Plastic surgery recovery is in inevitable part of the process of getting your dream body. While it is typically not patients’ favorite part of their journey, it can go by smoothly and easily if you make sure to follow all your post-op instructions and take care of yourself to the fullest. If you are traveling to Miami or Austin, Texas for your plastic surgery, one very important aspect of your recovery will be your stay at a hotel, Airbnb or Recovery House. When traveling, you must plan for some downtime in the city you are having your procedure in to allow for a safe and speedy recovery.
Below we go over the reasons you need to stay in the city of your surgery, how long you should stay, and what to expect and plan for during this time:
Why do I have to Stay in my Surgery City After my Procedure?
During the first few days after your recovery, you will be sore and uncomfortable. You will be asked to walk a lot in order to reduce the risk of blood clots, which can be deadly. Being on a plane or in a car for a long period of time after surgery can not only be uncomfortable, but dangerous for your health. To minimize these risks and ensure the best healing, surgeons encourage you to wait until your swelling has gone down and for your body begin healing to travel after surgery.
How Long do I Need to Stay in my Surgery City After my Procedure?
If you travel outside of your hometown for surgery, you should expect to stay in the city you had your surgery for at least a week, and sometimes even more, after your procedure. This is so that your body has adequate time to heal. Some patients will need to wait even longer than a week if their body is healing more slowly, or if they are experiencing prolonged swelling. However, if you follow all your post-op instructions, eat healthily and drink plenty of water, everything should go according to plan and you should be back home within a week after your procedure.
Where Should I Travel for Plastic Surgery?
The choice in where to travel to for your cosmetic surgery is entirely personal and depends on a number of factors. What procedure you will be having will help you determine where to go for your procedure, as certain surgeons and facilities are more experienced in specific procedures. Your budget will also help determine what the best location for your procedure is – some prefer to stay local to save costs while others will splurge a little more on travel on accommodations to ensure their dream results.
One question many patients have about traveling for cosmetic surgery is whether or not facilities outside of the U.S. are safe and standardized. Cosmetic surgeons who operate in facilities with hospital-level safety measures are available in a number of highly developed countries. However, the opposite can be true too, and there are extra precautions you need to take when traveling for cosmetic surgery anywhere to ensure a safe experience.
When you have plastic surgery close to home, it’s much easier to verify a cosmetic surgeon’s qualifications and experience, thus minimizing your risk. When you travel abroad, you can’t easily view the surgeon or operating facility ahead of time. There may be a language barrier or difficulty getting in contact with the facility or your surgeon. But despite these challenges, many people do choose to go abroad for plastic surgery and are totally happy with their decision to do so. It is up to you to do your research, weigh out the pros and cons, and decide what makes the most sense for your unique situation.
What are my Accommodation Options for my Stay After Surgery?
If you choose to travel for your plastic surgery, your accommodation options are a hotel, an Airbnb, or a Recovery House. If you are traveling with a loved one who will be able to take care of you during your stay, you may prefer a private hotel room or Airbnb where you will have more space and amenities. If you are traveling alone, you will want to stay in a Recovery House, where a caretaker will be able to ensure that you are healing properly, eating well and taking any needed medication. In a recovery house, you will also be surrounded by other women who are in the same situation as you, which may be comforting.
The choice to travel for plastic surgery is entirely up to you and depends on a variety of factors. The procedure you want to have done, your budget and your unique situation will help determine what the best choice is for you. Be sure to do your research and follow all given pre- and post-op instructions to ensure a smooth and speedy recovery!