Post-Operative Care After Plastic Surgery

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Post-operative care after surgery helps patients achieve their optimal results. The mainstays of the first week of surgical recovery are skin care, rest, ice, elevation, preventing bruising, and controlling swelling. As patients enter the second week of recovery our efforts switch to focus on contour and scar management and massage. Specific recommendations are tailored to each surgery and patient needs. As an Amazon Associate, DPS may earn from qualifying purchases.

Elevation and Icing

Surgical recovery usually begins with elevation and icing. To make icing the face easier, we recommend the TheraPearl Reusable Hot & Cold Therapy Face #Ad or Eye Mask. These masks utilize gel beads to better focus the cooling effect of the mask. Elevation of the head can be achieved by sleeping on a couple of pillows, however, the Brentwood Home Zuma Therapeutic Foam Bed Wedge Pillow #Ad makes it easier and more comfortable to maintain the elevation in any sleeping position.

Skin Care

To help with pain control and better skin hydration during the healing process we all recommend the Restore and Repair line from Ageless Millennial Aesthetics. The Restore and Repair line of skin care creams and serums includes the CBD and hyaluronic acid-infused CBD Restorative Cream. These help provide the hydration and essential building blocks the skin needs to recover after surgery.

Discover more skincare recommendations by checking out our blog post: Skin Care In The Age of COVID.

Bruising and Swelling

In addition to icing and elevation, for all surgeries we recommend, most patients take anti-bruising supplements, such as VitaMedica – Bromelain with Quercetin and VitaMedica – Arnica Montana 30X, starting before surgery and continuing for about a month after surgery. These supplements help to prevent and resolve bruising after surgery.

Scar Management

At about 10 – 14 days after surgery, post-operative scar management strategies are begun. Sunscreens, such as Neutrogena Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen #Ad, help block the UV rays and prevent the scars from staying dark/too pink. Gentle massage of the incisions and operative area encourages blood flow, helps to breast down scar tissue, and keeps the scars from getting too raised.

Silicone-based scar tape is recommended to help encourage optimal scar maturation for breast and body surgery and scaring after minor procedures, Soothing Silicone Scar Tape from Estéticoceuticals is a waterproof, soft, silky tape that can easily be worn under clothes and only needs to be replaced every 3-7 days. For scar management after face surgery, Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is a clear gel that dries to a thin layer.

These scar management products are continued for the full scar maturation period of a year or more. Typically the darkness or redness of the scar is the last to disappear.

Bras

Breast support is critical after augmentation, reduction, and lifting procedures. Our patients recommend SheFit and Marina Bras for their unparalleled support and comfort.

• Post Op – SheFit Lounge Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra
• Light Activity Bra – SheFit Low Impact Sports Bra #Ad or Marena Flex Fit Bra

Compression Garments

Compression after body contouring help to control swelling and contour irregularities that can result after liposuction and skin removal surgeries. The day after body contouring surgery patients are placed into a binder or Stage One compression garment. This garment is made of a stiff material that provides a high amount of compression. Patients often purchase additional binders or Stage One garments for their convenience.

Deluca Plastic Surgery recommends Marena Recovery #Ad garments. These garments provide firm, form-fitting compression to help control the swelling that occurs in the weeks after surgery. These garments are tailored to your specific operation.

• Abdominal Binder #Ad
• Stage One Compression Garments of the Abdomen and Back #Ad
• Stage One Compression of the Abdomen, Back, and Thighs #Ad
• Chin and Neck Compression #Ad 
• Arm Compression #Ad

After about 2-3 weeks of wearing this garment, patients are encouraged to purchase Stage Two garments to complete their healing process. These later stage garments provide more even compression and are less bulky than Stage One garments.

• Stage Two Compression Garments of the Abdomen and Back #Ad
• Stage Two Compression of the Abdomen, Back, and Thighs #Ad

For men, our patients recommend Underworks and Marena compression garments. These compression garments come in a range of styles and have several models tailored specifically to the post-operative management of gynecomastia and FTM patients.

• Stage One (Weeks 1-2) – Men’s Extreme Chest Binder #Ad or Marena Recovery Vest
• Stage Two (Weeks 3-6) – Men’s Ultimate Chest Binder #Ad
• Chin and Neck Compression #Ad