There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finally reaching your goal weight or giving birth to a new family member. However, both of these major life events can leave you with excess skin and fat that are next to impossible to get rid of with exercise and diet alone.
Once the skin has been stretched for a prolonged period of time, it becomes difficult for it to bounce back, and aging doesn’t help the process either.
Body lifts at Ritz Plastic Surgery have become a popular procedure amongst those who want to achieve a shapelier appearance they can be proud of. However many people question whether going through the recovery process will make this worthwhile.
The reality is that every type of surgery requires some form of recovery – it all comes down to having as much information as you can about the recovery process in order to make it more comfortable.
A General Overview of the Recovery Process
Patients can expect their recovery after a lower body lift to take several months. However, the most healing takes place during the first six weeks, which is when pain, swelling and bruising will be the most prominent.
Your range of movement will be limited during these first few weeks and you will need to follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions very carefully during this time.
Patients can expect to feel very tired as their body heals and recovers during the first six weeks but since you will be at home for most of this period, you will have the chance to rest. Your drains and sutures will be removed between week two and four.
Tips to Speed Up Your Recovery after a Body Lift
Stay away from foods that are high in salt. By consuming too much food that is high in salt, you increase the chances of water retention and swelling. Stick to clean proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables during the first six weeks if you can.
Use a cold compress. Using a cold compress during the first few days after your surgery can make a big difference to the levels of pain and swelling that you experience.
Hold off on the hot shower. It may be tempting to stand under hot running water but the heat and steam can actually make your swelling worse. Rather stick to using lukewarm water for limited periods of time.
Wear your compression garment. You will be given a compression garment for a reason so be sure to wear it if you want to keep swelling at bay. Your surgeon will tell you how long you should wear the garment for.
Elevate your body slightly. You won’t be able to sleep flat on your back after your surgery because this will affect your circulation. Sleeping in a slightly elevated position using several pillows is a better option as it will help accelerate your healing.
If you feel that a lower body lift is a procedure you would like to go ahead with, speak to a qualified surgeon about your options and what you can expect during your recovery. Preparation is the best approach to surgery.
