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If you’re preparing for plastic surgery, it’s understandable to want the best possible results. The good news? You can take many steps while healing to ensure your recovery goes as smoothly and efficiently as possible, so you can get back to feeling like yourself and enjoying the outcome of your cosmetic procedure sooner.

At UCI Plastic Surgery, we recommend taking a strategic approach to recuperating from surgery – from taking light walks around your yard or neighborhood to having a consistent medication schedule and keeping up with your hygiene. These activities will help you heal faster, minimize recovery, and allow you to resume your regular routine more quickly. Keep reading for things you can incorporate into your post-op routine to help it go smoothly and have the best results.

1. Inspect Your Incisions

Looking at your surgical incisions may not be your favorite thing to do, but it’s essential to do so several times per day. Check to see if the incisions look pink or red, and if there is any drainage from the wound. If so, what color is it? Are the stitches or staples still intact? This daily inspection is vital, as it helps you and your doctor determine if your surgical site is continuing to heal or if it’s become infected and it needs a little extra help.

2. Eat and Drink Properly

Many people lose their appetite after surgery. You may feel nauseated, constipated, or forget to eat because they don’t feel hungry. But staying hydrated and well-fed after surgery gives your body the fuel it needs to heal. Food and water also provide your body with essential nutrients to minimize complications, while helping you flush out residual traces of anesthesia.

At every meal, combine lean proteins like chicken, fish, and eggs with plenty of fresh produce to give your body the energy it needs to continue healing.

3. Control the Pain

Keeping pain under control after surgery is crucial. Still, some patients resist the idea of taking prescription pain pills, either because they fear they’ll become dependent on the medication or they experience undesirable side effects like drowsiness.

Taking your medication on a consistent schedule can dramatically benefit your surgical results. Your body needs plenty of rest when recovering from surgery, and this medication allows you to do so more comfortably.

Recover More Quickly at UCI Plastic Surgery in Orange County, CA

These tips – plus following your surgeon’s post-op instructions and keeping your follow-up appointments – will ensure your surgical results are everything you’ve hoped for. At UCI Plastic Surgery, we’ll be available to you throughout your journey, always providing additional advice and information to benefit your recovery. To learn more, contact a location near you by filling out an online form today!