After a cosmetic surgery you can have a smooth recovery at home if you plan ahead.

Ask your physician what are the things you should stop doing while you recover, and seek your family or friends for help to make your home a comfortable area, better adapted for your healing needs.

99% of the time, the post-surgical recovery is quicker than expected.

Read this article thoroughly, do your homework, and plan in advance so you, can enjoy a smooth recovery and go back as quick and safe as possible to your normal routine.

Precautions you should take to have a good surgery recovery

Obviously, the precautions will depend on the type of surgery that you will undergo. If it is a complex procedure, you will possibly need to make some changes at home (physical and in the daily routine of your family).

For example: if your bedroom is upstairs and the doctor recommended you not to move up and down the stairs, it is possible that you will need to sleep downstairs for a while.

Also ask your doctor if you must follow a special diet and make sure that your pantry has proper food. It is possible that you may feel tired during most of your recovery. Help yourself by preparing some meals before the procedure and freeze them.

How to avoid falls

Many patients get dizzy because they have not had a full meal for a couple of days, and for being long periods of time in bed.

To avoid unnecessary tripping, place your bed near the bathroom, leave the hallway lights on, use slippers or comfortable sandals to walk around.

Which are your limitations?

The surgery could soak up your energy for a couple of days or weeks after it. You have to ask yourself first if your family will be able to help you.

You will not be able to drive at least for 48 hours after the surgery. You must wait until the effect of the anesthesia has worn off completely and all your senses are fully restored. After some types of surgeries, you may even have to avoid driving until your recovery is more advanced, that is why you should come to the surgery with a family member or a friend.

Some types of procedures, such as face surgeries, make air flights a bad idea, because air pressure changes could affect the result and be harmful.

You need to define with the clinic staff how long you must wait to go back to work. Even after going back, you may still need to be very careful. Depending on the type of surgery you have undergone, if you work sitting down, taking breaks every hour for a 10 minute walk will be very helpful. This is to reduce the risk of suffering blood clots or excessive swelling.

What type of complications you should look after?

You shouldn’t have fever, and the pain shouldn’t get worst, or you shouldn’t feel pain when urinating. Besides checking your heart rate, you should be vigilant about any nausea or vomit that lasts more than 24 hours.

If you want to know more about how to manage mood swings and expectations after a cosmetic surgery procedure, look at this infographics: