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Timing Your Surgery: The MPS Guide

Researching and planning for surgery can seem daunting. There are many factors to consider, such as the type of treatment you want as well as finding a trusted surgeon who can give you the best results. However, once you’ve decided on your treatment, had a consultation, and settled on a surgeon, you’ll then have to decide when you want to have your treatment. 

 

We understand that this can be an extremely difficult decision as you have to think about a whole host of variables such as ensuring you’re in good shape physically and mentally,  rearranging upcoming social events, keeping up with work or family commitments, planning holidays, and making space for time off where you’ll be unable to exercise or drive. 

 

While this may sound complicated, we’ve compiled a simple guide of things to consider to help you choose the best time to have your surgery; facilitating a speedy recovery and the best results. 

 

Pre-surgery

Whether you’re planning breast augmentation, a rhinoplasty, or a facelift, the weeks leading up to your treatment can involve mixed emotions. Preparing your body and your mind before your treatment is vital to ensure you’re best positioned to allow your surgeon to achieve your desired results.  

 

If you need to undertake any form of physical preparation ahead of your treatment, we will let you know in advance. Typically, this won’t impact the timing of your surgery, unless we have a cause for concern about your health. Nevertheless, planning your surgery for a time when you know you’ll be feeling physically fit, having a healthy diet and exercising regularly, will ensure you have a quick recovery from general anaesthetic (if needed) and see the best results from your treatment. 

 

Similarly, if you’re having a facelift, we advise you to take care of your skin as much as possible ahead of your treatment: keeping yourself well hydrated and using a good-quality moisturiser will help keep your skin in good condition, aiding recovery and helping to eliminate scarring. 

 

One important factor to consider is that if you’re a smoker, you must not smoke for at least 6 weeks before your surgery and 2 weeks after. So, when considering your timings, ensure that you’re aware of this period and know it’s something you’ll have to plan for! 

 

Work/Family Commitments

It’s easy for our lives to become extremely busy with work and social commitments along with necessary daily activities. But, for many patients, this makes finding a couple of weeks of downtime to have your treatment, rest, and heal can be difficult. 

 

If you’re often overwhelmed with daily tasks, scheduling your surgery for a few months in advance can help by allowing you time to plan for your treatment. You can put any necessary arrangements in place if you have dependents and schedule time away from work to allow you to focus on yourself and your recovery process. 

 

Upcoming events

One factor that may impact the timing of your surgery is if you have an event coming up. Perhaps there’s a wedding or party next year that you want to look and feel your best for. If so, scheduling your treatment for as soon as possible will allow you to have enough time to relax and let any bruises or scarring subside before your event takes place. 

 

Alternatively, some patients choose to postpone their surgery until after a holiday or big event, when they know they can relax and stay at home for a while. 

 

Either way, before you book your treatment, make sure you consider any big life events to make sure you have the time available that you need to rest and recover.

 

Post-surgery

Every surgery has a specific period of recovery time which will need to be taken into consideration when you’re planning and scheduling your treatment. Make sure you thoroughly research your chosen treatment and speak to your surgeon in your consultation about how much time you’ll need to stay at home and relax before you can return to your normal activities such as exercise, driving, and work. 

 

The more time you allow yourself to rest and relax, the quicker your recovery period will be. So, before scheduling your treatment, make sure you’ve blocked out the relevant number of days to rest (this will be advised by your surgeon in your consultation).

 

Is now a good time?

For many, the current national situation of COVID-19 related lockdown here in the UK is the perfect opportunity to schedule in treatment and rest at home without any logistical problems. You can continue to work from home from as soon as 2-3 days post-treatment and you won’t feel responsible to maintain a busy social calendar! 

To find out more about how we’ve adapted to conduct surgeries and consultations during COVID-19, click here. Or, if you feel that the time is right to start planning your cosmetic surgery, then complete the form below and our experts will be in touch shortly.

 

If you would like to learn more about this procedure or are interested in a consultation, fill out the form below or call us on 0161 523 8261