How to Optimize Your Cosmetic Surgery Results
At SGK Plastic Surgery in Woodlands, we realize that undergoing cosmetic surgery was a significant undertaking. You invested your time, money and emotions in the process. Now that your procedure is complete, Woodlands / Katy plastic surgeon Sugene Kim, MD, wants to make sure that you enjoy your new look for years to come. To help optimize your cosmetic surgery results and protect them for as long as possible, you should follow the tips below.
Follow Dr. Kim’s post-op instructions closely. You adhered to all of Dr. Kim’s instructions before surgery, and it is just as important to follow her postoperative instructions as well. The instructions that the Woodland / Katy plastic surgeon gives her patients help minimize their risk of suffering complications after surgery and encourage optimum healing over the long run.
Indulge in regular massages. Following this tip is easy and enjoyable for most patients. Massages encourage your body to pass toxins out through its lymphatic drainage system. They also stimulate sound blood circulation. Both these factors bolster your body’s healing mechanisms.
Avoid exposing any scars to the sun. It is important to keep your incision sites out of the sun for a minimum of one year, as this is about the time it takes for scars to fade. Exposing your scars to the sun for a mere 20 minutes can cause them to turn red and rise up from the skin’s surface. Once scars become red or raised, it is extremely hard — if not impossible — to improve their appearance. Keep scars covered with clothes or by applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Don’t forget to reapply your sunscreen frequently! With proper care, scars should fade to match the color of your skin.
Live a healthy lifestyle. Making unhealthy lifestyle choices — including constantly consuming an excessive amount of calories, smoking and overexposing your skin to the sun without adequate UV protection — can inhibit your body’s healing mechanisms as well as counteract the aesthetic results of your surgery. For instance, gaining more than 10 percent of your total body weight can compromise the cosmetic results of liposuction, tummy tuck surgery and other body contouring procedures. In addition, smoking and not protecting yourself against the sun’s harsh UV rays can lead to visible signs of aging and counteract the aesthetic results of your facial rejuvenation surgery.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kim to learn more about your cosmetic surgery options, please contact SGK Plastic Surgery by calling (281) 363-4546 today.
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