Most patients will experience some degree of swelling after plastic surgery. In general, this is completely normal and indicates the body’s natural response to surgery or injury. Many people believe that swelling is an indication of excess blood in the region, but if there is no bruise to accompany the swelling, it may simply be an accumulation of other fluids. While swelling does not always indicate a problem, it can be uncomfortable, painful, and annoying, so most patients will look for a way to reduce this swelling.
Causes of Swelling
Swelling occurs after the body has gone through some sort of trauma. For example, almost every plastic surgery requires of the use of an incision and the disturbance or manipulation of a patient’s tissues. Even the smallest incisions and most minor surgical procedures can cause temporary trauma to the body. When the body senses this trauma, it will begin sending fluid to the area in order to prevent infection and aid in the healing process. These fluids are generally white blood cells, proteins, and other nutrients that can help repair the area. Swelling is often accompanied by inflammation, which can be the real reason that swelling is painful or uncomfortable.
How to Reduce Swelling
When patients begin to see swelling in an area of plastic surgery, many will become concerned that there is a problem or complication. Most of the time, however, swelling is no cause for concern and is simply part of the body’s natural healing process. That does make swelling any less inconvenient, however, and therefore most patients will look for a way to decrease swelling and accelerate the healing process. If the doctor has not installed drains or other implements to collect the excess of fluid, there are other ways to decrease the severity of the swelling.
Ice
Ice is one of the most well known ways to reduce swelling after injury or surgery. The cold helps to numb the area of irritation and to shrink the tissues around the swelling site back to their original size and shape. When icing, it is important to be very careful not to disturb the site of incision or any stiches, or to get the area wet. The best method for icing is to put ice cubes in a plastic bag, and then wrap that plastic bag in a hand towel. The iced area will still benefit from the cold, but will not get wet. The icing regimen can include 15 minutes of icing, and then 15 to 20 minutes without icing, for the first 48 hours after surgery
Low Sodium Diet
When a person has too much salt in the diet, the body tends to hold on to fluids. This fluid retention can exacerbate swelling, as it allows for more fluid to be in the system, and therefore more fluid to be available to collect in areas of irritation.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise
While it is important to avoid exercise in order to not harm or reopen an incision, it is also vital to reducing swelling, as exercise can raise a patient’s blood pressure and increase inflammation.
To schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact the practice of Dr. John R. Griffin.
