Before cosmetic surgery, it is very important to have a detailed discussion with the patient about the treatment process and recovery. Typically, the marketing of cosmetic procedures presents them as painless and completely safe procedures that do not require recovery or rest. They are often presented as lunchtime procedures that can be indulged in instead of dessert. Individual cosmetic procedures may approach such promises, but this cannot be said for major cosmetic surgical procedures, which are entirely comparable in their complexity to operations in other surgical fields. Recovery after these procedures is crucial, so the procedure must be well-planned and recovery must be included as an important part of achieving the final goal. Recovery after cosmetic surgery is individual and depends on the complexity of the surgical procedure, the type of anesthesia, the area of the body, and numerous other factors, especially the psycho-physical and health status of the operated person, postoperative treatment, any complications, as well as the emotional state after the procedure and the help of relatives. Upon discharge, every patient must receive precise written and verbal instructions from the surgeon who performed the procedure regarding pain medication, any antibiotics, and other medications to be taken at home, wound care, and how to recognize complications. It is recommended that for all major procedures, the surgeon also provide the patient with their emergency phone number after discharge to home care. It is normal for the skin around the wound to be slightly swollen, mildly red, and more sensitive and painful, also due to bandages.
WOUND HEALING IS A COMPLEX PROCESS THAT, IN ADDITION TO GENETIC FACTORS, IS ALSO HINDERED BY:
Signs to look out for that indicate infection or fluid accumulation are:
Signs of alarm after major aesthetic procedures also include swelling, redness, and pain in the calves or thighs, and/or difficulty breathing. These may indicate blood clots in the veins and, consequently, an extremely rare but dangerous pulmonary embolism that requires immediate medical attention.
Patients may also notice altered sensation in the operated area after surgery, such as pressure, numbness, burning, stinging, and tingling. These sensations are a result of the tissues (especially skin nerves) being stretched, pulled, and pressed during surgery. They are usually not
Numerous studies have clearly demonstrated the harmful effects of smoking. It damages tissues and organs. In general, smokers are considered to be at twice the risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-smokers. For female smokers, this risk is approximately four times greater than for non-smoking women.
Among the most harmful substances in cigarette smoke are tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. Nicotine causes the release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which are responsible for feelings of pleasure and consequent addiction. Nicotine also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to the release of more adrenaline, which stimulates the body, causes a sudden release of glucose into the blood, raises blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate. Nicotine and carbon monoxide damage blood vessels. The damage caused to the cardiovascular system by smoking can be divided into acute and long-term. The outcome of surgery is particularly affected by the immediate, direct (acute) effects of smoking.
Smoking causes the heart to beat faster and blood pressure to rise. This increases the oxygen demands of the heart muscle. At the same time, arteries narrow, reducing blood flow and the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and medications that are essential for good wound healing.
The combination of tissue tension from suturing and smoking can lead to poor blood supply, impaired healing, and wound dehiscence, which may necessitate further surgical intervention or result in unsightly, stretched scars. The best outcome of surgical work can only be achieved through good cooperation with the patient, who is willing to temporarily change their lifestyle and give up harmful habits.
Every skin procedure leaves behind scars, which depend not only on good surgical technique and suturing or dressing materials, but also on tissue properties. For the most part, surgical wounds do not leave unsightly scars. Most often, only a line of varying length remains, hidden in skin folds or under clothing.
However, some people are genetically prone to forming unsightly hypertrophic scars (excessive scarring) or even keloids (an irregularly shaped, hardened scar that bulges above the skin), which cannot be completely eliminated with any treatment. This genetic predisposition can be identified in some individuals before a procedure by examining old scars from injuries or previous surgeries.
Initially, a scar is red and firm to the touch. Over about a year, it gradually matures, becoming lighter and softer. Scars can later widen and become darker than the surrounding skin. It is important that patients do not expose scars to the sun in the first few months after surgery. The maturation of a scar can be partially accelerated with daily massage using a neutral fatty cream in the direction of the wound, with the use of elastic compression garments, silicone gel, or silicone sheets. However, scar massage should only begin once the wounds have healed. The decision to potentially correct problematic scars is made later, 6–12 months after surgery.
