Undergoing any plastic surgery procedure is a significant investment of your time, money and energy so you want the results to be as long-lasting as possible. Certain factors that can have an effect, like ageing, are out of your control, but there are things you can do to maintain your results long-term.
Following Dr Page’s postoperative care instructions is paramount for your body’s healing process. Attending every follow-up appointment is crucial, as is modifying your daily activities and really listening to your body.
Good nutrition and hydration are essential and the first step to achieving long-lasting results. Aim to drink between 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. This enables your body to eliminate impurities, irrigate muscles and oxygenate the tissues, which aids in discarding accumulated fat. A nourishing diet with a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats allows better absorption of nutrients, which also prevents excess body fat. Using tobacco is harmful to your health at any time but is particularly detrimental to the results of your surgery as it impairs your body’s ability to heal.
Depending on your surgery, there are unique requirements that can also help extend your postoperative results:
Breast Augmentation
Immediately after surgery, you will experience postoperative swelling, and your chest may feel soft and swollen. Not only does wearing a compression bra help minimise swelling, but it also encourages blood flow to the surgical site, providing the area with proteins and nutrients that boost cell renewal for rapid healing and long-lasting results. If you have implants, we recommend you wear a compression bra day and night for at least two weeks so they are not at risk of moving from their intended position and are fully supported to ensure optimal healing. For any breast augmentation procedure, expect to wear a bra for at least six weeks after surgery, avoid underwire bras and strenuous upper body exercising, sleep on your back and get plenty of rest.
Facial surgery
Surgeries like face, brow and neck lifts are popular for addressing deep wrinkles and sagging skin for a refreshed and more youthful appearance that can last around ten years. Post-surgery, it is essential to follow an effective daily skin care regimen using medical-grade products for cleansing, exfoliating and nourishing skin. Once skin is completely healed, supplemental treatments are effective touch-ups for keeping wrinkles and fine lines at bay and maintaining results.
Body Contouring
Dr Page removes excess skin or fat to improve and enhance the natural shape of the underlying tissue. An abdominal binder should be worn for six weeks after abdominoplasty and exercising, and strenuous activities should be avoided. Liposuction results are long-lasting if you are at your ideal weight going into the procedure and refrain from regaining the eliminated fat. Gravity and the ageing process are the primary culprits for triggering fat accumulation in the stomach, arms, abdomen, and neck. While gaining significant weight won’t cause the fat cells removed by surgery to grow back, it can cause the remaining fat cells to expand, making skin stretch. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and practising portion control are great ways to maintain long-term results.
Blepharoplasty
After eyelid surgery, constant application of ice packs is crucial for minimising swelling and a faster recovery. Clean your eyelids carefully, avoid rubbing them so as not to disrupt the lasered area or sutures and use any prescribed eye drops or ointments. If you wear contact lenses, leave them out for two weeks and when sleeping, ensure your head is raised for at least a week after surgery. Give your eyes plenty of rest, avoiding unnecessary strain, like reading or watching TV, during recovery. Avoid physical activity such as exercise or even bending over and lifting objects. In the long term, ensure your optical prescription is up to date; it will prevent squinting that can cause fine lines and wrinkles. Consistently apply a medical-grade cream to nourish the delicate skin surrounding the eyes and use cosmetic treatments, like botulinum toxin, or Botox, to help elevate the lateral eyebrow and soften subsequent lines and wrinkles.
January 2023