Returning to exercise after facial plastic surgery
Scottsdale Phoenix Mesa facial plastic surgeon
When you’re having facial plastic surgery, it’s important to have a plan for your recovery period. Your results will ultimately depend on what you do during this time, so it’s crucial that you know what to expect and plan for the necessary downtime for healing.
One thing that’s on many patients’ minds is when they can go back to their regular exercise routine. Many of our patients are active, and often want to be able to get back to exercising as soon as they can. Why is it important to avoid exercise after facial plastic surgery? When can you go back to your workouts?
Why do you need to avoid exercise after facial plastic surgery?
Working out increases your blood pressure and heart rate. If you do this too soon after your surgery, then it can increase the amount of swelling that you experience. Not only is this uncomfortable, but it can also cause damage to the tissues as they heal. It can cause problems with the incisions; they may be stretched, which can mean that your scars end up being permanently wider, and there’s even a risk of an incision reopening. You also increase the risk of a hematoma, which is a collection of blood beneath the skin that sometimes requires an additional procedure to drain it.
In addition, certain types of exercise (like yoga) involve bending over, so that your head is below your heart. This increases the blood flow to your face, which can also lead to more significant swelling, bleeding, and problems with the incision sites. It’s very important to avoid bending over for any reason for the first few weeks after your facial plastic surgery procedure.
When can you return to exercising after facial plastic surgery?
Although vigorous exercise is definitely not recommended soon after your surgical procedure, it’s actually important to do a little light movement. This helps to prevent blood clots from developing in your legs. You should aim to get up and walk for a few minutes a day. Keep it slow and gentle, so your heart rate doesn’t go up. You’re just aiming for some light movement, to encourage blood flow.
Exercise is usually restricted to walking for about two weeks after surgery. You can gradually increase the length of your walks, and you can start walking just a little faster as you approach the end of these two weeks, but you’ll still want to avoid anything strenuous. By the third week after surgery, you can start to gradually ramp up the intensity of your workouts, although it will still be a little longer before you’re ready for things like strenuous running.
In addition, you should make sure that you avoid sun exposure on your incisions for at least three months after surgery. Sunlight can cause a permanent darkening of the scar tissue, so it’s best to avoid it as much as you can. If you’re used to exercising outdoors (as many of us here in Arizona are), make sure that you take this into consideration.
Scottsdale Phoenix Mesa facial plastic surgeon
We’ve just offered some general guidelines here. You’ll receive very specific and detailed aftercare instructions when you come for your procedure. You’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions that you have, and you can also get in touch with us to discuss any issues that come up during the healing process. Make sure that you follow the personalized instructions that you’re given, to maximize the quality of your results.
If you have any questions about facial plastic surgery or would like to discuss what’s involved in the recovery from any procedure that you may be considering, we invite you to contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Caniglia. He’s happy to discuss all aspects of surgery with you so that you feel completely prepared.