What To Do After Cosmetic Surgery: Post-Operation Instruction and Care
Plastic surgery (otherwise known as cosmetic surgery or reconstruction surgery) covers a broad range of procedures to help sculpt and enrich existing features to achieve a desired look or appearance. The most commonly performed of these procedures include rhinoplasty (a cosmetic surgery to alter the nose) and blepharoplasty (a surgery to cosmetically lift eyelids).
Each cosmetic surgery has different post-operation instructions and care guidelines — all of which we’ll cover below.
One note: these instructions are provided as a general guide for what you can expect following cosmetic surgery, but always refer to the postoperative guidelines provided by your doctor.
How should I expect to feel immediately after cosmetic surgery?
Your immediate post-operation experience and instruction will be influenced by the type of cosmetic surgery you had and your unique recovery process.
After a rhinoplasty, here’s what to expect:
You must have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery. You'll likely feel drowsy at first, so rest is encouraged — especially right away. You'll want to sleep with your head elevated or in a recliner for the first few nights following your surgery and should expect the following:
- A moderate amount of discharge from your nose
- Bruising and swelling that typically peaks on day 3 but will start to subside within 1-3 weeks
- Mild to moderate pain, even with the safe use of prescription pain medication
After a blepharoplasty, here’s what to expect:
Your immediate post-operation experience and instruction will be influenced by the type of cosmetic surgery you had and your unique recovery process. Please note: some patients experience blurry vision or dry eyes that will typically resolve within a few days.
You will need to have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours following surgery. One of the most important things to remember after this procedure is that you must not rub your eyes afterward. You'll also want to sleep with your head elevated or in a recliner for the first few nights following your surgery. You should expect the following:
- A slight amount of oozing or bleeding coming from the incision site for the first 36-48 hours following surgery
- Swelling, bruising and discoloration around your eyes for 10-14 days following surgery that typically peaks on day three and can present unevenly between your eyes
- Mild to moderate pain, even with the safe use of prescription pain medication that can be relieved with extra strength Tylenol (do not exceed 4,000mg in 24 hours)
How should I limit my activity and diet after cosmetic surgery?
The cosmetic surgery post-operation instructions we provide are always going to be slightly different depending on the unique person and procedure. Always be sure to follow the restrictions and guidelines provided by your surgical team.
Please take your prescription pain medication as prescribed; you may also alternate with extra-strength Tylenol (do not exceed 4000 mg of Tylenol in 24 hours) if needed.
For rhinoplasty, you will likely face the following restrictions:
- No bending over, hard chewing, getting your cast wet, air travel or lifting over 10 lbs for 7 days
- No blowing your nose or sneezing through your mouth
- Avoid alcohol and aspirin for the 2 weeks before and after your surgery
- No glasses following surgery for two weeks, though contacts can be worn after the swelling subsides
- No swimming for one month and no diving for two months
- Wait at least six weeks before resuming any contact sports
For blepharoplasty, you will likely face the following restrictions:
- No bending over for lifting more than 10 lbs for the first week
- No wearing contact lenses for at least the first 10 days
- Avoid alcohol and aspirin for the 2 weeks before and after your surgery
- No strenuous activity for 10 days after surgery
- Resume using eye creams, eyelash serums, etc. after 14 days
How do I clean and change my bandages after cosmetic surgery?
Safe and clean swapping of bandages is an important part of post-operation instruction for cosmetic surgery. Here’s how we recommend handling it:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching the bandages or surgical site.
- Carefully remove the old bandage or dressing according to your surgeon's instructions. If the dressing is stuck, use warm water to loosen it.
- Use a sterile saline solution or other cleaning solution recommended by your surgeon to clean the surgical area. Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel.
- Apply a fresh, sterile dressing or bandage as instructed by your surgeon, making sure it covers the entire surgical area and is snug but not too tight.
- Wash your hands again after handling the bandages or dressing.
What should I have prepared at home for postoperative care?
The most important things to have prepared — other than necessary medications and bandages — are the items you’ll need to be comfortable during your rest and recuperation. Having the following on hand will also help you make your recovery as stress-free as possible:
- Prescribed medication. Make sure you have all the medications your surgeon has prescribed for you, including necessary pain relievers and antibiotics.
- Ice packs. Ice packs can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Prepare a few ice packs in advance and make sure you have a way to keep them cold.
- Clean towels or cloths. You may need to change bandages or clean the surgical area, so it's a good idea to have clean gauze, bandages, towels or cloths on hand.
- Saline solution/ Hydrogen peroxide. Your surgeon may recommend a saline solution for cleaning the surgical area. Make sure you have enough on hand beforehand so you don’t have to worry about it while you’re in pain.
- Soft foods. Depending on the type of surgery you had, you may need to stick to soft foods for a few days. Stock up on soups, yogurt, pudding and other soft foods that you enjoy.
- Entertainment. You may be spending more time at home than usual, so make sure you have podcasts, books, movies or other forms of entertainment to keep yourself occupied.
Where can I find more details about postoperative care for specific cosmetic surgeries?
If you’d like to take a closer look at post-operation instructions for the cosmetic surgery you’re expecting to take, feel free to review the following:
Cosmetic plastic surgery offers an immense amount of relief and renewed confidence, but it’s still surgery. Making sure you know what to expect helps make the process as stress-free and straightforward as possible. Schedule with us today to see how easy it is for yourself.
