Ways to Manage Post-Surgery Pain

People will choose to avoid something that causes them pain, including plastic surgery. In fact, a recent study by RealSelf.com revealed that more than half of the people who want plastic surgery are choosing not to get it because of fear it will hurt. Unfortunately, pain is something to expect when you have surgery of any kind. However, it is possible to manage your pain so that it doesn’t overwhelm you or keep you from getting a procedure.

Start Before Your Surgery

When you have a consultation with a surgeon, they will go over everything about the procedure from start to finish, including how to prepare for it. They’ll go over your health history, do an assessment of your body, and ask you about any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. For this part, it will be helpful to you if you make a list to bring with you to the appointment. You’ll likely be getting pain medications to cope with the worst of the pain after surgery, so your surgeon needs to know if any of your current medications will interact with them in a bad way. By giving your surgeon a full and complete list, you’ll be able to prevent additional pain and complications from things you’re already taking.

You’ll also learn about the recovery period and the best ways to ensure that you have a smooth healing process. Ask your surgeon about the level of pain you can expect to have and how long that pain will last. They won’t be able to give you a precise time, because every patient reacts differently to surgery, but you’ll be able to get an understanding of how much pain you can expect. Once you have this understanding, you’ll be able to mentally prepare yourself for it. You should also ask about any possible complications or side effects, so you know what to watch out for.

Prepping your home is also a good way to manage your pain levels. Set up a comfortable area in your home where you can rest and relax in a way that doesn’t exacerbate your pain. Stock up on ice packs and your pain medications. Keep things you might need within easy reach. By making your home as ready as possible, you can make your recovery smoother and less painful.

After Your Surgery

One of the most important things you can do to manage your pain is to stay ahead of it. Take your pain medications on schedule and develop a consistent routine with your ice packs. Get as much rest as you possibly can and don’t overexert yourself. Your surgeon will give you a list of recovery guidelines to follow; make sure you pay attention to it.

You should also be vocal about the pain you experience. Don’t feel like you have to tough it out or suffer through your recovery. Pain and discomfort are part of getting surgery, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t say how you’re feeling to your surgeon. They’re going to want to know how much pain you’re experiencing so that they’ll know if something is wrong. If anything hurts more than you think it should, be sure to say something.

Schedule an Appointment

Pain is expected with most plastic surgery procedures, but fear of that pain shouldn’t keep you from getting one! You can start easing your worries by scheduling an appointment with a skilled facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Paul Nassif has been a practicing cosmetic surgeon for over 20 years and has performed on thousands of patients. His skill and expertise makes him one of the best and most sought after facial plastic surgeons in the country. To schedule an initial patient consultation with Dr. Nassif, call (310) 275-2467 or send an email through our Contact page.