There are multitudes of surgery after-care products out there that can help you heal and recover comfortably from your plastic surgery procedure. Products cover every possible procedure from head to toe, so whether you had facial surgery, a breast augmentation, liposuction, hair replacement or hair removal, there is a product that can soothe, speed or conceal the healing process. So how do you know what will work for you?

Your plastic surgeon can advise you about the product that will work best to aid in your recovery, but there are recovery products out there that may work for you in addition to what your surgeon recommends. Keep in mind that you should always follow the directions of your plastic surgeon, and make sure it’s safe for you to use heat and cold on your treated areas.

Plastic Surgery After Care Products

• Make-up: Some swelling and bruising lasts longer and may need to be covered up with special camouflage make-up and concealer. Choose the type and color you require, but make sure first when it will be safe for you to use. Most plastic surgery specific make-ups contain SPF 20 or more, and yellow-based neutralizer color can conceal stubborn bruising and discoloration. Make-up can also help cover up scarring from surgery.
• Compression Garments: Compression garments are made specifically to help the body reabsorb extra fluids and blood left behind after a face lift, any abdominal surgery, thigh lift, liposuction, or breast surgery. There are full compression body suits for immediately after multiple procedures; stage-two tighter compression garments for advanced recovery, as well as skirts, shorts, face bands, and male breast reduction compression vests.
• Elevation Devices: Keeping legs elevated after abdominoplasty or other plastic surgery is important, and elevation devices can offer a little more comfort than plain pillows.
• Breast Surgery Bras: After breast surgery, expect a lot of soreness and tenderness. Expect to need a lot of support as well. Soft, comfortable front-closure bras without under wire will likely serve patients best, and there is no lack of choice in breast surgery bras. Breast bands stabilize implants and reduce the chance of shifting, while silicone gel sheeting can be worn under bras next to the skin to help with scar treatment and healing.
• Scar Treatment: Scar fading creams from cocoa butter to silicone gels are available at most surgical product websites and stores. After plastic surgery, consider stickier silicone gel sheeting as an alternative to creams, which can rub off easily.
• Oral Care: When you’ve had oral surgery, cosmetic dentistry, or if your surgery incisions are in your mouth, it can be necessary to have a gentle and easy way to cleanse the area. Oral irrigators, oral swabs and wipes, as well as flavored swab sticks can help when your teeth feel like they’re wearing sweaters. Try Lemon Glycerine Swab sticks.
• Pillows: Propping yourself up with pillows can actually help you heal properly after plastic surgery. Spending a lot of time on your bum or sitting in the same position can get really uncomfortable. Pillows, leg wedges and back wedges can make it more comfortable to be elevated for long periods of time.
• Ice Masks and Packs: From cold masks and pads to pillows and contoured ice packs that fit around breasts, there is likely a perfect cooling product out there for you. Not only can ice reduce redness and swelling and minimize bruising, the cooling and numbing quality offers some relief from any tenderness after your plastic surgery.
• Heating Masks and Pads: Moist heat or dry heat may sometimes be needed and prescribed by your surgeon. Available through most plastic surgery after-care suppliers, these single or multiple-use pads and masks can cover the abdomen, face, back, breasts or be applied to any area on the body that needs moist or dry heat.
• Homeopathic Healing Aids: Tea tree oil, a long-trusted herbal remedy, and arnica, which is a mountainous herb reported to reduce swelling and promote healing are both herbal remedies used in cosmetic surgery recovery. Bromelain, another natural substance derived from pineapples, and is reported to help with inflammation, healing, digestion and pain relief. Be careful to consult with your doctor before using any unknown products.
• Sun Protection Products: Hats, scarves, sunglasses and SPF 30 sun block are important plastic surgery recovery products. Since these items all ward off the scar worsening and skin-damaging effects of the sun, they should be used whenever you step outside. These are not your typical bland and boring medical products, so don’t be turned off. Many post-surgery aids are actually fabulously fashionable. Choose from glamorous wide brimmed hats, silky scarves and Jackie O type sunglasses that do double duty to hide scars and offer sun protection.
• Recovery Kits: For about $200 you can get a convenient and pre-packed kit. Kits are prepared by procedure name and include the various items needed to accommodate the recovery of every individual procedure. A tummy tuck kit may include a reacher tool so you do not have to strain to reach what you need, scar cream, a leg pillow, pill timer, antibiotic cream, mouth freshening products, and a bed pull-up to help you sit up from a fully reclined position. Available at Home Recovery, these inclusive kits make a perfect, thoughtful gift for someone having plastic surgery.