Is Plastic surgery painful?

Most cosmetic surgery is performed under general anaesthetic with additional long-acting local anaesthetic used for the wounds to provide a pain-free recovery. The effect of the local anaesthetic will usually last overnight, and any additional minor discomfort may require painkillers which will be prescribed. Certain procedures such as rhinoplasty are almost guaranteed to be painfree, as the nature of the operation lifts away the nerves which give discomfort.

There will be some bruising after surgery which is normal and takes two weeks on average to settle. Paracetamol and codeine are better painkillers than aspirin as they do not cause bleeding.

What preoperative precautions can I take?

Smoking and being overweight (BMI>30) are associated with the most significant complications after major cosmetic surgery. Any attempt at reducing either of these factors will be beneficial to the patient.

How long before I can take a flight?

Flying is not recommended for at least 48 hours after a procedure involving general anaesthetic. This advice is similar to that given to divers who use SCUBA apparatus with pressurised air mixtures. In general my advice would be not to consider any travel until given the all clear by your surgeon at your first post-operative appointment.

When can I have a bath/shower?

This depends on the nature of the operation. In general, wounds which have healed without problems are sealed and watertight by approximately 7 days dafter surgery. At this stage it should be possible to immerse the wounds in a bath but they should be dried gently and not rubbed. Swimming is not recommended for about one month as the chemicals in a pool may react with the scar causing inflammation.

When can I return to the gym/sauna/solarium?

In general all scars should be protected from sunlight and UV light for at least 6 months to a year after surgery. Use either a covering surgical tape or high protection sunscreen (eg SPF60) for this time period. Avoid returning to a sweaty environment for at least 6 weeks to allow the scars to heal satisfactorily.

When can I return to work ?

Common sense prevails. On average for a minor procedure such as removal of a mole, no more than one day needs to be taken off to recover. As the surgical procedure becomes more complex such as in an abdominoplasty, then the time for recovery is extended to approximately 2-3 weeks for sedentary jobs and 6-8 weeks for more manual occupations. Refer to the individual operations for further info.

When can I drive after having had breast surgery?

The need to wear a safety belt is the primary restriction for driving after this procedure. On average about 10 days is the earliest you should think about driving a car assuming that you are wearing a well-fitting brassiere.