Almost all common plastic surgery operations such as chest augmentation or laser skin resurfacing are done on an outpatient basis. How you spend the first 48 hours after the operation is tremendously important. If you don’t want to experience excessive pain or bleeding and call the surgeon for help after the operation you have to bear in mind the following rules:

1. Do not smoke or drink spirits within the first 2 weeks after surgery. Alcohol expands blood vessels and smoking reduces blood flow to the skin which can hamper the healing process and even can increase bleeding. Moreover, mixing alcohol with your prescribed pain medications may be extremely dangerous.
2. Your bondage dressings must be kept as hygienic and dry as possible. Do not remove them without surgeon permission. It is very important that you follow the schedule of after-surgery appointments established by your surgeon.
3. Use ice packs such as crushed ice bags or frozen peas in the package in order to reduce pain, bruising and swelling. If the ice doesn’t feel comfortable, do not use it often.
4. Please abstain from driving for the first 24 hours at least! You will have been sedated for surgery and therefore your response time is slowed down and attention is retarded. Ask a family member or a close friend to drive you home. Ask somebody you trust to stay with you overnight and to watch for syndromes like bleeding or pus on the surgery area. It is strongly recommended to abstain from driving for at least 2 days after general anaesthesia or intravenous sedation or while taking prescription pain pills.
5. Take it easy and pamper yourself a little. Do not do any house chores. Avoid any straining. You may go to the bathroom, sit and watch television, etc., but no matter how well you feel do not resume normal activity like cleaning, dish washing, laundry, etc. Excessive activity may result in bleeding, excess swelling and bruising, any one of which may slow down the healing process.
6. If you experience any post-operative nausea, it’s nothing bad. Have some dry crackers with carbonated soda. If the nausea persists a suppository may be necessary. If you are not nauseous, start with fluids and bland foods first. Avoid spicy food for the first 24 hours. If bland food is well tolerated, you may progress to a regular diet.

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