

Following your facelift, you should not partake in any strenuous activities like weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, or pickleball for four weeks. You are allowed to walk for your leisure, but not for exercise. You may use scar cream once your incisions are completely healed, which is about four weeks after surgery. If you color your hair, you may continue to do so, one month post surgery.

Blepharoplasty

After your blepharoplasty, you should avoid all strenuous activity, weightlifting, yoga, Pilates, golf, tennis, running, swimming, pickleball, and other similar activities for four weeks. You may walk for leisure, but not for exercise. If you wear contacts, you will not be allowed to wear them for about 10 to 14 days post-surgery.

What Else You Need to Know

As a general rule of thumb after your procedure, you should avoid the ocean, pools, hot tubs, and sauna while you have open incisions. Also, it’s important to know that for any surgical procedure, if you develop an open area, please call the office immediately. Do NOT pour or clean it with alcohol or peroxide and do NOT use any ointments unless prescribed by your physician.

Supplies for Your Post-Op Recovery

To make recovery easier for you, there are some supplies we recommend you should have on hand before surgery as you may need them after. We’ve linked our recommended choices below, but you do not have to purchase these exact products if you find similar options that you prefer. Our recommended supplies include:

This is a general list and does not include everything you may need. For a complete list of supplies, ask a nurse or your provider.

How to Choose A Plastic Surgeon

Helping You Towards a Full Recovery

By following these instructions, you should be able to see and enjoy your full results six months after your surgery. If you have any questions about your post-op instructions, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our providers are available to give you the guidance you need to help you towards a full recovery.