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How Is Emotional Rest Just as Important as Physical Rest to Your Cosmetic Surgery Recovery?
4 Minute Read:People tend to think that plastic surgery is simply a physical act, a process where a cosmetic surgeon makes enhancements to your face and body to correct aesthetic imperfections that you want addressed.
And while it is true that cosmetic surgery improves physical concerns on the body, the reality is that cosmetic procedures also improve people’s mental and emotional states.
Whether your cosmetic surgery procedure is focused on correcting your breast, face, or body, it is important to understand the importance of physical, emotional, and mental rest in achieving the very best results possible.
Below, we will examine the different aspects of plastic surgery recovery so that you can better understand how to prepare for your recovery and results.
Why Is the Recovery Period So Important?
Depending on the type of cosmetic surgery procedure(s) you have undergone, your recovery period can vary from a few days to several weeks.
Over the course of your recovery process, your incisions will heal and your body will begin to acclimate itself to the new changes (whether it be implants, reduced amounts of fat, or repositioned tissue in the body or face).
If you push your body too much too soon, then you can negatively affect your results. And not only can pushing yourself harm your cosmetic surgery results, but neglecting your recovery period can cause complications with your health, including blood clots, infection, nerve damage, and increased scarring.
Because of this, it is important to take the necessary time to recover properly. However, recovering properly is much more than physical rest.
How Should You Recover Correctly?
While the length of the recovery process is dependent on the procedure, the reality is that every person recovers at a different pace. However, many people do not fully understand this. Instead, they think that there is a set schedule that they can look forward to. Unfortunately, this thought process can lead to unwanted results and complications with the recovery.
That is why one of the first and most important rules of recovery is: Listen to your body. If you shouldn’t be doing something physically, then your body will notify you with pain and discomfort. Instead of pushing through that pain, take a step back and wait.
As mentioned above, cosmetic surgery recovery includes physical, emotional, and mental aspects.
Physical Recovery
Regardless of what procedure you have performed, physical rest is necessary during your recovery. It is important to understand that cosmetic surgery is a controlled injury to the body, meaning that your body needs to heal itself from that injury.
This takes time and cannot be rushed. During your recovery, you will need to take time off work, find a comfortable place and position in which to rest while your body heals, and refrain from strenuous activity (including exercise).
Over the course of your recovery, it is important to begin light physical activity, such as slow, short walks, which promotes blood circulation in the body. But you should not begin any physical activity until you are cleared to do so by your cosmetic surgeon.
Emotional and Mental Recovery
Just like too much physical activity can be detrimental to your plastic surgery recovery, the reality is that stress can do the same thing. High levels of stress can hurt your body’s immune system, which means that your body will not be able to fight off toxins and infections as effectively as a non-stressed body can. Limited stress, then, can help minimize inflammation (swelling), bruising, and pain. These can all prolong your recovery and increase the chance of complications after your procedure.
Allowing yourself emotional and mental rest is necessary during your recovery period. Getting enough rest and sleep, eating healthy foods, taking necessary medications, and following your cosmetic surgeon’s recovery plan can help reduce stress to improve your recovery and results.
Meditative practices can also help to calm your mind and reduce stress after your cosmetic surgery.
During your plastic surgery consultation, your cosmetic surgeon can answer any questions you may have and give you suggestions to improve your recovery.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in learning more about the cosmetic surgery procedures we offer at Westchester Cosmetic Surgical Arts in Westchester, New York, please contact our office at 646-559-2854 or fill out our online form.What Are the Best Sleeping Positions After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
2 Minute Read:We all enjoy our sleep. Unfortunately, many of us do not get enough of it.
Recovering from a tummy tuck is a perfect opportunity to catch up on much-needed rest. However, after tummy tuck surgery, you are required to stay off your stomach for several weeks, which can be difficult for stomach-sleepers.
During your tummy tuck recovery, you will need to find new comfortable sleeping positions that allow you to stay off your stomach. 
Why Can I Not Sleep on My Stomach After Tummy Tuck Surgery?
For many of us, sleeping on our stomach feels natural. It is when we are the most comfortable.
However, a tummy tuck is a major surgery, and it takes time for the muscles and tissues to heal and recover. Sleeping directly on your stomach puts too much weight and pressure on your abdomen, interfering with its ability to heal. This can not only damage your muscles, but it can affect your results.
After spending the time and money to undergo a tummy tuck, the last thing you want is for your sleeping position to mess up your results—or cause you pain.
When Can I Sleep on My Stomach Following My Surgery?
As you know by now, sleeping on your stomach while recovering from tummy tuck surgery can be damaging to your results.
So, how long will you have to avoid sleeping on your stomach?
It is recommended that patients avoid stomach sleeping for at least six weeks after surgery. During those six weeks, your abdomen is healing and producing your results. You do not want your sleeping position to disrupt this process.
It is important to note that some patients heal differently and may need to stay off their stomachs for more than six weeks. Please speak with your surgeon regarding when it is safe to return to your normal sleeping position.
If I Cannot Sleep on My Stomach After My Tummy Tuck, How Should I Sleep?
Since you cannot sleep on your stomach after your tummy tuck, you may be wondering what comfortable, safe sleeping position is right for you. Surgeons often recommend sleeping on your back while recovering from a tummy tuck, but you may be able to sleep on your side a few weeks after surgery.
When you sleep on your back, you should elevate yourself with pillows. This can help make sleeping on your back more comfortable and easier to get used to. Additionally, sleeping flat on your back stretches out your abdomen and can harm the incisions.
Elevation and lots of pillows are going to be the best option.