Thinking of getting plastic surgery? Take a look at some products our plastic surgeons recommend as part of your post-op care kit.
Post-op Care Kit: Medications & Supplements
Prescribed narcotic pain relievers? Stock up on MiraLAX and Tylenol before your surgery.
While taking narcotic pain relievers, you are likely to experience constipation as a side effect of your medication. To prevent any discomfort, our surgeons recommend purchasing an over-the-counter (OTC) stool softener or laxative (preferably MiraLAX) prior to your procedure. Begin taking the laxative as soon as you begin your narcotic pain medication regimen – this will help to prevent any constipation-related discomfort while you’re recovering. As you ease off of your medications, you can also start to ease off of your laxative.
As your pain becomes more manageable, you may want to transition from narcotic pain relievers to an over-the-counter pain medication. Common OTC pain medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, etc.) may increase bleeding – these products are to be avoided. Our surgeons recommend using Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for pain management instead, as Tylenol does not increase bleeding post-op but does manage pain effectively.
Worried about bruising? Take some Arnica tablets leading up to your procedure.
Arnica – a homeopathic herb used to reduce swelling and bruising – is available in a variety of forms over-the-counter, from teas to tablets and topical creams. For procedures such as rhinoplasties, brow lifts, blepharoplasties, and injections (Botox®, Dysport®, fillers), Arnica can be taken 3-7 days prior to your procedure to help reduce swelling and bruising post-procedure. Arnica supplements will also help to hasten the fading away of any bruises that do appear.
Remember to check in with your surgeon about any supplements or medications you are thinking about taking to ensure that they are helpful – not harmful – to your recovery.
Post-op Care Kit: Kitchen & Pantry Items
Experiencing swelling? Pick up some pineapple juice and frozen peas while shopping.
It is common to experience swelling after any type of surgery or injections. To counteract this, our surgeons recommend drinking pineapple juice or eating fresh pineapple after your procedure. Bromelain, an enzyme naturally found in pineapples, is a great anti-inflammatory agent. This property makes pineapple a great choice for naturally reducing swelling post-procedure
Cold compresses such as ice packs or wet gauze are great tools for reducing swelling and relieving pain following a procedure. The nice thing about a frozen pea bag is that you can proportion them out into small Ziploc bags that can be applied as cold compresses to your post-procedure site(s). The frozen peas can mold to the contours of your face in ways a traditional ice pack cannot, making them ideal for post-procedure care.
Need a drink? Keep hydrated and sip from straws.
For procedures like rhinoplasties, chin implants, and blepharoplasties, you want to avoid too much facial movement while healing to ensure the best post-op results. As such, our surgeons recommend purchasing and drinking from straws (when possible) while healing. Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours post-treatment or as long as you’re taking medications and aim to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day to ensure you’re well hydrated.
Ready to Schedule Your Appointment?
We’re here to answer all of your questions and help you through every step of your plastic surgery process. You can reach out to our team by email (staff@nadericenter.com) or phone (Reston, VA: 703-481-0002; Chevy Chase, MD: 301-222-2020) with questions or to schedule your appointment. We also have an extensive set of pre- and post-op guides covering our range of procedures available to you at https://www.virginiafacialplasticsurgery.com/for-patients/operative-instructions. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon!
