Different surgeries have their own unique characteristics, and there are many things to be aware of postoperatively. Ignoring important postoperative precautions can, at best, prolong recovery time, at worst lead to avoidable complications, and even negatively impact the surgical outcome.
With increasing public acceptance and tolerance of plastic surgery, more and more women are finding the courage to proactively explore this path that can enhance their beauty and confidence. Furthermore, with the development of society and the improvement of the population's quality of life, more women are gradually moving beyond the ranks of those who are often blind to beauty and are adopting a more rational and calm approach to plastic surgery.
If plastic surgery is a process, where every step impacts the final outcome, then the courage and rationality mentioned above are the perfect beginning of this process. A good beginning should be matched by a good ending—scientific postoperative care is the perfect conclusion to a plastic surgery procedure.
After plastic surgery, attention should be paid to wound care, dietary adjustments, avoiding strenuous exercise, regular checkups, and psychological adjustment to promote recovery and minimize complications.
How to care for it?
First, we must understand the principles of tissue damage.
After 3 days, the blood vessels "seal," meaning that the permeability of the vascular walls returns to normal, but substances that have leaked into the interstitial space will continue to exist. This is the period that often causes bruising in the surgical area.
Based on this principle, cold compresses should be applied within 3 days after surgery to constrict the capillaries, reduce blood flow, and alleviate local congestion. Warm compresses can be started on the 4th or 5th day after surgery. The warmth increases blood circulation, promotes nutrient supply to the surgical site, and accelerates the disappearance of bruises.
Specific Procedure:
Cold Compress - Cold Compress within 3 Days After Surgery
Benefits: During the first 2 days after surgery, the wound vessels are prone to bleeding. During this period, cold compresses can constrict the blood vessels in the surgical area, reducing bleeding and facilitating recovery. There are two common cold compress therapies:
(1) Ice pack method: This is a dry cold compress method, which is particularly effective when there is ice. Fill a rubber ice pack with half a bag of crushed ice (or cold water), place the bag flat on the table, raise the bag mouth, press the bag lightly with your hand to expel the air inside the bag, then tie the bag mouth tightly, wipe off the water on the surface, and put it in a fresh-keeping plastic bag. The cold compress time is generally 20 to 30 minutes, and it can be applied multiple times a day.
(2) Wet cold compress method: Use a basin of cold water (ice cubes can be added in winter, and fresh ice water is best used in summer), soak two small towels or gauze in the basin, take them out and wring them until they are half dry, then put them in a plastic bag and apply them to the affected area. Change the compress every 4 to 5 minutes, and apply for 20 to 30 minutes each time, multiple times a day.
Note: After surgery or within 2 days after injury, do not apply hot compress! Apply cold compress instead! Many people get this wrong! If the ice bag is damaged and leaks water, it cannot be used anymore, and the wound dressing needs to be replaced in time to avoid infection. Hot compress - Hot compress can only be started 4 or 5 days after surgery. Efficacy: Hot compress can increase body surface temperature, stretch subcutaneous tissue, relax and dilate spasmodic capillaries, accelerate blood flow, promote metabolism, promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, promote muscle growth, reduce inflammation, reduce swelling, relieve pain, and soften scar tissue in the affected area.
There are two common hot compress therapies:
(1) Hot water bag method: It is a type of dry heat compress method. First, check whether the hot water bag is leaking, then fill it with hot water (preferably 60℃~70℃) to 2/3 of the bag capacity, expel the air, tighten the bag mouth, wipe off the water outside the bag, put it in a cloth cover or wrap it with cloth for use. Generally, each hot compress lasts 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. If there is no hot water bottle, you can also use a thermos (wrapped in a towel) for hot compress, or you can use heated salt or rice in a cloth bag instead.
(2) Wet heat compress method: The compress can be made of gauze or a towel. First, soak the compress in a basin of hot water, take it out and wring it until it is half dry. Use the palm of your wrist to test whether the temperature is appropriate (it must be not hot before applying it to the affected area). Cover the compress with a cotton pad to prevent heat from escaping. Change the compress about every 5 minutes. Prepare two compresses and observe the skin color when changing. Apply for 15 to 20 minutes each time, 3 to 4 times a day. Note: Be careful not to overheat the towel and hot water bottle to avoid burns. Patients with nerve damage and local numbness should be especially careful. Keep the wound dressing dry. If it gets wet, change the wound dressing in time to avoid infection.