When you have made the decision to have your surgery and you feel relieved and excited; ready for your transformation, there is one more important thing for you to consider…recovery time.
For your surgery to be as successful as possible, we ask that you follow the care teams advice to ensure you heal both physically and emotionally. Taking care of yourself and looking after your surgical wound area is extremely important and this care will make sure your cosmetic procedure has the best long-lasting results. Your nurse will be on hand and will ensure you are given full guidelines to work from.
Most people recover well after surgery and with the help of our care team there are more likely to be few side effects.
Some cosmetic surgery procedures can take days to recover from, others may take weeks or even months.
For nearly all procedures you will need to take some time off work and remain at home for a good start to your recovery. Depending on the exact procedure, your age, general health and wellbeing you may find the amount of time you will need to take off from work will vary.
Breast Surgery Procedures
Depending on which procedure you are having: breast augmentation, breast enlargement, breast reduction or breast uplift; there are some variables to the procedures that may alter recovery time.
We are all different and respond differently to surgery, but you should expect to take at least two weeks rest from work. Your body needs this time to heal and recover.
Of course your surgeon will asses you individually and make recommendations specific to your job or level of daily activity. Your breast care nurse will be there to guide you, and can provide advice on practical activities such as driving, lifting, childcare and leisure.
As part of your aftercare you will be invited back to the clinic for follow-up examinations where your surgeon will monitor your healing and recovery process and will be able to provide a more definitive timeline for recovery expectations and a return to work.
What About My Tummy Procedures?
Liposuction – The recovery process after liposuction will depend very much on the size of the area targeted and will vary from person to person, but in most cases, recovery is usually quick and the pain you experience should be manageable with over-the-counter pain-relief medications. Generally, you should be able to return to work within a few days and within a couple of weeks you will be back up to your normal pace; more extensive surgery may take a slightly longer recovery time. Your aftercare team are always on hand to guide you through any queries you may have following your procedure.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) – Depending on whether you have a partial (mini) or full tummy tuck the length of time before you return to work may be affected. You should expect to take between four to six weeks off work, it may take several weeks before any swelling or bruising goes down and you feel fully recovered. Another thing to consider is that you will not be permitted to drive for a few weeks following surgery; your insurance company will provide their exact legislation, but if you drive to and from work, you will need to factor this into your recovery plan. As with all surgery, recovery time can vary between our patients, however our aftercare team will provide you will support and advice during your follow-up appointments and throughout your time with us.
Face, Neck, Eyes and Nose
Face and Neck – Surgical techniques will involve an incision into the skin, which means your face or neck will be fully bandaged to support and protect the stitched area. You should expect bruising and swelling to bell be visible for at least two weeks and we recommend that you take between two to four weeks rest from work; of course dependant upon your response to surgery and the type of work you do; less or more physically strenuous work will be taken into consideration. Your surgery aftercare team will provide guidance and advice at your follow-up appointments, advising when you should return to work.
Eyes (Blepharoplasty) and Nose (Rhinoplasty)
Eyes (Blepharoplasty) – Whether you are having upper or lower eyelid surgery, your eyes will feel swollen, tender and bruised and any stitched area will be protected with a dressing, usually removed after one week. Initially, you may also experience some blurred vision which will feel disconcerting, but this will ease with time. We recommend that you take a rest from work after eye bag removal, for at least one week to give the stitches time to heal and for the swelling, bruising and tenderness in the delicate eye area to reduce.
Nose (Rhinoplasty) – Immediately following nose reshaping surgery you will be required to wear a splint and packs over your nostrils and eyes. You will need to wear the splint for a further seven to ten days and it is advisable that you do not return to work until the splint has been removed. There may still be some swelling and bruising around the facial area for a few more weeks, or possibly longer, so you may want to consider taking further time off from work until any discomfort or bruising has settled down. At your aftercare appointments, the care team will be with you to discuss your recovery and assist you with returning to work.
Our Commitment to Your Recovery
Our aftercare team offer each patient a full and unlimited recovery plan following their surgery and are with you all the way. We have a talented team of surgeons and care nurses who can guide you physically and emotionally through your journey. You will have regular follow-up appointments to monitor your recovery and healing process and a 24hour on-call nurse service, should you experience any concerns or queries, or you simply want to ask a question. Getting used to the new you and allowing time to rest and recover alongside our team is important to us – this is all about you.
Don’t just take our word for it, read some of the real reviews left by our patients following their surgery. Feedback to help you to get a good idea of what to expect when you book cosmetic surgery with Red Rose Desire.