“Post-Operative Essentials” by Dr. Frank Soto Leon
1
2
1by Dr. Frank Soto Leon
After a plastic surgery procedure, patients usually go through recovery time of about a week to 6 months. This, of course, depends on how extensive the procedure was. Most of the time, it takes around 2 to 4 weeks before a patient can return to everyday normal duties such as work, chores and taking care of children. The healthier the patient, the fast the recovery time will be. Here are a few post-operation essentials that will help speed up recovery time.
- Prescription Medicines
Every patient will receive a set of prescription medicines from the physician and the surgeon. It is advisable that every plastic surgery patient follow the prescribed dosage of these medications every time pain is experienced. Pain increases the blood flow around the area which in turn results to bruising and reopening of surgical wounds. The bruised area and reopened wounds will take a longer time to recover. Prescription pain killers may sometimes be narcotic. Morphine is often used for patients who have undergone skin grafts to alleviate extreme pain. Judgment and orientation are easily blurred when a patient is taking narcotic pain killers. Plastic surgery patients should always be assisted by a trusted and responsible adult before and after the surgery. Patients will be extremely forgetful under these pain medications so it is advised to write down every dosage.
Hydration
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of fresh water is important to facilitate healing after plastic surgery. The anesthesia used during plastic surgery may lurk around the bloodstream for as long as 3 days after the surgery. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water everyday will help flush it through urine and sweat.
- Vitamins and Minerals
The body can only heal itself if it has the enough amounts of vitamins and minerals to support the functions of the immune system and the cells. Vegetable and fruits are a must. As it can be confusing to remember which fruit or vegetable to eat, a good tip that is often given is to look for fruits and vegetables with colors that correspond to each rainbow colors.
- Vitamin C and K
These vitamins are so important that they need to be discussed further. Vitamin C strengthens the body’s immune system, making it easier to fight infections. When combined with vitamin A and E, it produces a very strong antioxidant. Collagen formation is also aided by vitamin C. Vitamin K promotes proper blood clotting, therefore speeding up wound healing.
Your Opinion?
Dr. Frank Soto Leon
Latest posts by Dr. Frank Soto Leon (see all)
- “Post-Operative Essentials” by Dr. Frank Soto Leon - February 2, 2015
