Post-Operative Care Guide
Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery
Practical recovery guidance for DeLuca Plastic Surgery patients, including swelling control, scar care, skincare, compression, and supportive recovery products.
Recovery is part of your result.
Post-operative care helps support healing and optimize results after surgery. The first week usually focuses on rest, elevation, icing, swelling control, and bruising prevention. As healing progresses, care often shifts toward scar management, massage, contour support, and gradual return to normal activity.
Specific instructions vary by procedure and patient. Always follow the instructions provided directly by your surgeon and care team.
Recovery priorities
- Rest and careful activity
- Elevation and icing when appropriate
- Swelling and bruising control
- Skin hydration and protection
- Scar management and compression
Important Note
Before using this guide
This page provides general recovery support information and product ideas. It is not a substitute for personalized post-operative instructions. Your specific recommendations may differ depending on your procedure, medical history, healing progress, and surgeon guidance.
As an Amazon Associate, DeLuca Plastic Surgery may earn from qualifying purchases. Product links labeled #Ad may be affiliate links.
First week
Rest, elevation, icing, bruising prevention, swelling control, and careful wound care.
Weeks 2–3
Transition toward contour support, gentle massage when cleared, compression, and early scar care.
Months ahead
Ongoing scar maturation, sun protection, skin care, and gradual return to full activity as directed.
Early Recovery
Elevation and icing
Surgical recovery often begins with elevation and icing. Elevation can help reduce swelling, especially after facial procedures. Icing may be recommended for certain procedures to help manage swelling and discomfort, but it should be done according to your specific instructions.
Cooling masks
For facial procedures, reusable cooling masks may make icing easier and more comfortable.
Head elevation
Elevation can often be achieved with pillows, but a wedge pillow may help maintain a more consistent position overnight.
Skin Care
Hydration and skin support during healing
Skin hydration and gentle care can be important during recovery. For some patients, supportive skincare may help with comfort, dryness, and barrier support while the skin heals.
DeLuca Plastic Surgery commonly recommends the Restore and Repair line from Ageless Millennial Aesthetics.
Bruising & Swelling
Managing bruising and swelling
Bruising and swelling are expected after many procedures. Icing, elevation, compression when appropriate, and careful activity can all play a role in early recovery.
Some patients are instructed to use anti-bruising supplements, such as VitaMedica Bromelain with Quercetin #Ad and VitaMedica Arnica Montana 30X. Do not start supplements without confirming they are appropriate for you.
Scar Care
Scar management
Scar management often begins around 10–14 days after surgery, depending on the procedure and incision healing. Your surgeon will let you know when it is safe to begin.
Silicone scar tape
Silicone-based scar tape may help support scar maturation for breast, body, and minor procedure scars.
Scar gel
Clear scar gels may be easier to use in visible areas, including some facial incision sites.
Sunscreen, such as Neutrogena Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen #Ad, can help protect healing scars from UV exposure. Gentle massage may be recommended once cleared by your surgeon to encourage tissue mobility and contour.
Scar maturation continues for a year or more. Redness or darkness is often one of the last features to fade.
Not Sure What Applies To You?
Your recovery plan should match your procedure.
A facelift, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, liposuction, eyelid surgery, and skin lesion removal may all have different instructions. Use this guide as a starting point, but follow your personalized post-operative plan.
Breast Surgery Recovery
Bras after breast surgery
Breast support is important after breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, and breast revision procedures. The right bra depends on the procedure, your surgeon’s instructions, and your stage of recovery.
- Post-op support: SheFit Lounge Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra #Ad
- Light activity support: SheFit Low Impact Sports Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra #Ad
Body Contouring Recovery
Compression garments
Compression after body contouring may help control swelling and support smoother contour as healing progresses. This is commonly used after liposuction and skin removal procedures.
Many patients begin with a binder or Stage One compression garment shortly after surgery. These garments typically provide firmer compression during early healing. Later, patients may transition to Stage Two garments, which are often less bulky and provide more even compression.
Stage One garments
Stage Two garments
After about 2–3 weeks, some patients transition to Stage Two garments to complete the next phase of healing.
Face & Neck
Chin and neck compression
Chin and neck compression may be recommended after some facial, neck, or liposuction procedures.
Arms & Chest
Arm and chest compression
Arm or chest compression may be used after arm contouring, gynecomastia surgery, or selected chest procedures.
Safety First
When to call the office
Call the office if you have concerns about increasing pain, unusual swelling, bleeding, fever, spreading redness, drainage, wound separation, shortness of breath, chest pain, calf pain, or anything that feels concerning during recovery.
For urgent symptoms, seek emergency medical care.
