The following morning- the dressings are removed, appropriate sutures are removed, the hair is shampooed and the patient is then discharged with the appropriate instructions and advice.  Patients are allowed to resume their personal hygiene, non-strenuous activities and normal diet, even the day after surgery.

 

During the first week the patients follow their normal daily hygiene routine and are to engage in their normal daily activities.  The expectation is that within a week the patient can be out in public without a stranger recognizing their surgery.  In a week, the patient will likely be presentable but not perfect.  They themselves will recognize that they are still healing but it is uncommon for a stranger to recognize that the patient has recently had surgery performed.  The patient continues to improve as time goes on.  However, patients must understand while they and the surgeon have common goals, it is possible for them to have: temporary bruising, temporary swelling, delayed healing, unusual scar formation.

 

All of these conditions are possible but not probable.  With time all of these conditions improve.  It is important to monitor the incisional healing in case that scar tissue develops.  While problematic scars may occur, they are unusual and usually treatable.

 

The ultimate desire of the patient and doctor alike is to have satisfactory results, minimal inconvenience and a happy and healthy patient who has achieved their goal in looking better and feeling much better about themselves.

 

Patients must understand the pros and cons if in their mind the anticipated improvement outweighs the negatives, (time, expense, risks, inconvenience, etc) then and only then and with the concurrence of their mirror should they choose elective Cosmetic surgery.