Cosmetic surgery is “real” surgery. Most procedures involve a general anaesthetic, incisions, stitches, dressings, aftercare and downtime. Before scheduling your cosmetic surgery, it is important that you consider the recovery time required after the surgery.

Here are some general tips to ensure your recovery after surgery is as smooth as possible

1. Be prepared

Read all the information booklets provided to you before the surgery and make sure you are 100% clear on what you will and won’t be able to do after the surgery. Make sure you have all the support you need at home, so you won’t have to worry about any household chores. Buy groceries and other items in advance, for example. Organise an appropriate amount of time off work (A/Prof Marucci can provide you with a discrete medical certificate to facilitate this)

2. Take it easy (but not too easy)

For the majority of cosmetic surgery procedures, A/Prof Marucci will want you to avoid swimming and exercise for a number of weeks after surgery. You should plan to rest at home as much as possible. You will be up and walking around the day after surgery, but nothing too strenuous. There is a risk of developing blood clots in the legs (DVT) which can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus) after any surgery, so pottering around the house is a good thing to do

3. Take the painkillers

Your cosmetic surgery will most likely performed under a general anaesthetic. In addition to this, local anaesthetic is also usually placed in the wounds at the time of surgery to give you longer lasting pain relief. When this local anaesthetic wears off, you may need some tablet painkillers which the anaesthetist will give you after the surgery. It is important to take the painkillers as directed. A/Prof Marucci and the team do NOT want you to have pain. Pain will stop you from getting up and around and slow down your recovery. After days to weeks, the pain should have significantly subsided and you won’t need the painkillers any more.

4. Keep your phone close

If you have any problems or any concerns after your cosmetic surgery, please reach out to A/Prof Marucci and his team. It is normal to wonder if things are going normally! If in doubt, please contact the rooms and ask. A/Prof Marucci likes to keep the lines of communication open, so you will be given a number to call at any time after your surgery should you have any issues. You will be well supported and listened to. There is no such thing as a “silly question”.