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Waking up from plastic surgery can feel like being a kid on Christmas morning. The excitement, anticipation and nervousness — oh my! But, as eager as you may be to see and start enjoying your results, patience and proper aftercare can be essential to both a safe and comfortable recovery and your results.
Below, we'll explore some common factors associated with recovery and how managing them can help make your recovery as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
What You Might Expect After Your Procedure
Immediately after your surgery, you’ll be moved to a recovery area to be monitored closely while the anesthesia wears off. When ready, you’ll be released to your designated caregiver and allowed to go home.1
You may feel groggy and tired for a few hours after anesthesia.1 It may be recommended that a trusted family member, friend or nurse stay and help you for at least a couple of days – with daily living activities, medication management and in case of an emergency.
Tips for managing pain and discomfort
As the pain medication you may have received at the surgical facility wears off, it can be normal to feel some measure of pain, both at the surgical site and an overall achiness. Nausea can be a common side effect of anesthesia, as can be a sore throat if you have a breathing tube placed for your surgery.3
The first two or three days after surgery are usually when you may feel the most discomfort.4 Your body will be working overtime, managing inflammation from surgery and repairing your tissues.2
Icing can help with pain as well as swelling, especially in the first 48 hours. So, if your surgeon recommends it, you can ice the affected area, follow instructions about placing the ice or cold compresses directly on your skin.5
Make rest a priority and take your pain medications as prescribed, as patients who are in pain or under stress may heal more slowly.5 Pain usually begins to subside enough to cut down the pain medication to an as-needed basis by day four to seven after plastic surgery.4
Plastic Surgery Healing and Recovery Timelines
Something to keep in mind after cosmetic or plastic surgery is that healing time and recovery time aren’t the same thing, though the terms are often used interchangeably. Knowing the differences can help you plan your time off accordingly. Here are some key differences:6
- Healing time is how long your body repairs tissues, when your incisions close and when bruising and swelling subsides.
- Recovery time is about getting back to work and resuming your regular activities, which you may be comfortable doing while you’re still doing some healing.
Healing and recovery times depend on several factors, including the type of procedure you have, your age and your overall health. Lifestyle factors, such as smoking and taking recreational drugs, can also affect your healing time and slow your recovery.6
Cosmetic and plastic surgery recovery times can vary based on the type of surgery and the patient. Your surgeon will let you know how long your anticipated recovery will be based on your situation, but here are some typical recovery timelines for popular plastic and cosmetic surgeries.6
Average recovery times for common plastic surgeries
The average recovery times will vary, depending on the type of plastic surgery procedure. Below is a look at what you might expect.6
| Procedure | Bruising and swelling | Return to work |
|---|---|---|
| Breast lift | Six to eight weeks | One week |
| Facelift | 10 to 14 days | Seven to 10 days |
| Liposuction | Four to six weeks | One to three days |
| Rhinoplasty | 10 to 14 days with residual swelling up to a year | One week |
| Tummy tuck | Two to three months with residual swelling up to a year | 10 to 14 days |
Tips to Help Your Recovery After Plastic Surgery
Your aftercare and recovery can play an important role in your outcome after plastic surgery. Here are some tips you may find helpful for a smooth and stress-free recovery.
Follow your doctor's postsurgical guidelines
Before your surgery, you'll likely receive written post-op recovery instructions. Take time to read them carefully, ask any questions and follow your doctor's advice for the best recovery and results.
Remember, aftercare varies by procedure, and what applies to rhinoplasty may be different from a tummy tuck or breast augmentation.7 Your instructions should include guidance on caring for your incision, managing pain, taking medications and what kind of physical activity is permitted, as well as how and when to wear compression garments and how to manage any drains, if needed.5
Care for your incision
Keeping incisions clean helps prevent infection. It's important to inspect your incision site daily.7
You may be able to keep your incision sites clean with nothing more than gentle soap and water. Showers are typically recommended after surgery rather than baths, and swimming is usually off-limits in early recovery. Consult your doctor with questions.7
Incisions should be treated with care. Talk to your doctor about bandage change frequency and apply topical treatments as advised.7
Eat well, stay hydrated and get plenty of sleep
Your body needs a lot of energy to heal properly, so be sure to fuel it with plenty of nutrients and healthy food. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and staying hydrated can help aid your body in the healing process. Limit processed foods, sugary treats, salt, caffeine and alcohol, as these can increase inflammation.2
Listen to your body and get plenty of sleep and extra rest when you need it. Your body does most of its repair work while you sleep.2
Watch for signs of complications
Keep an eye out for signs of infection or other complications. Call your surgeon right away if you notice any of these:7
- Any change in the size or shape of your incision
- Fluid accumulation under the skin4
- Redness, hardness or heat around the incision
- Unusual discharge from the incision
- Worsening pain or swelling
Call 911 right away if you experience severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms, including:3
- Chest pain
- Fainting
- Fast heartbeat
- Trouble breathing
The Importance of Follow-Up Appointments
Follow-up visits are an important part of your aftercare following cosmetic or plastic surgery. They allow your surgeon to evaluate your progress and make sure you’re recovering well. They can also provide you with the opportunity to ask any questions or bring up any concerns you may have.4
Your surgeon will let you know when to return for follow-up appointments.
Emotional and Mental Recovery
As excited and positive as you may feel about getting plastic surgery, the post-op blues can be a real thing. Recovery can take an emotional toll and make you feel frustrated, anxious, down or even uncertain. Just know that these emotions are normal.2
The bruising and swelling can be a bit off-putting, but the reality is that you may look worse before you look better after plastic surgery. Feeling uncertain about your appearance while you’re still healing is natural. Remember that these effects are indeed signs of healing and will subside. It's part of the process toward your final outcome.2
Don’t be afraid to lean on friends and family and talk about how you’re feeling. Talking it out can be a big help. If you’re still struggling with anxiety or sadness and feel you need more support, don’t hesitate to reach out to your surgeon or a mental health professional.2
Long-Term Care and Results
Results can take time to fully reveal themselves. While you may notice some immediate change, the final result can take months or over a year, depending on the type of surgery.6
Some patience is required while you’re in the final stages of healing, but there are some things you can do in the meantime to help protect your results and get the most out of your procedure:
- Avoid exposing your scars to UV light by wearing sunscreen and protective clothing to help keep scars from darkening.
- Get regular exercise and eat a healthy diet to keep your weight stable to maintain results of body procedures, such as tummy tucks and liposuction.8
- Take care of your skin with a good skin care routine, including sunscreen, to slow the effects of aging and maintain the results of facial procedures.8
- Talk to your surgeon about scar care and treatments, such as scar massage, to help heal them and minimize their appearance.7
Getting Back to You After Plastic Surgery
Following your doctor’s instructions, taking care of yourself and attending follow-up appointments can help you get back to your routine and maximize your results after plastic surgery. You’ll need some patience, but before you know it, you can be enjoying the results of your cosmetic procedure.
Financing Plastic Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for plastic surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.
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