Factors That Affect Healing After Plastic Surgery

Submitted by Dr. Joyesh Raj on Fri 01/29/2021 - 09:00

Some of the most commonly asked questions Dr. Joyesh Raj receives are about recovery times after plastic surgery. Forecasting recovery times can be tricky, as recovery is highly individualized. The type of procedure performed affects how long it takes to recover from surgery. There are also other more personal factors that can affect recovery times.

Age

Some factors that affect recovery are completely out of your control — such as age. Generally speaking, patients in their 50s and 60s will take a little longer to heal after surgery than patients in their 20s or 30s. Some of this can be attributed to the natural degradation of elastic tissue and collagen that occurs with age. During your pre-operative appointments, Dr. Raj can provide you with more information about how your recovery process will go based on your age.

Health

Your health before and after surgery will influence how your body heals from plastic surgery. If you have uncontrolled pre-existing health problems such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, or you smoke, it can affect blood flow to the treated area. As a result, your recovery may take longer. Be sure to let Dr. Raj know about any health conditions you have when he is designing your surgical plan.

Lifestyle Choices

How well you take care of yourself after surgery can affect how you heal. The healthier and more active you are before surgery, the more likely you are to enjoy a speedy recovery.

By eating nutritious foods, getting plenty of sleep and staying hydrated, you will increase your chances of recuperating swiftly. On the other hand, if you do not follow a healthy diet, don’t drink a lot of water and consume excessive amounts of alcohol, you may delay your body’s recovery.

Incision Care

Properly caring for your incisions is essential after plastic surgery. Dr. Raj and our team will give you complete instructions for keeping your incisions dry and clean. You should also avoid touching them unnecessarily or exposing them to the sun, which could lead to complications. If you notice anything concerning about your incisions, such as drainage, Dr. Raj encourages you to reach out to our team promptly.

Although there is no simple way to predict exactly how long it will take you to recuperate from plastic surgery, Dr. Raj can talk to you about what to expect and share tips to expedite your recovery. To request a one-on-one consultation with the board-certified plastic surgeon, please call or email us today.