Plastic Surgery Recovery: The Glasgold Group Difference
We believe that a positive surgical experience and recovery are an important aspect of your overall satisfaction with our services. Our goal is to provide high quality surgery with a rapid recovery in a supportive environment.
Recovery following plastic surgery will always involve some degree of bruising and swelling. The degree depends on the particular procedure, the extent of surgery and the patient’s natural tendency. We try to reduce this by using meticulous technique and applying homeopathic arnica to the surgical areas during and after the operation. After surgery you will continue to apply the homeopathic remedies we provide. The first few weeks are typified by rapid changes, first the dramatic onset of swelling and then the fairly rapid reduction in this swelling. Swelling will continue to resolve for months after the surgery but at a much slower pace and it is not unusual for a patient to feel that it took up to a year to feel completely normal.
Your life style has an important effect on your recovery. Patients, who have good nutritional balance, exercise regularly, don’t smoke and are near their ideal body weight will usually heal much more quickly. Many supplements and alcohol can have an anticoagulant effect which worsens bruising and we recommend discontinuing all supplements and minimizing alcohol as well as smoking cessation for at least two weeks prior to surgery. These may be restarted 48 hours after surgery.
Patients who want to maximize their healing may pursue a consultation with: SundanceWellness.com
When recovering from facial plastic surgery, it is recommended that you sleep with your head elevated with one or two extra pillows however, sleep is important to healing and nothing bad will happen if you need to sleep flat.
Patients are often concerned with sun exposure. You are free to go out in the sun just be smart; apply sunscreen and avoid burning (you will be a little more sensitive to burning for a few months following surgery).
For most of our procedures sutures are removed within one week. This is typically not painful and will be done by one of our medical assistants. We do not use drains in any procedures.
We believe that early return to exercise is important and speeds the healing process for all procedures except rhinoplasty. For the first 48 hours we recommend only activities of daily living. The next few days should be limited to no activity more strenuous than walking. Starting around 5 days after surgery we will clear you for all aerobic activities and lifting in a sitting or standing position. Abdominal exercises, yoga, pilates, (all classes and spinning) may take a few weeks to work up to, advance as your body allows you to. You can bend over to pick things up, but prolonged bending such as gardening and cleaning in the first few weeks will invariably result in significant swelling.
Most patients are presentable in social settings after the majority of swelling and bruising has subsided, which is generally around 1 to 2 weeks. The most difficult recoveries tend to be associated with lower eyelid procedures particularly when they are combined with other surgery. Swelling will peak at 48-72 hours post surgery and it is not uncommon for patients to feel scared at this time. Do not panic, this is temporary swelling and will resolve completely.
Patients often report the most unpleasant part of the surgical experience is the post surgical numbness. Areas will feel hard and wooden at first and then over a period of weeks to months feeling will return. The return of normal sensation is often preceded by sensations such as tingling and strange sensitivity.
The day of surgery you should have a family member or friend accompany you to your appointment and drive you home. It is strongly suggested that this person stay with you during your first night at home to monitor you and help with anything you may need.
If you have a question ask us, you have never been through this before and do not know what to expect. Never hesitate to contact us during your recovery period; we are always available to you.
Potential Risks
All plastic surgery involves risk. The rate of complications that can occur is very low when performed by a highly experienced Board Certified facial plastic surgeon in an accredited surgical facility. The surgeons at the Glasgold Group make safety a top priority and want you to be informed about any possible risks associated with your surgery.
Complications may arise in some patients when anesthesia or sedation is used, with an increased risk generally associated with general anesthesia. Additional complications of surgery may include:
- Blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Airway obstruction
- Nerve damage
- Temporary paralysis
- Infections
- Skin necrosis (skin death)
- Asymmetry
- Irregularities in the skin or contours of the face and body
- Scarring
You should not take aspirin, anti-inflammatory medication, and several other vitamins and herbal supplements prior to and after surgery. They may alter blood pressure, heart rate, and affect your immune system. Certain drugs may also cause negative reactions to anesthesia or prevent the blood from coagulating properly, which can lead to excessive bleeding. We can provide you with a list of medications and supplements to avoid.
It is also necessary that you stop smoking before surgery and during recovery. If you continue to smoke following your procedure the results may not be ideal. It is also advisable that you avoid secondary smoke since it can affect healing as well.
Cosmetic Surgery Recovery Frequently Asked Questions
There are many options available when it comes to rejuvenation of the face and body, both of the surgical and non-surgical nature. The doctors at the Glasgold Group are specialists in several procedures, which they perform with the most advanced techniques and technology. Your options at the Glasgold Group include facelift and necklift, rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, facial fat transfer, blepharoplasty, facial liposuction, Botox and injectables, otoplasty, and chin and cheek implants. Laser hair removal are also performed, in addition to natural breast augmentation with fat injections.
Surgeries at the Glasgold Group are performed in our AAAHC-certified operating suite. We utilize local anesthesia and/or IV sedation, also known as “twilight sleep,” during our procedures.
Your recovery will depend on what procedure is performed. Non-invasive procedures, such as Botox and injectable fillers, do not require downtime and patients are able to return to work and their other normal routines immediately afterwards. Other minimally invasive procedures may require only 2-3 days of recovery, while invasive procedures, such as facelift, require 1 to 2 weeks or longer off from work. Additional time may be needed for the newly positioned skin to fully settle after a procedure.
Choosing a qualified surgeon is a vital part of ensuring you will achieve your cosmetic goals. You will want to make sure the surgeon is certified by the the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS) or other recognized board. Board certification signifies they have completed the appropriate training and continue to meet stringent requirements. The surgeon should have privileges in an accredited hospital and perform surgery in a nationally or state accredited surgical facility. Additionally, you will want to ask how many procedures of the kind you are considering the physician has performed. Most importantly you should feel comfortable with the surgeon during your consultation.
Facelift Recovery
Forget what you hear from your friends and see in the media, we want you to have an experience and pleasant facelift recovery that exceeds your expectations.
Patients rarely have any significant pain after surgery because of our unique approach. Some post –surgical discomfort is normal but most of our patients say they did not need to take any pain medication. The rapid recovery from twilight sleep allows patients to walk out of our center usually less than an hour after the surgery. A light diet is suggested, but patients may eat whatever they feel like after surgery. Nausea is very rare.
Patients do not have any dressings, drains or sutures after surgery. During and after surgery we incorporate herbal and homeopathic treatments to reduce bruising and swelling. Patients may shower and wash their hair the day following surgery. The face and any incisions can get wet. For the first few days, we like patients to not exceed normal activities of daily living. You may drive as soon as you feel comfortable. Exercise is very important in healing and we like patients to start exercising as soon as their sutures are out around day 5. You may do any aerobic exercise in a sitting or standing position as well as lift light weights. Full exercise is usually resumed within 2 weeks. Most of our patients are able to return to work within one to two weeks.
Pain Expectations & Twilight Sleep Explained
The Recovery Process Explained
The Day of & The day After Facelift Surgery – Patient Testimonial
FACELIFT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our deep-plane facelift is performed using conscious sedation, also known as “twilight sleep.” You will feel as though you were asleep during the entire surgery. No pain will be felt at the time. During recovery, pain is also rare. Most patients feel only a mild discomfort. While pain medication will be available, it is possible you may not even need it.
All of our surgeries are performed in our AAAHC-certified operating suite on an outpatient basis.
Prior to plastic surgery, there are certain supplements and medications that must be discontinued for a specified amount of time for your safety during surgery and recovery. Most should be stopped about 2 weeks prior to surgery, though recommendations vary based on the substance. Patients must also cease smoking prior to and after surgery to reduce the risk of complications. You may consider quitting altogether, since smoking can negatively impact the longevity of your facelift. sundancewellness.com
Cost is an important consideration when electing to have surgery, especially since most insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures. The cost of a facelift varies among surgeons, based on their level of expertise and other factors. Our deep plane facelift cost may cost more than prices you have been quoted for other facelift techniques due to the limited number of surgeons with the advanced training necessary to perform the procedure. The cost is justified by the quick recovery, high safety standards, and comfort you feel in our office though. Call the Glasgold Group to inquire about deep plane facelift fees.
Rhinoplasty Recovery
Your journey to a reshaped, natural-looking nose is not solely completed in the operating room. Our rhinoplasty techniques will deliver the results you have been dreaming of, but not without a proper healing period. The below recovery guide is typical of our patients’ experiences after rhinoplasty surgery.
Recovery after Your Surgery
At the Glasgold Group, the rhinoplasty techniques we employ allows us to eliminate the need for nasal packing, which is uncomfortable and unnecessary. A small dressing is placed on the outside of the nose after surgery. The dressing and stitches are removed within one week of surgery.
Temporary swelling and bruising around the eyes and nose is expected… Your face may feel puffy, and the nose may be a bit achy. The discomfort can easily be controlled with prescription pain medication and a cold compress. By the second week most of the bruising will have faded. There will be significant changes in swelling over the first few weeks. After the first couple of months following surgery there will be continued, but more subtle reduction in swelling for as long as a year after surgery.
After 1 week, patients are able to return to work and other normal activities.
Strenuous activities and a full range of exercises, such a running and weight lifting, should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. Activities during which the nose is in danger of trauma should be avoided for 8 weeks.
Potential Risks
All plastic surgery procedures involve some degree of risk. Rhinoplasty is a particularly complex surgery with special attention needing to be given to both the form of the nose and its function. Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek out the services of a Board Certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty in order to limit the risk of complications.
In the appropriate candidate, significant risks associated with rhinoplasty are relatively rare. These include, but are not limited to, adverse reactions to anesthesia, infection, rupture of small surface blood vessels, bleeding, nose asymmetry, pain, and excessive scarring. These and other complications may result in the need for additional surgery, known as revision rhinoplasty.
In order to reduce chance of postoperative bleeding patients are instructed not to blow thier nose until the dressing has been removed, at around 1 week. Patients must also not take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, or products containing any of these medications for 10 days before surgery and for 3 week after surgery. Pain medication may be prescribed, or Tylenol can be used if necessary.
Your Rhinoplasty Consultation
Real Patient Testimonial for Rhinoplasty
Open Vs. Closed Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty FAQs
Cosmetic procedures are not covered by insurance, though some portion of rhinoplasty may receive coverage if the surgery is for reconstructive or functional purposes. You will need to confer with your insurance company to learn what they will or will not pay for.
Costs for rhinoplasty vary widely based on a surgeon’s experience and geographic location. More information about the cost of surgery will be made available during your private consultation at the Glasgold Group or can be obtained by contacting our office prior to consultation.
Prior to nose surgery it may be requested that you begin or cease the use of certain medications and herbal supplements. Some medications can cause complications, such as excessive bleeding. Rhinoplasty candidates should also stop smoking, as doing so can increase risks and jeopardize the optimal results of our procedures. The surgeon will provide you with further instructions on what you should do before the day of the procedure.
Rhinoplasty surgery is typically performed in about 3 hours.
The dressing and sutures are removed one week after surgery. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work, school, or other normal routines by 10 days after surgery. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. It may take up to 1 year for the last signs of minor swelling to diminish.
Fat Transfer Recovery
The Glasgold Group has been performing facial fat transfer since 1998 and authored the best selling medical text in the world on the subject, Complementary Fat Grafting. We remain at the forefront of facial fat transfer authoring chapters and teaching our techniques at national meetings. Our patients have demonstrated long term results and very high satisfaction.
Recovery after Your Surgery
After facial fat transfer you will feel very minor discomfort in the face, but will often have significant swelling and bruising particularly in the eye region. It is not uncommon for patients to be concerned with their appearance in the first 48 – 72 hours, but the swelling will begin to resolve fairly rapidly after this point. You will have bruising, swelling and noticeable discomfort at the harvest site.
Patients find that they will look a little puffy for a month or two following surgery but most are able to resume social activities and work within 2 weeks.
Fat is a living tissue and the healing process is very different for fat grafts than other procedures. As the early swelling resolves, patients may feel that the fat is mostly gone around the 6 month point. It takes about 8-12 months for the fat to become fully vascularized by the surrounding tissue and patients will continue to fill out their fat transfer for up to 2 years after the procedure. Because of this we strongly recommend waiting at least 1 year before a touch up to avoid long term overfilling.
Exercise can be resumed as soon after surgery as you are comfortable. Any exercise with a dependent head position such as yoga may be associated with temporary increase in swelling but overall we feel that exercise will speed the resolution of the swelling.
Potential Risks
Fat transfer is an extremely safe procedure with the benefit of using your own tissue. Infection is rare and there are no incisions. The most significant long term problems occur with either over correction or lumps of fat. Both of these problems can be treated but are best avoided which is why you want a surgeon with significant experience in this procedure. Under correction is not desirable but is easily corrected by a second transfer. It is extremely unusual for a third transfer to be needed.
Are You a Good Candidate for Fat Transfer?
The Healing Process Explained
Real Patient Testimonial for Fat Transfer
Fat Transfer Frequently Asked Questions
If you are in good health you may be a good candidate for facial fat transfer. You must be looking to improve your facial appearance by adding volume to areas where it has been lost and have realistic expectation about the results that can be achieved.
Facial fat transfer will not lift and tighten skin as a facelift can, jowls will not be significantly improved. A fat transfer is most effective when used to restore more global volumes rather than addressing a single isolated hollow. Fat transfer is not effective for filling surface lines or wrinkles which are better treated with injectable fillers.
It is important that you monitor your intake of medication, vitamins, and supplements prior to surgery since some substances can cause complications, such as reactions to anesthesia or excessive bleeding. They can also slow recovery. You must tell your doctor about any medications and supplements you are taking during your consultation. Some medications that you will be required to stop taking include aspirin, ibuprofen, MAOIs, vitamin E, and Echinacea. These are only a few of the drugs that must be stopped prior to the procedure and during recovery. Smoking should also be ceased. You may consider quitting smoking permanently, as it can inhibit the longevity of the fat transfer.
Dr. Mark Glasgold and Dr. Robert Glasgold are leading experts in fat transfer technique. The minimally invasive procedure is performed in our accredited outpatient surgical suite with local anesthetic or IV sedation.
Both the donor and recipient site will be cleaned with the local anesthesia. The fat is harvested through a cannula, similar to liposuction, from the abdomen, hips, or buttocks. The fat is then purified before being injected into the recipient area of the face with a fine cannula. The procedure typically takes under and hour.
Natural Breast Augmentation Recovery
Recovery following natural breast augmentation with fat transfer is fairly quick and simple. It is a wonderful technique for women who want natural-looking breasts that are larger or fuller than their current breasts, without adding synthetic products to their body. The fat used is harvested right from your own body, negating the risk of rejection. It is our priority to make your procedure and recovery as easy and safe as possible.
Recovery after Your Surgery
You will be able to return to your normal activities within 24 to 48 hours after undergoing natural breast augmentation, a much faster recovery than after breast augmentation with implants.
Bruising and swelling commonly occurs around the liposuction site, with some soreness in the donor area. The soreness will fade over the course of a couple weeks. You can also expect to see some swelling and bruising on the breasts, but you will not feel any soreness. If you do, it will be very mild. Protective dressings will be placed on both the liposuction and injection sites, and you will be provided with a soft bra to wear for 1 and 2 weeks.
For up to one year, the transferred fat will grow and integrate into the existing breast structure until the final size is achieved. Natural breast enhancement is not as predictable as artificial implants, thus a second fat transfer may be needed to get the results you are looking for.
An additional benefit of natural breast augmentation, aside from increased volume, is the decrease you will see in diet-resistant fat at the area that underwent liposuction. Patients are able to slim their hips, abdomen or other areas while enhancing their chest.
Potential Risks
Certain risks, such as damage to the nerves and blood vessels of the breast, are reduced with breast augmentation via fat grafting because there are no open incisions in the breast area. Although the procedure is less invasive than surgery with artificial implants, there are still some complications that can arise. Potential risks may include calcification/lumps, which can be detected through regular monitoring with physical exams and mammograms. Other rare complications are infection, asymmetry, and deformity of the donor site, cyst development, fat necrosis, and fat re-absorption over time. A follow-up procedure will be able to address concerns about fat that has been absorbed by the body.
Prior to surgery and during recovery you must not smoke or take certain medications and substances. Be sure to provide the surgeon with a list of all drugs and vitamins you take so he can let you know which are unsafe to consume before your procedure.
Natural Breast Augmentation FAQs
You may be a strong candidate for breast augmentation with fat grafting if you are a healthy woman with a no genetic predisposition to breast cancer looking to enhance the size and/or shape of your breast. You must have enough body fat in your abdomen, hips, or buttocks to complete the procedure successfully.
Women who undergo breast augmentation may do so for reconstruction purposes, to restore the pre-pregnancy appearance of their breasts, increase volume that has been lost with age, to correct a size discrepancy between the two breasts, or for general enhancement
There are many benefits in favor of undergoing breast augmentation with fat transfer. The procedure does not use any foreign objects but rather your own fat. This eliminates the risk of rejection. The breasts are able to be sculpted with greater precision and there are no scars in the recipient area. In addition to the improved natural feel, shape, and size of the breasts, the area of the body that the fat was harvested from will also be enhanced through the permanent removal of diet-resistant fat cells.
The breast augmentation surgery takes an average of 2-3 hours, or longer. The process involves three steps, which can affect the time needed to complete the procedure. The first is liposuction of the donor site. Next the fat is purified, and then the fat is meticulously injected into the breasts.
The cost of breast augmentation with fat transfer varies among surgeons and the individual needs of the patient. Most insurance companies will not cover cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation, unless it is for reconstruction related to cancer. Contact your insurance provider if you are unsure if they will cover your breast augmentation surgery. Detailed information about cost of the procedure will be provided to you at your personal consultation with Dr. Glasgold.