Diseases

Insurance carriers are all different, but one thing is the same: They typically agree NOT to cover elective, cosmetic surgery. If your procedures will in any way correct a medical condition, it's important that you express this to your insurance carrier. Your surgeon can write a letter detailing your case. Also, it's important to realize that cosmetic or plastic surgery can affect future coverage under certain insurance carriers. It can also affect your premiums. Make sure you ask your insurance carrier about how your future coverage or premiums will be affected should you undergo any of these procedures. Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Plastic Surgery Edited by Cynthia Haines , MD, April 2005. Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2003

During your consultation, your surgeon will instruct you on what medications to avoid prior to your surgery. Certain medications and vitamins thin your blood and can cause increased bleeding. If you are a smoker, you will need to quit at least two weeks before the surgery and two weeks after. You cannot just plan to cut down. You must not smoke for this time period to ensure proper healing. Also, this is no time for a diet: make sure that you eat properly because this will help your body heal. Make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of surgery. You should especially plan to wear a button-down blouse or shirt that does not have to be pulled over your neck or head. You should plan to take at least one week off from work to recover. However, your doctor can determine this based on your personal situation. If you are having platysmaplasty, cervicoplasty, or a combination of any of the procedures we've discussed here, you should plan on having a home recovery area set up before you undergo surgery. Your Home Recovery Area Should Include:

• Ice packs
• Gauze and towels
• Thermometer
• Supply of comfortable, loose clothing (preferably button down shirts or blouses that do not have to be pulled over your neck and head)
• Petroleum jelly and antibacterial ointment for incision sites
• Telephone within reaching distance of where you'll be lying or sitting most of the time
• Supply of pillows which will allow you to keep your head in a comfortable position
• Someone who can stay with you at least the first 24 hours after surgery

You will have swelling and bruising that can last for several days. You may feel tightness or tingling, and different sensations including burning or pulling. You also will experience numbness. These are all very normal in the first few weeks following surgery and should not be cause for concern. As with any surgery, you run the risk of infection. Please keep a watchful eye on your temperature. At the first sign of a fever, contact your doctor. If you have unusual discharge from the incision site, such as pus, contact your doctor immediately. Although it's very rare, you could have an allergic reaction to the anesthesia. That's why it's very important to disclose any drug allergies to your doctor in a pre-operative consultation.

Recovery takes time and it's important that you're patient with the process. Most people can return to work in 10-14 days. If you participate in other sports or are physically active, you will have to wait at least three weeks, if not longer, to resume those activities. Don't rush! It's not worth it. You've put a lot of time and energy into making this happen, so make it worthwhile.