The ultimate guide to recovery after plastic surgery

Are you opting for plastic surgery? Then perhaps the recovery process after surgery is just as important as the surgery itself! Plastic surgery experiences are generally better when you have a good understanding beforehand of what to expect in terms of aftercare and recovery. This comprehensive guide from Wellness Kliniek informs you in steps what you need to know about recovery after plastic surgery. Also use the handy checklist at the bottom.

Preparing for recovery

• Plan ahead: Make sure you have a plan for your recovery period. Think about getting enough rest, help from friends or family if needed and any adjustments to your daily routine. Some popular treatments such as breast augmentation have only a short recovery period and these require few adjustments in your daily routine. However, for other more invasive operations such as gastric bypass or tummy tuck, you should expect a longer recovery period and it is wise to plan well in advance.
  In each case, we will tell you on the treatment pages for each operation what recovery period you can expect. This will also be discussed during your consultation with the doctor.
• Follow your surgeon's instructions: During your consultation and on the day of surgery, your surgeon at the Wellness Kliniek will give you specific instructions on aftercare and recovery after your surgery. It is crucial to follow these instructions carefully to achieve the best results.

Immediately after surgery

• Rest: For many treatments at Wellness Kliniek, adequate rest after your surgery is vital. Make sure you get enough sleep and relax to allow your body to focus on healing.
• Pain: You may experience discomfort after surgery. Make sure you take the prescribed painkillers on time and use other pain-relieving methods, such as ice compresses, if necessary. However, always consult your surgeon first on what is and is not recommended. Moreover, always contact us if the pain is unbearable or if you suspect something is wrong. You will receive a direct contact method so that you can reach the surgeon who operated on you in case of an emergency.

Wound care

• Keep the wound clean: Always follow your surgeon's instructions for cleaning and caring for the wound. The surgeon may prescribe certain ointments or dressings for this purpose.
• Prevent infections: Pay close attention to signs of a possible infection, such as redness, swelling or pus. If in doubt about an infection, always contact your doctor.

Diet

• Healthy diet: Choose to eat healthy food to support the recovery process. Consider foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This helps drain toxins from the body and supports healthy recovery.
• Alcohol and drugs: Avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs in any case, for at least six weeks, prior to surgery and during your recovery. These substances can have a negative impact on your body's recovery.

Exercise

• Listen to your body: While light exercise can help recovery in many cases, it is important to listen to your body and not overdo it. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities that put pressure on the treatment areas.
• Sports and other physical activities: Your surgeon will tell you how long after surgery it is best to wait before resuming your daily routine or exercising. Stick to this for optimal recovery. The surgeon will also tell you when you can return to driving or showering, for example.

Emotional aspects

• Be patient: The recovery process can be emotionally challenging. Be patient and kind to yourself while your body heals. Moreover, note that it can often take quite some time before the final results are visible. For instance, in breast augmentation, we call this the 'Drop & Fluff' effect, while in rhinoplasty too, it can take up to 12 months for your nose to fully heal and set.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family or possibly a therapist if you are struggling to cope with the emotional aspects of the recovery process. We hear this regularly and it's certainly nothing to be ashamed of at all.

Follow-up with your surgeon

• Follow-up appointments: Make sure you are present during follow-up appointments with your surgeon. This allows the surgeon to assess the progress of your recovery and discuss any concerns. Not all treatments at Wellness Kliniek require follow-up, we will discuss this with you beforehand.
• Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions or share any concerns. This can be done during your follow-up, but our team is also always ready to help you over the phone or digitally with the right aftercare.

Choose a good clinic

Of course, important for a good recovery is also that you choose a good quality clinic from the outset that can offer you correct care as well as aftercare. At Wellness Kliniek Belgium and Barcelona, we offer the quality guarantee of ISO 9001 certification. Wellness Kliniek is therefore regularly independently assessed to keep meeting the strict requirements of this certification. Moreover, Wellness Kliniek has been named Europe's number one clinic based on real patient reviews by the independent platform WhatClinic.

Checklist

Preparing for recovery:

• Plan ahead for your recovery period, including rest, help from friends/family, and adjustments in your routine.
• Carefully follow your surgeon's specific instructions for aftercare and recovery.

Immediately after surgery:

• Ensure adequate rest and relaxation to promote healing.
• Take prescribed painkillers on time and use other pain relief methods if necessary. Contact your surgeon in case of excruciating pain.

Wound care:

• Keep the wound clean as per your surgeon's instructions.
• Be alert for signs of infection and contact if in doubt.

Diet:

• Eat healthy, with a focus on protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery.

Exercise:

• Listen to your body; avoid strenuous exercise.
• Follow advice from your surgeon on when you can resume daily activities and sports.

Emotional aspects:

• Be patient and kind to yourself during recovery.
• Seek support from friends, family or a therapist.

Follow-up with your surgeon:

• Be present at important follow-up appointments.
• Ask questions and share concerns during your follow-up or via phone/digital contact.

Choose a safe clinic with expert surgeons:

• Make sure you choose a clinic with quality assurance, such as Wellness Kliniek's ISO 9001 certification.