5 Quick Tips to Maintain your Body after Plastic Surgery

One of the most exciting parts of a surgeon's job is the moment we remove a patient's bandages to show them the results of their plastic surgery. For most procedures, the final result will be apparent once the swelling subsides. At this point, many patients will look at their reflection to admire their wrinkle-free skin or slimmer waist and wonder how long their new improvements will last.

Many plastic surgery procedures, such as rhinoplasty, buttocks augmentation, and chin reshaping, provide permanent results. Other procedures may require a bit of effort on the patient's part to maintain the final outcome. To avoid the hampering effects of weight gain, sun damage, and the natural aging process on your new look, follow these quick tips.

1. Follow your surgeon’s advice.

After any surgical procedure, the most important advice you can follow is your surgeon's. Your surgeon will be familiar with your health history and can assess how your body handled the procedure. Any maintenance tips your surgeon offers may be specific to your individual needs or limitations, so following his or her advice is essential for safely maintaining your best results.

2. Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

For body contouring procedures, such as liposuction, fat cells are permanently removed from the body. Typically, fat will not accrue in the treated areas even if you gain weight. If you gain a significant amount of weight after liposuction, the body will still maintain its new shape – just in a larger size. Drink plenty of water and infuse your diet with fruit and vegetables to avoid significant weight gain.

3. Schedule regular treatment sessions.

Facial injectable procedures like Botox require repeat treatments for optimal results. Botox will block the nerve transmission to specific muscles that cause wrinkles, but after about four months, the effects of the toxin will wear off. The more Botox injected per session, the longer the results will last. Your surgeon may suggest you receive treatment every four to six months. As your muscles get used to being relaxed by the toxin, you may find that you can wait longer between sessions to achieve your desired results.  

4. Protect your skin.

The results of a face lift can last up to 10 years. However, smoking and sun exposure can accelerate the aging process. To prolong your face lift results, quit smoking and wear sunscreen daily. Staying hydrated is also very beneficial to the skin; protecting your skin from the inside out is key to maintaining your look.

5. Check for potential problems.

While implants can last a  very long time, they are not considered lifetime devices and may need to be replaced at some point. Statistically, women exchange their implants every 10 to 15 years due to implant hardening, rupture, or change in breast appearance. Regular screenings will help detect any problems you may have. A magnetic resonance imaging scan, or MRI, is recommended to be done 3 years after your breast augmentation and every two years following the initial MRI.

At the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery, we want you to be confident in choosing a procedure that will give you the lasting results you desire.

If you are interested in a cosmetic procedure around the Columbus, Ohio area, contact Dr. Shah to schedule a consultation. Please call (614) 322-2500 today, or fill out our contact form.