The Centre, P.C. - Plastic Surgery Blog

Speed Your Recovery: Prepare Your Home in Advance - Friday, October 10, 2008

A large part of successful surgical outcomes is in the recovery period. Assuming that you were a good candidate for your particular surgery, and that it was well done by the surgeon (both safe assumptions at The Centre, P.C.), recovery routines and events can still make a significant difference to your final success.

You will have printed instructions from your surgeon as to self-care during recovery. You should follow them exactly. Your job during recovery is to care for yourself in a way that optimizes the surgical work and does not undo or jeopardize it.

You will want to feel relaxed and safe during recovery, not anxious about whether your stomach will handle the food you happen to have on hand, or whether your kids will be reliably picked up after school.

Tips on Speeding Your Recovery

• Fill your prescriptions ahead of time
• Arrange for someone to be with you for the first day or two (if you live alone)
• Arrange for someone to drive you to your follow-up appointments
• Make solid arrangements for daily things like bringing in the mail and paper, walking the dog, feeding pets, and picking up children from school or activities
  
• Have a list of all important phone numbers handy: your doctor, any visiting nurses, your pharmacy, supportive friends etc.
• Stock up on easily prepared foods, processed foods, and fresh food
• Have extra pillows and blankets handy for complete comfort
• Have entertainment items like hobby supplies, TV guide, library books, and videos on hand
• Have your home thoroughly cleaned before the day of your surgery, and the laundry done

The goal here is to achieve peace of mind and relaxation of the body while you recover. All major surgery such as breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, facelift etc. is a shock to the body and recovery is a time to pamper yourself.

Please contact our office if you have questions about your planned surgery or its recovery time. We regard informed patients as the best kind and will be happy to make sure you understand what your recovery will be like and how you can best optimize it.