Are you one of the many patients thrilled with the outcome of your recent cosmetic surgery and excited to make your cosmetic surgery results last? Great! It is exciting to be enjoying your new look. Let’s go over some proven ways to help you maintain your youthful appearance for years to come.
Follow Your Surgeon’s Advice
Following the post-operative advice of your plastic surgeon is the first key step in achieving and maintaining optimal results. If I (Dr. Ghaderi) was your surgeon of choice, I will have provided you with detailed instructions for immediate care, like most other board-certified plastic surgeons.
Whoever your doctor is, you will also have several follow-up visits with your him or her over the course of the first year. Make it a priority to keep these appointments so that your surgeon can track your progress as your body fully recovers.
Not sure if you should book that ski trip a month after surgery? Wondering when you can get back to strength training? These are all great questions that should be discussed with your doctor.
Your cosmetic surgery experience doesn’t end on the day of surgery. Keep your activities in mind after surgery and ask questions to ensure that your lifestyle activity choices will help you to maintain the best possible long-term results.
Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices
One of the best ways to ensure positive cosmetic surgery results is to maintain your weight, as weight gains and losses take a toll on the body. We all know the basic keys to weight management; make healthy, nutrient-rich food choices and include exercise in your daily routine.
However, if you’ve struggled in the past to stick with your commitments, think of this recovery time as a great opportunity for a start fresh. The extra incentive of maintaining your results just might help you in the commitment to long-term positive lifestyle changes.
Protecting your skin from sun damage is also key for protecting your results. While getting outside and soaking up some rays is certainly good for your overall health, prolonged sun exposure, especially while visible scars are healing, isn’t beneficial.
Try to avoid being outside for extended periods peak sun times, high heat times of the day, remember to wear sunglasses and a hat. Excessive sun exposure also increases signs of aging, so remember to pay attention to the sun when you’re enjoying your outdoor activities.
Personally, I strongly encourage all of his patients to cease smoking prior to surgery. Smoking interferes with circulation and slows healing time. Ideally, even after you’ve completed your recovery, you will stick with that change and leave the cigarettes behind for good. Smoking contributes to visible signs of aging.
If you’re having trouble quitting, look into smoking cessation aids, or speak to a physician about the best options for you. It might be a difficult area to tackle, but the health benefits are worth it.
Finally, remember to drink plenty of water each day. Health experts have been recommending this for years, but many of us still forget to reach for the H2O when we’re thirsty.
Staying well-hydrated helps maintain skin elasticity and will keep your youthful shine. There are plenty of tricks for getting more water each day. Find out what works for you and up your water intake, your skin will thank you for it!
Enjoy Life!
Your new youthful look is just a part of who you are, so spend some time seeking out the things you enjoy in life too! It might be as simple as getting outside for a run or swim, sliding into a warm bath, or enjoying a cup of coffee over your favorite read.
Or maybe you’re feeling the need to fill your life with more satisfying mutually beneficial relationships? Then try getting connected in your community and work on building a positive network.
Stress reduction is another important area to work on. Reducing stress is not only good for your mental health, but for your physical health as well. Many major illnesses in the US, including heart disease, cancer and depression, have all been linked to high levels of stress.
Examine what causes the most stress in your life and start discovering ways to decrease it. Maybe you simply need some time to disconnect each day, which can easily be accomplished by scheduling blocks of time for yourself where you are unavailable.
Whatever methods work for you, a reduction of stress will not only ensure longer lasting positive cosmetic surgery results more, but will enrich all other aspects of your life as well.
I love to see my patients living healthy, fulfilled lives and I’m honored to have played a role for so many patients in our community. Follow the suggestions above to continue enjoying your cosmetic surgery results for years to come.
