How can I reduce swelling after surgery? What is the treatment that I can use to reduce swelling after surgery? Surgery is a stressful episode in your life that makes demands on your body. When you undergo surgery, one of the most common and temporary side effects of it is swelling. When you are considering to do plastic surgery or any surgery, you need to factor the healing process and treatment required. There are a lot of ways to reduce swelling after surgery, and this will be discussed as you read.
Causes of Swelling
Our body views surgery as a kind of trauma that makes our cells release chemicals that affect the permeability of blood vessels in the area of our injury. The increase in permeability lets white blood cells, fluids and other chemicals to flood the areas and start the healing process. This process is called swelling or inflammation. Surgery, although regulated, still causes a trauma by way of the incisions. Swelling can occur after a medical surgery even after a dental surgery such as implants placement.
Ways to Reduce the Swelling
People who undergo surgery should know that swelling is entirely normal, including plastic surgery. But, you can still minimize the swelling by applying several treatments without interfering the healing process. Here are some of the good practices or treatments that you can do to reduce the swelling.
- Protect the damaged part where the surgery takes place from further damage. Use a wrap or a brace on the part where surgery had taken place. It is to prevent from being infected and from further damage. You can also avoid contact on the body parts that surgery has taken place.
- Resting is an important step to reduce swelling. Rest the body part that undergone surgery by not moving it. Moving or exercising is also suitable for the healing process, but it should be pain-free. Remember to not do your routine right after surgery, as to prevent further damage. Giving yourself the time to heal will provide you with a fast recovery. And it would be best if you rested for about three to five days after surgery.
- After surgery, ice the injury for the first seventy-two hours and rest for twenty minutes every hour. It will bring down the swelling and bruising time. Ice contracts the blood vessels and decreases the blood flow on the swelling part of your body. Icing the swelling part will control the bleeding, pain and edema. Please don’t leave the ice longer on the swelling part as it may increase the swelling. Never use icepacks directly on the skin, as it will cause frostbite. And do not use heat on the swelling part, as it would increase the swelling.
- Cold compress is a way of reducing swelling. It will bring down the swelling and bruising time. A cold compress can help control the swelling. Compression also accelerates the healing process by minimizing the swelling. Also, it increases the circulation to the swelling area and speeds up the healing process.
- While you are on rest, you must be careful about keeping the surgical area slightly elevated whenever possible to aid the circulation of your blood as elevation helps in decreasing the bleeding and edema. Elevate the swelling area above the heart to allow the fluids to drain out of the swelling part. Inclined pillows or bed wedges are suitable for elevation the swelling area. As it provides the best elevation and so you can sleep or relax comfortably.
- After surgery, you need to drink a lot of water to keep you from dehydration. It is essential to drink a lot of water to maintain your health and body to operate at a high level. Sustaining proper amount of water will allow your body to heal correctly. And will help you in decreasing any swelling or bruising after surgery.
- Avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for it will help in keeping the swelling at a minimum. For fast and comfortable recovery, avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol for at least three weeks after the surgery.
- Maintain a healthy diet, but reduce your salt intake as salt is not suitable for swelling and should be avoided while you are on a healing process. The excellent sources of vitamins for the reduction of swelling are the eggs, greens and yogurt.
People who undergo surgery should know that swelling is entirely normal, including plastic surgery. And that following the instructions of your doctor will help you in your quick recovery or follow this cosmetic resource for your guide.
