The plastic surgery recovery process involves a good amount of planning. In order to have a safe and effective recovery period, it is important that you place certain life activities on hold. This can include work, family, hobbies, household chores, and, of course, exercise. Patients typically can return to work and day-to-day activities before they can go back to their exercise routine. Because of this, it is important to understand how timelines vary and what you should expect from the recovery process.
The amount of time you should spend recovering before resuming your workout routine depends on the type of procedure you had done. The most extensive procedure I perform is a tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, which requires two to four weeks to get back to daily activities and light exercise. An additional six weeks is needed before you can get back to exercises that involve heavy lifting. With less invasive procedures, such as the Band Aid Mini Facelift, you can return to work in about a week depending on how much swelling and bruising you have. After two weeks, you can return to your normal exercise routine.
Before your surgery, we’ll also discuss other ways to make your recovery smoother and more effective. For example, a joke I always tell my patients is “don’t stand on your head.” But in all seriousness, during the recovery period, you should keep your head above your heart at all times. Doing otherwise can induce swelling and cause possible complications.
Check out the video below to learn more about how to manage your exercise routine during your plastic surgery recovery.
Ultimately, your recovery time will depend on your age, procedure and typical activity levels. If you would like to learn more about the plastic surgery procedures I offer and what your recovery period might be like, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. John L. LeRoy in Atlanta today. Additionally, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for more plastic and cosmetic surgery insights.
Atlanta, GA — Breast augmentation has reached the top of the most popular cosmetic surgical procedures for the fifth year in a row according to the most recent statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. John LeRoy says demand for breast augmentation in Atlanta reflects the American culture’s emphasis on the female body and possessing a full, proportionate figure. As cosmetic breast procedures continue to rise in popularity, Dr. LeRoy says patients need to be sure they have done extensive research into the available enhancement options and the surgical care provided by their practice before undergoing an operation.
At his plastic surgery practice, Dr. LeRoy focuses on providing patients with a wide variety of aesthetic procedures ranging from facelifts to liposuction in Atlanta; however, he has a particular professional interest in helping patients rejuvenate their feminine curves through breast surgery. He says he has seen a diverse population of patients with a number of different cosmetic goals. Given this need, Dr. LeRoy has created a breast surgery checklist for patients interested in breast implants in Atlanta, so as to help them ensure their results will be the safest and most effective possible. He says patients should attain several key bits of information before undergoing breast surgery:
Know your surgery options: “Breast surgery does not just equate to wanting larger breasts. There are several breast surgery types: augmentation to address size and volume, reduction to minimize size, lift to adjust placement, and revision to correct complications or exchange breast implants with a different size or type. It’s also important to realize there is no one perfect breast shape or size. The size and type of the implant selected should be proportional to the patient’s overall frame and in line with their cosmetic goals. All of these things should be discussed openly during a plastic surgery consultation,” he says.
Only entrust a board certified, experienced provider: “Breast surgery carries many risks if not performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. The risk of complications like capsular contracture (scar tissue formation) as well as implant rupture can be reduced greatly with an experienced surgeon and proper aftercare,” says Dr. LeRoy.
Adhere to aftercare instructions: “It’s important for breast surgery patients to follow their surgeon’s orders by wearing the prescribed undergarments and avoiding strenuous activity right after surgery. Following these instructions will help patients avoid plastic surgery complications and the need for breast revision surgery,” he says.
After familiarizing oneself with the most up-to-date patient care and education in the field of breast surgery, Dr. LeRoy says examining a practice’s surgical facilities and techniques will help patients get a better sense of their surgeon’s commitment to both safety and a natural-looking outcome. He recommends patients research where their procedure will be performed (either in a hospital or at the plastic surgeon’s office) because it will tell them the level of safety precautions that have been met by the practice and ensure they receive the best care. Dr. LeRoy says making the distinction between inpatient and outpatient surgery, as well, can be a vital step in the cosmetic surgery checklist.
“Inpatient surgery is reserved for patients undergoing extensive reconstructive procedures that will require overnight hospitalization. Most plastic surgery patients in good overall health can have surgery at fully accredited outpatient surgical facilities. Patients should look for ‘out of office’ breast surgery done with general anesthesia because most doctors’ offices are not equipped to handle this level of procedure unless they have a fully accredited surgical center on site,” he says.
Regardless of whether patients are looking for a breast lift or a tummy tuck in Atlanta, Dr. LeRoy says the decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure is not one that should be taken lightly. He urges his patients to stay abreast of the latest research and consult with an extensively-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon before settling on any treatment. Through proper patient education and a dedicated practice, Dr. Leroy says patients can achieve a natural result that offers both restored confidence and an improved appearance.
About John L. LeRoy, MD, FACS
John LeRoy MD completed seven years of residency training in general surgery and plastic surgery at the Medical College of Georgia. He has also completed a Fellowship in Cosmetic Plastic Surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital in New York. Dr. LeRoy is a board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of the Georgia Society of Plastic Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the Moretz Society, the American Medical Association, and several other professional organizations.
Located at 5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road NE Suite 375 in Atlanta, GA, Dr. LeRoy’s practice can be reached at (404) 418-7579. He can also be contacted online via the website johnleroymd.com, or his Atlanta plastic surgery Facebook and Twitter (@JohnLLeRoyJrMD) pages.
