Set Up a Restful Environment
This is something that should be accomplished before your surgery day so that it will be waiting for you as soon as you get home. Your surgery may require anesthesia, which can take some time to wear off even after you wake up. Add in the pain and discomfort you’ll be feeling and you’ll be more than ready to head straight for your pillows. Choose a spot where you can be the most comfortable and then load up on the comfort. Find the extra pillows or blankets in storage, or borrow from someone. Change the sheets so you’ll have fresh linens waiting for you. You might even want to move some of the furniture around a little bit to minimize your movement from the bedroom to the bathroom. You can have one or more rest areas in your home, such as your bed, the couch, or the spare room if you have one. The key is to keep yourself as comfortable as possible so your body is able to rest and your face is able to heal better.
Find All the Necessary Supplies
Check with your doctor before your surgery to find out which items will be good to have on hand and make sure you have them. Things like cold compresses, vitamins A, C, and D, and other supplements may not already be in your home. Even if they are, you might want to consider getting extras. It’s much better to have what you need when you need them! You should also get any prescriptions filled prior to surgery, including the post-surgery pain medicine that your doctor will prescribe you. If you have a family or a pet, now is also the time to consider them and what they will need while you’re recovering so you don’t have to worry about that.
Stop Drinking Caffeine
Caffeine is a chemical that is great for keeping us awake and giving us energy throughout the day, but your body doesn’t need that while you’re recovering. In fact, caffeine can even hamper the healing process. Try to quit drinking coffee, soda, or other caffeinated beverages prior to surgery and definitely avoid them for the initial recovery period. Water is going to be your new favorite drink, and maybe even some caffeine-free tea.
Rest by Yourself
When you’re considering where to set up your rest area, you should also consider setting up an additional rest area for your partner or pet. Your face will be very sore and tender for the first several days, so you’ll want to avoid accidental bumps or bruises from sleeping next to someone. Sleeping by yourself can help ensure that you get enough sleep and provide an extra level of protection for your face.
Rest With Your Head Elevated
Keeping your head elevated above your heart while you sleep will keep the swelling down and minimize your discomfort. Here’s where those extra pillows and blankets come in! Prop yourself up on them to keep your head up. You don’t have to sleep sitting up, just at an angle that’s comfortable for you. Think of it like sleeping in a hospital bed. It’s also a good idea to try to lay still as much as possible while you’re resting. This goes along with protecting your face from accidental impact.
If You Need to Sleep, Then Sleep!
Regardless of the kind of surgery you have, you’ve still had surgery, which is a traumatic event for your body. It will be working overtime to try and recover as quickly as possible. As a result, you’ll be feeling more tired than usual, especially in the first couple weeks. Don’t fight it! If you want to rest or take a nap, feel free to do so. Your body will know what it needs and when it will be ready to get you back to your normal routine.
Listen to Your Doctor
You may get additional rules or guidelines from your doctor depending on the kind of surgery you have. You’ll also receive a list of dos and don’ts for before and after surgery. Be sure to follow them and check with your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.
Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery
If you are interested in any of our facial plastic surgery procedures and would like to have more information, contact our office in Scottsdale, AZ, at (480) 214-9955 to schedule an initial patient consultation with Dr. Hobgood. You can also reach us online anytime through our Patient Contact Page.
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