Pain and swelling after plastic surgery is completely normal and pretty much unavoidable. Luckily, there are some ways that you can reduce pain and swelling, as well as helping to aid the healing process. Read on to find out expert recommended advice when it comes to dealing with pain and swelling after plastic surgery in Glasgow.
Tips for Controlling Pain and Swelling after Plastic Surgery in Glasgow
Luckily, there are some things that you can do after the surgery to help reduce pain and swelling of the affected area, these include;
Pain Killers and Anti-Inflammatories
This one may sound obvious but a surprising number of people are not sure if they are allowed to take over-the-counter and prescription meds after plastic surgery in Glasgow. It’s always best to discuss this with your plastic surgeon prior to the plastic surgery in Glasgow, but in most cases, it is still fine to take medication after.
Keep the Treated Area Elevated
After plastic surgery in Glasgow, you will be advised as part of your recovery to keep the area of surgery elevated as much as possible, no matter where on your body the surgery has occurred. This will help drain fluid back from to the areas of the body that have not undergone surgery and this can help reduce swelling and in turn, pain.
Cold Compress
A cold compress, such as an icepack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in some sort of fabric, can be great for helping decrease swelling. The cold help contract blood vessels, which helps to limit the number of white blood cells that flow to the injured area. The ice will also help to reduce pain by getting deep into the area of injury and numbing it.
A cold compress should only be held on the affected area for up to 15 minutes at a time to prevent frostbite. The best time to apply this is in the first 24-48 hours after surgery to get the best results.
Massage
Massaging the area can help relax the area as well as speeding up the healing process slightly. Using soft pressure and rubbing the area gently can help increase blood flow, as well as helping with pain.
Speak to Your Cosmetic Surgeon
It is important to discuss these methods and others with your cosmetic surgeon. Some types of cosmetic surgery will respond better to different types of pain relief. Pain and swelling are extremely natural during the healing process following any surgery. But there are some things that you should look out for;
- Fever above 38.6°C
- Increased pain at the incision site
- Increased redness at the incision site
- Increased warmth at the incision site
- Foul odour coming from the incision
- Discharge draining from the incision
If you have any worries at all, please speak to your cosmetic surgeon. You may be prescribed some sort of oral antibiotic to help fight the infection.
Horace is a health and wellness researcher with expertise in holistic medicine and evidence-based treatments. His writing covers everything from nutrition and fitness to emerging healthcare technologies.