Because the surgery is typically performed with general anesthesia, patients will feel groggy, tired, and nauseated during the first day of recovery as the drug slowly wears off.  Meanwhile, some patients are advised to spend a day or two at a hospital, although most can return home a few hours after the procedure.

To encourage faster recovery, plastic surgeons typically place surgical drains in the incision site before the abdomen is covered with a dressing and compression garment.  This technique will also minimize swelling and prevent excess fluids and blood from accumulating beneath the skin.

While pain and discomfort are the most pronounced during the first few days of recovery, the symptoms can be controlled with prescribed or over-the-counter pain relievers, which are often complemented with antibiotics to prevent infection.

Most of the swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the abdominal area will subside about one to three weeks after surgery as the incisions heal and the body adjusts to its new shape.  However, some residual symptoms may last for several months, although they are supposed to improve as days go by.

Temporary swelling is the most common side effect of tummy tuck surgery.  If the symptom can be controlled, it will likely result to faster recovery and immediate result.

Meanwhile, this is a list of postoperative care proven to reduce swelling after tummy tuck:

• stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids during recovery
• resort to a low-sodium, high-protein diet
• get plenty of rest and sleep
• use cold compress according to the surgeon’s instruction
• gently massage the abdominal area to improve blood circulation
• wear compression garment; this will not only encourage the body fluids to drain out immediately but also make the skin heal closer to the body, resulting to a flatter appearance
• avoid medications such as antidepressants and steroids which are known to worsen the swelling

Wearing compression garment as directed has been found to significantly reduce the risk of sagging appearance.

Because getting plenty of rest is crucial during recovery, most plastic surgeons advise their patients to take about two weeks off from work, gradually resuming their normal activities so their body can slowly adjust.

Panniculectomy is probably the most popular plastic surgery procedure for massive weight loss patients as it targets the midsection of the body, the area which has the most tendency to develop hanging skin and tissues that may lead to back problem, breakdown of skin, ulcers, irritation, foul odor, and poor hygiene.

Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) is different from panniculectomy, although these two plastic surgery procedures treat the abdomen.  In abdominoplasty, plastic surgeons reshape and tighten the underlying muscles and eliminate the excess skin and fats, but in panniculectomy, they only remove the hanging skin and fats.

In some cases, panniculectomy is performed with another abdominal surgery such as hysterectomy (surgical removal of a woman’s reproductive organ) or repair of the abdominal wall.

According to plastic surgery specialists, candidates for this procedure should have excess skin and fats extending as low as their hips, genitals, and buttocks to the extent that walking, sitting, and standing have become relatively difficult.

To make sure that the result of panniculectomy will most likely last a lifetime, plastic surgeons require their patients to have a stable weight for at least one year or even longer if they have had lap band or gastric bypass surgery to make sure that they are no longer nutritionally deficient due to the sudden decrease of food intake.

Plastic surgeons start the procedure by administering general anesthesia that will put their patients in a state similar to sleep.  And once the drug takes effect, they will create a vertical incision that starts from the lower area of the breast bone (sternum) to the pubic bone, and another horizontal cut that covers the pubic area.

Through these incisions, plastic surgery specialists can remove the excess skin and fats and then pulled together the remaining skin to close the surgical wound.  In some cases, small tubes are inserted to drain the excess fluids which can promote faster recovery.

As with any surgery, panniculectomy involves risk of complications and recovery.  With this, it is important for patients to rigidly follow their surgeon’s post-operative instruction that will reduce the risks and promote faster healing.

During the recovery period, patients are restricted to lift more than 10 lbs. and perform rigorous exercises that may put pressure on their abdominal area.

In Los Angeles plastic surgery, most doctors perform the procedure under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, depending on the extensiveness of the incision and other factors.

Once the medication takes effect, plastic surgeons will create an incision pattern that will largely depend on the location and amount of excess skin to be removed.  But to make the scarring less noticeable, most of them place the surgical cut on the inside of the arm which starts from the armpit to just above the elbow.

For patients who only have a minimal flap of skin, most plastic surgery specialists believe that a shorter incision across the underarm is usually enough for them.

Through this incision, doctors in LA plastic surgery can place deep, internal sutures to tighten and reshape the tissues, and remove any excess skin and fats.  If there is a significant amount of fatty deposits, they may perform liposuction to further create a slimmer upper arm.

After creating a new contour, doctors will then close the incision sites with absorbable sutures or stitches which are usually removed one or two weeks after the arm lift surgery.  (It is important to remove the stitches at an exact date to prevent unnecessary scarring.)

Immediately after the procedure, most patients will notice that their upper arm’s contour is smoother and tighter.  And over time, its appearance will further improve as the swelling, bruising, and bulges subside.

As with any cosmetic surgery, arm lift involves certain risks and recovery.  For these reasons, plastic surgeons perform physical examination and other types of screening test to make sure that their patients are not suffering from major health problems that can increase their chance of developing complications such as bleeding and delayed healing.

The good thing about arm lift, according to plastic surgeons, is that its result usually lasts a lifetime as long as the patients will maintain a stable, normal weight by engaging in a regular exercise, active lifestyle, and healthy diet.

But as the body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness in the upper arm, although patients can expect that most of the improvements are relatively permanent.

Breast massage can also make the bust more symmetrical and make its appearance more natural, according to plastic surgery specialists.

It is important to note that each doctor has a slightly different preference when it comes on how and when to perform breast massage.  However, most plastic surgeons believe that patients should start massaging their breast the day after their operation by applying a very gentle but steady pressure in the area using both hands for two minutes.  This is then repeated on the other breast.

The main purpose of breast massage and compression exercise is to push the implants to the outermost corners of the pockets in order to create a more symmetrical appearance.  Most doctors in plastic surgery require their patients to perform these procedures for at least three months, while others even recommend doing these exercises for up to a year.

Patients should perform breast massage a day after breast augmentation, or at least several days after the procedure even though the breasts are still tender at this point.  In this way, the shape, appearance, and feel of the breasts will become more natural.

About a week after performing breast massage, the process becomes more comfortable to most patients.

As the breast tissues become less tense, plastic surgeons may require their patients to decrease the time spent on performing breast massage and compression exercise.  However, most of them would recommend continuing these procedures for at least three months even if the breast feels soft and the implants are moving freely.

While massaging the breasts, patients should not pinch the implants to prevent damaging the shell.  To be on the safe side, they should ask their doctors on how to perform this procedure correctly and should immediately seek medical attention if they experience any sharp pain, burning, flushing, and hardness or tightening of the breast implants.

Meanwhile, not all plastic surgery specialists recommend breast massage particularly if the patients have textured or teardrop implants.  This is because the textured shell may pull the tissue if the breasts are massaged or compressed while the teardrop-shaped implants already look natural as they simulate the contour of a real bosom.

As with any plastic surgery, breast augmentation requires recovery that largely depends on the implant placement, incision site, implant size, and other surgical approach that have been utilized.  However, majority of patients will experience a post-surgical recovery that is associated with pronounced pain and discomfort which will subside a day or two.

To prevent complications and promote faster healing, patients should avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting for several weeks.  Nonetheless, they should start walking as soon as possible to promote better blood flow that will result to faster healing, prevent blood clots, and minimize swelling.

According to plastic surgeons, lying in bed most of the time may retard the healing process, slow down the metabolism, result to blood clots in the legs and lungs, and prolong the swelling which may even lead to more serious complications.

It is very important for patients to follow all the post-operative instructions of their plastic surgeons especially in terms of medications (they must avoid aspirin, supplements, and certain anti-inflammatory drugs), proper hygiene and care to prevent infection, use of surgical garments and supports, and avoidance of alcohol and tobacco.

In some cases, plastic surgery specialists require their patients to perform breast massage so the implants can “settle” properly and minimize the risk of capsular contracture, a complication in which the surrounding tissue squeezes the implants, resulting to painful, distorted breasts.  However, the massage should not be done aggressively to prevent damaging the implants and injuring the surgical site.

During the first few days of recovery, patients should have someone by their side to take care of them and help them move around.  Ideally, they should also take some time off from work to have enough rest and sleep, which can lead to faster recovery.

After their plastic surgery, patients are required to visit their doctors periodically to check if there is any complication.  But if a person experiences shortness of breath, unusual heart beat, bleeding in the surgical site, and chest pain, they should not wait for the next visit and immediately seek medical attention.

Meanwhile, patients should remember that following their plastic surgeon’s instruction is the key to a successful surgery.

Because every patient has a specific aesthetic problem, plastic surgeons have developed different surgical techniques in performing ethnic rhinoplasty.  This usually includes augmentation to increase the size, suturing to reduce the base of the nostrils, and cartilage grafting to refine or lengthen the nasal tip.

For Asian-Americans, the most common technique for them is the nose lift or augmentation since their bridge and tip usually lack any prominence.  In some cases, their nasal bridge even “disappears” from the eyelashes when viewed sideways.

To correct this aesthetic problem, many plastic surgeons will just reshape the cartilage to increase the size of the nose.  But in case that there is not enough supply of this tissue, they may graft this behind the ear without affecting its function or appearance, or in some cases, in the rib or pelvis.  By using a patient’s own cartilage, there is no risk of adverse reaction and rejection.

But in case the patients do not want to have an additional surgery from cartilage grafting, their plastic surgeons may recommend the use of Gore-tex which is said to be the safest implant for rhinoplasty due to its high tissue compatibility.  According to a study, this material has a porous structure that allows tissue to grow inside and become part of the nose, thus resulting to a more natural look.

For Hispanic patients who usually have a thick skin and fats on the nasal tip (which makes it appear round and bulbous), dermal fat removal and suturing technique can alter this aesthetic problem.  In certain instances, manipulating or reshaping the cartilage can also improve this part of the nose.

Some Hispanics also have a flat bridge or hump in the ridge of the nose.  To improve their appearance, reshaping the cartilage is also an effective plastic surgery technique for these patients.

For African-American, cartilage grafting is also a good approach as it can remove the humps and decrease the size of the bridge or tip.  If needed, an excision is placed at the base of their nose to correct the nostrils that are too large, although some plastic surgery specialists allow a slight nostril flare which looks natural and even flattering to certain patients.

One of the most important pre-operative instructions for patients is to avoid herbal supplements which are found to have negative effects during and after plastic surgery.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), most of these natural supplements can aggravate bleeding and prevent normal healing.

These are some of the most popularly herbal supplements which are found to have dangerous side effects during and after a surgery:

• Ephedra

This supplement is used to promote weight loss, treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma, and increase the energy level of a person.  However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned this agent which is found to raise blood pressure, and increase heart and metabolic rate that may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

• Echinacea

This is commonly used to treat or prevent bacterial, viral, and fungal infection from chronic wound, arthritis, and ulcer.  However, some studies suggested that this supplement may cause immunosuppression and lead to delayed healing and infection.

• Chondroitin

This agent is often used to treat osteoarthritis.  However, people who are taking this supplement has a higher risk of complications related to uncontrollable bleeding during surgery.  Meanwhile, the effect of this agent can be further aggravated if a person is taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin.

• Glucosamine

This supplement is usually mixed with chondroition and contains chemical substances which can simulate the effect of insulin that may lead to hypoglycemia during the operation.

Aside from these herbal supplements, ginseng, garlic, kava, gingko biloba, milk thistle, and goldenseal may also cause dangerous side effects to patients undergoing plastic surgery such as breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, etc.

What Patients Should Do

It is very important for patients to tell all their previous and current medications, including the herbal supplements they are using, to their plastic surgeons.  (Some people would just ignore this information thinking that supplements are harmless because these are natural.)

For patients taking supplements, particularly those examples stated above, are required to stop using these for a certain period of time which can range from one day to several months before and after the surgery.

A well healed face lift scar

Your golfing pal, a work colleague, a family member or somebody else you have not seen for a while shows up looking like a million dollars.

And we don’t mean all green and wrinkled!

He or she looks well rested, confident and just plain good. So good in fact, you have to wonder what’s going on. Lost weight? A vacation? A big raise at work? A new love interest maybe?

One of the leading signs of excellent, healed cosmetic plastic surgery: the person just looks great but you can’t put your finger on the exact change.

Okay, start with the ears.

A face lift usually leaves a very light scar running in front of the ears. Sometimes, the incision goes into the ear so the scar line may be hidden better. But it will start again at the bottom of the ear.

A neck lift also does its work via incisions behind the ears – which you can’t easily see – but the incision often leaves a little healing spot at the bottom of the ear.

There will also be a chin scar facing his or her shoes.

Almost everybody over 50 has loose, hanging skin on the neck. Closer to 60, two vertical cords in the front of the neck running from just under the chin down to the chest start appearing. Those two cords – often known as the “turkey gobbler” lines — are often surgically repaired so they no longer show.

Has the person’s expressions changed?

Normal aging causes the corners of the mouth to turn down, giving the person an angry look. Heavy wrinkling on the forehead between the eyebrows can cause a person to look extremely worried while bags under the eyes and crow’s feet make others think the person is tired.

But if those expressions suddenly bespeak happiness, contentment and energy, it could be cosmetic plastic surgery with Botox for the wrinkles.

Breast augmentation surgery usually speaks for itself through noticeably increased size. If you’re an intimate of the person, breast enlargement scars are usually located around the areola, under the breasts or in the armpits.

A well done, healed nose job is very hard to spot because most rhinoplasty surgery is done inside the nose.

Even the most subtle nose changes redirect your glance to the person’s eyes, making the whole face somehow look better.

Not to worry, his wife or girlfriend has not come into the room.

It’s just that the very long history of honey in medicine – which started with the ancient Egyptians – has reached the world of cosmetic plastic surgery.

Back in 2000, word about the cure of a 20-year-old, very stubborn wound being finally cured with honey flashed around the world. Turns out, the sticky stuff was Manuka honey from New Zealand.

Manuka has since been proven to have curative properties, not only in plastic surgery but to treat several other medical woes and conditions. (Manuka is now known as MediHoney.)

Harvest time is understandably a little tough in the troubled land of Yemen but a type of honey — Sidr Honey of Yemen — has also been positively tested for its medical properties.

But the ancient Egyptians would have merely yawned. Honey in wound healing way back then was used to treat, among other conditions:

• Burns
• Combat wounds
• Construction accidents (Pyramid construction is a tough gig!)
• Cataracts
• Skin ulcers

Honey is already being tested in certain nose surgery procedures. Canadian researchers, lead by Dr. Joseph G. Marsan at the University of Ottawa, used honey in the lab on the bacteria that cause sinusitis.

According to Dr. Marsan, the problem has always been that super-powerful germs hide inside the nose under a thick covering known as biofilms, which can’t be penetrated by “even the most powerful anti-microbials.”

Some sinusitis suffers ask plastic surgeons for a procedure that opens and allows the sinus cavities to drain.

Manuka honey and Sidr honey are powerful enough to zap through the biofilm and kill the bacteria.

Most cosmetic surgery incisions heal just fine but some can be problematic. In fact, infection is the most common (and dreaded) complications after cosmetic plastic surgery.

Across the board, year in and year out, one percent of cosmetic plastic surgery patients will have an infection.

Medical honey helps by:

• Providing a protective barrier
• Slowly releasing its hydrogen peroxide
• Killing germs in the wound
• Reducing inflammation
• Speeding growth of healthy skin

So the day may come when plastic surgeons may truly say to a special person:  “Honey! I shrunk the wound!”

The Women Healthy Blog

Read more about coping with bad plastic surgery but don’t be alarmed by all the disastrous results. Provided you have wisely chosen a plastic surgeon, most unsatisfactory cosmetic surgery just leaves the patient wanting better results, not threatening a life.

Nationwide, about 15 percent of plastic surgery requires some touch up, additional nips or even a surgical revision. So in your first meeting, discuss the procedure if surgery is not pleasing.

If you are unhappy for some reason, make another appointment with your surgeon and explain the source of your dissatisfaction. He or she will be glad to spend extra time with you because most of any surgeon’s new patients come from referrals from happy patients.

In the profession, cosmetic plastic surgeons know that one happy patient will bring in three more. But one disgruntled patient will drive away ten interested patients.

First, review your before and after plastic surgery pictures. Some patients have in mind an exaggerated concept about their rejuvenation should look. Compare your current, healed results to how you looked before surgery.

That often resolves it. Many minor touch ups can be done in the surgeon’s office.

For instance, if you have saline implants and are unhappy with the size (the number one complaint in breast augmentation surgery!) more fluid can easily be added. If your nose job has minor errors, Juvederm can be used as a filler.

If you are still unhappy, ask for a second opinion from a plastic surgeon who frequently does your procedure. For instance, perhaps you’ve had rhinoplasty and really wanted a smaller nose. But your plastic surgeon says making your nose as small as you want would compromise your breathing. All physicians are required by law, oath and ethics to act in patients’ best interests so put the question and medical records to a neutral – but qualified – third party.

The bottom line is, you are a walking ad for your surgeon’s skills. He or she wants you to look good!