Here, Dr. Ary Krau explains why getting plenty of shut-eye can help you enjoy your new look and return to work and other regular activities faster.

What Sleep Does for Your Body After Surgery

Getting quality, restful sleep promotes your body’s ability to heal and bounce back after your operation. Some of the specific benefits of sleep include the following:

• Reduces inflammation
• Boosts your immune system to fight off potential infection
• Helps to minimize pain
• Improves circulation
• Soothes frazzled nerves

Your body needs lots of sleep after surgery; however, you might find that your quality of sleep suffers while you are recuperating. Your incisions and bandages may prevent you from sleeping in your regular sleeping positions, or you might feel stressed or anxious around bedtime.

Dr. Krau has some helpful tips to improve your sleep quality after surgery.

First, if you had facial plastic surgery and Dr. Krau has requested you sleep with your head elevated, prop your head up on a few pillows that provide firm support, or a wedge-shaped pillow. Alternatively, you might find it more comfortable to sleep in a reclining chair rather than in bed.

If you had breast or body surgery, sleeping on your back at a slight incline eliminates the need to strain to sit up and get out of bed. Placing pillows around the sides of your body ensures that you do not roll over onto your stomach while you sleep. And, many people find that placing pillows under the knees creates a natural curvature that is comfortable during sleep.

Are you experiencing trouble falling or staying asleep during your surgical recovery? Make sure you are not consuming caffeine too late in the day, and avoid alcohol altogether. Refrain from using a computer or smartphone right before bedtime, as the blue light from digital screens can interfere with your sleep. You might also want to try following a guided meditation or doing some breathing exercises around bedtime to signal to your body that it is time to rest.

If you have additional questions about sleeping after plastic surgery, Dr. Krau and our team are here to help. We will do everything we can to ensure you have the information and resources you need to enjoy a smooth, swift recovery.

To contact our practice, please call or email us today.

The post Why Adequate Sleep Is Important After Plastic Surgery appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Pick the Right Surgeon

Surgical technique plays a big role in how an incision will heal and scar. Choosing an experienced and qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Krau is important because you want a surgeon that knows how to place the incisions, how to handle the body’s tissues and how to close the incisions for the least noticeable scars.

Use Products as Prescribed

After surgery, you may receive prescriptions for topical creams or ointments from Dr. Krau to apply to the surgical incision site. Use these products as prescribed to keep the area clean and protect it from bacteria and infection.

Hydrate and Eat Right

Getting adequate hydration and eating nutritious meals are two of the best things you can do as you recover. The idea is to fuel your body and boost your immune system with as many nutrients and antioxidants as possible.

Refrain From Picking Scabs

If your surgical wound area starts to scab, avoid picking at it. The scab is in place to protect the healing wound until it has closed up. Scabs fall off naturally when they are ready and do not need you to pick at them or accelerate the process.

Do Not Smoke

Smoking is terrible for scar formation because it diminishes your body’s ability to carry oxygen to the healing tissues. During your pre-operative consultation, Dr. Krau will tell you that you need to stop smoking several weeks prior to surgery; it’s a good idea to refrain from picking the habit back up after surgery.

Light Exercise for Good Blood Flow

Exercising promotes healthy circulation. It is critical for the surgical wound site to get the nutrients and oxygen it needs for tissue regeneration. Exercising after surgery gets your heart pumping and your blood circulating. However, don’t jump back into exercising after surgery without clearing it with Dr. Krau. He might want you to stick with low-impact exercise like walking during your initial recovery.

Ask about Silicone Sheeting and Other Scar Products

Many doctors encourage the use of flat silicone sheeting to protect the incision site and prevent it from drying out or becoming raised. Some claim that the sheets help to control redness, swelling, scar thickness and itching. Ask Dr. Krau what he thinks about silicone sheeting (or similar alternatives).

One Factor You Cannot Control

Unfortunately, one factor that affects scarring but is out of your control is genetics. Some people are more predisposed than others to developing prominent scars. Upon examination during consultation, Dr. Krau can determine whether your skin is more likely to scar and explain what he can do to work around this.

Contact Our Miami Plastic Surgeon

For more information about minimizing plastic surgery scars, please contact Miami plastic surgeon Ary Krau today. You can reach our office by calling (305) 861-6881 or by sending us an email.

The post Tips to Minimize Scarring After Plastic Surgery appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Why It’s Important to Eat Nutritious Foods After Surgery

Eating healthy, well-balanced meals after plastic surgery — or any surgical procedure, for that matter — helps support your body’s healing mechanisms and other physiological functions, including digestion, nutrient absorption, cell repair and others.

For instance, certain foods such as fatty fish and dark leafy greens fight inflammation, while foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat can spur inflammation. Other foods such as oranges, ginger root and garlic encourage good blood circulation, which is integral in delivering life-giving oxygen and nutrients to the healing tissues. The bottom line is that proper nutrition is crucial to the healing process, and eating junk food can counteract your body’s ability to heal.

What Constitutes a Nutritious Diet

A nutritious diet consists of as many whole, unprocessed foods as possible. This means eating an orange instead of drinking orange juice or eating whole grains instead of overly processed white bread.

In general, eating plenty of whole grains, lots of vegetables, some fruit, some lean proteins and a bit of low-fat dairy and omega-3 fatty acids each day constitutes a well-balanced diet. Also, a good rule of thumb is to try to eat vegetables and fruits in every color of the rainbow to make sure you are getting a good mix of the unique vitamins and nutrients present in fruits and veggies of different colors.

You should try to avoid eating foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt and those that are processed.

Following a well-balanced, nutritious diet will help your body heal, optimize your surgical results and get you back to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

To learn more about recovering from plastic surgery or to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Krau, please contact his office by calling (305) 861-6881.

The post How Important Is Nutrition in the Healing Process of Plastic Surgery? appeared first on Ary Krau MD.