Plastic Surgery Dos and Don'ts

What is plastic surgery?

Plastic surgery is a speciality surgery undertaken to improve a person's physical appearance; or reconstruct the face or body parts disfigured due to illness, accident, trauma, congenital or even cancer. There are two concepts to this surgery.

• When it is done by choice –as aesthetic surgery to improve the shape of the body. It is known as cosmetic surgery.

• When it is a necessity-The surgery is done to save life or reconstruct the face or body. This type of surgery is called plastic surgery.

The charges for surgery vary from Dh 150-250 for a simple filler to Dh 40,000for detailed body sculpting.

Before preparing for surgery, one should understand what is plastic surgery,

what type of surgery she has to undergo, what nature of anaesthesia to be given, will it require multiple surgeries etc. One should be very sure of the procedure, expenses, the outcome, the recovery time, risk involved etc.

Any surgery however minor it may be, when there is an incision and anaesthesia involved, there remains a risk of complications. Listed below are some dos and don’ts pre and post-surgery that you need to follow to make the procedure successful.

DO s before Plastic Surgery:

1. Get all the necessary laboratory tests and medical evaluations done; to check whether it is right for you to proceed with the surgery.

2. Eat a well-balanced meal with lots of fibre in it.

3. Keep yourself hydrated. Drink plenty of water.

4. Keep your house ready for your post-operative recovery. Prepare a separate room for yourself as you will need to rest for some days. Set up your bed with added pillows and old pillow covers. If possible, get a list of medicines and ointments you will need post-surgery, buy them and keep them ready.

5. Make arrangements for children and pets as it is better to stay away from getting too close to them, or you may get accidentally hurt.

6. Take a shower the evening before going for surgery. Do not apply any lotion or cream to your skin or hair.

7. Wear loose clothes that are easy to wear and open.

8. Ask your doctor and take leave from work for some days.

9. Take any medicine prescribed by the doctor.

10. Prepare yourself mentally for the surgery and the outcome.

DON’Ts before Plastic Surgery

1. Take Aspirin, Anti-inflammatory medicine, Alcohol, Multivitamins, Vitamin B, Vitamin E or Herbal supplements seven days before the surgery. They may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery and increase the chance of bruising and swelling after surgery.

2. Take any tobacco or nicotine product from two weeks before the surgery and specifically on the day of the surgery. It reduces the blood flow by shrinking the tiny vessels that help in healing.

3. Take any medicines the day before or on the day of the surgery. Take them only if the surgeon has asked you to do so.

4. Drink coffee for a few days as it increases blood pressure and can increase bruising.

5. Eat anything six hours before the surgery.

After the surgery, there remains a risk of infection. You must be careful so that a minor surgery does not turn into some major complications. Here are some dos and don'ts to follow after the surgery which will help you recover properly.

DOs after Plastic Surgery

1. Wear compression wrap as prescribed by the doctor.

2. Apply antibiotic ointment given by the doctor. It will prevent any infections and reduce swelling and irritation. Complete the whole course of oral antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor.

3. Take painkillers prescribed by the doctor 3-4 hours after the effect of the anaesthesia wears off.

4. Rest with your head in an upright position to reduce the swelling. To elevate your head, put two or three pillows under your head or use a recliner.

5. Take the help of a caretaker or someone to take care of you after the surgery till the incisions heal.

6. Eat fibrous and healthy food. Drink plenty of water.

7. Arrange for someone to take you home.

8. Follow the customised instructions given by the hospital or clinic.

DON’Ts after Plastic Surgery

1. Avoid doing strenuous activity for a few days as they may affect the incisions and hamper the healing process.

2. Do not expose yourself to sunlight for too long as the heat from the sun may lead to sweating which will cause irritation and increase swelling.

3. Do not lift anything heavy for six weeks.

4. Take a shower to keep the incisions clean but keep them dry. Dab yourself dry gently.

5. Do not judge before six months. Knowing what is plastic surgery you will recover fully after six months. Till then be patient.