Recovery After Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, or Breast Augmentation Plastic Surgery Procedures

One of the most important concerns of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles men and women who are considering plastic surgery procedures such as liposuction, tummy tuck, or breast augmentation is the extent of recovery time after cosmetic surgery. With our hectic lives, busy work schedule, and never ending family responsibilities, men and women want to know:

1. When can they go back to work?
2. When can they go back to the Gym?
3. How soon can they care for their small children?
4. How bad is the pain from surgery?
5. When can they drive?
6. How soon can they travel?
7. How soon can they have sex?
8. How soon can they wear certain types of cloths?

The answer to these important questions about plastic surgery recovery depends on the type of surgery, the involved body parts, multiplicity of the procedures, family support structure, and the extent of work or home responsibilities.
In the following section, Dr. Younai describes the approximate recovery course and restrictions for a variety of plastic surgery procedures, for patients in southern California, including those from Beverly Hills and Los Angeles.
Recovery after liposuction: Tumescent, laser, ultrasonic.

Liposuction is a relatively easy procedure to recover from, mainly because there are no large incisions, and the surgery is superficial. Liposuction can be performed on the neck/face, arms, chest, breasts, abdomen, back, buttocks, thighs, knees, calves, and ankles. The pain and recovery time of liposuction is similar to that of a bad muscle bruise sustained during a motor vehicle accident. Most patients take a week or less of recovery before returning to work after liposuction. There are no restrictions with respect to exercise and you may return to your exercise routine as you feel comfortable. Likewise, there are no restrictions with lifting, pushing, pulling or taking care of young children; although, most people can not do strenuous house work for about 4 days. Most patients are able to drive within a week; however this also depends on the areas of liposuction. For example, it is harder to steer if you had liposuction of the arms. When it comes to sex there is no restrictions as long a you are comfortable!
Especially in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, most patients are eager to know when they can wear that especial outfit for that special party or event. After liposuction you will be wearing a girdle for about six weeks. Despite this, most of your regular cloths should fit comfortably over it. After the first three weeks, if you are planning to wear revealing cloths or dresses, you don have to wear your girdle during that time. Finally, there are no travel restrictions.
Recovery after Tummy Tuck, Abdominoplasty, Body Lift, or Belt Lipectomy,
Tummy tuck, abdominoplasty, or body lift, involves removing the hanging abdominal skin fold, along with tightening the abdominal muscles. The pain and recover of a tummy tuck is similar to that of a c-section or hysterectomy. Most women in Los Angeles or Beverly Hills take about two weeks for recovery before returning to work. Because of tightening of the abdominal muscles patients can not do any heavy lifting or straining at home, work, or the Gym for about eight weeks. You can do power walking or bicycling in 2-3 weeks. You can also have sex in 2-3 weeks as long as you don strain your abdominal muscles for 6-8 weeks. Most cloths or pants will be somewhat tight around the waist for about 4-6 weeks due to the normal post-operative swelling. There are no travel restrictions as long as you don use a public pool or Jacuzzi for three weeks.
Recovery after Breast Augmentation with implants
Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles. Breast enlargement involves insertion of a Saline or Silicone Breast Implant under the Pectoralis chest muscle. The pain associated with breast augmentation is due to the stretching of the Pectoralis muscle by the underlying breast implant. Most women describe heavy pressure over their chests. Because of this moving the arms, especially above the shoulders is uncomfortable for two weeks. Most women take off one week from work after breast augmentation. You can do lower body exercises in one week and should refrain from lifting heavy objects for the first 2-3 weeks. Likewise, I don recommend driving for one week. You may have sex at any time as long that your breasts don get manipulated for the first 5 weeks. There are no travel restrictions as long as you don get your breasts wet in a public pool or a Jacuzzi for 4 weeks.
Usually, augmentopexy, or breast lift plus augmentation, is more painful than just breast augmentation, and the recover is the same.
During your consultation, Dr. Younai will review your treatment options for plastic surgery procedures, including the pros and cons of each technique, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre- and post-operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also many before and after pictures and high resolution images of these procedures available in our photo gallery (www.beautifulfigure.com )
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