Rapid Recovery Pack Guide – Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery Melbourne
Download the Rapid Recovery Guide for Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery 2022
The Rapid Recovery Pack Guide is designed to help you achieve a safe, speedy recovery with a great result. This can be aided by following your surgeon’s specific instructions, preparing for surgery and post-surgery. The information contained below and in this Guide is of a general nature for Cocoruby Patients only. It should not be taken as medical advice for other people.
BEFORE YOUR SURGERY
What YOU can do to prepare for surgery
Diet
- Eat a balanced and healthy diet to ensure your body is well nourished.
- Foods high in protein, both Vitamins A and C, and Zinc will help prepare your immune system and skin for surgery.
- Be sure to ask your Surgical Support team which particular supplements to AVOID before your surgery.
Drink Fluids
- Ensure you drink adequate fluids in the days leading up to your surgery. A good measure of whether you are taking in enough fluid is the colour of your urine; it should be a very pale straw colour. The toilet water should only show a hint of yellow. If your urine is a dark yellow, drink more fluids, preferably water.
Rest
- Ensure you get plenty of rest and uninterrupted sleep; this will hold you in good stead for your surgery.
Plan your return home
- Make sure you plan your return home carefully.
- You must think about the impact looking after children or pets may have on your recovery period.
- Tasks such as food preparation, cleaning, picking up and putting down children may be too much when you are first discharged.
- Having good help at home is imperative to being able to take time to heal and recover.
What can we do?
Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery can organise a house cleaning or pet care service for when you return home.
Feel free to ask one of our Patient Care Advisors for more information. Phone (03) 8849 1444.
DURING YOUR SURGERY
What will WE do
Successful cosmetic surgery takes a collaborative approach and results are influenced by numerous factors. Be sure to keep your expectations realistic and remind yourself that as each patient is unique, results will vary from patient to patient. Please do your part to optimise your results.
All of our Specialist Surgeons have over two or more decades of specialist experience. This experience and knowledge translate into their ability to perform highly skilled surgery with outstanding results.
These techniques include:
Pre-Operative Planning
- Pre-operative planning by your Plastic Surgeon immediately prior to surgery, involving measurements, photos and markings, not only leads to outstanding results but also reduces the amount of time you will be under Anaesthetic.
Anaesthetic Blocks
- The use of local anaesthetic, not only around the operative site but also in the underlying muscle, leads to a reduction in both muscle spasms and pain.
Gentle and Careful Dissection
- Gentle and careful dissection by your experienced Surgeon will result in less tissue trauma, bruising, swelling, pain and also lowers the risk of wound infection.
Specialised Introducers and Proven Techniques
- The use of specialised, lubricated introducers during Breast Augmentation procedures places less stress on the implant, which is known to contribute to a longer implant lifespan. Ask your Surgeon about their special surgical techniques.
Your Surgical Team
- We aim to use a small, select group of Anaesthetists for all of our procedures. Many have been working with our Surgeons for 1-2 decades, making them experts in their field.
- This helps result in a shorter Anaesthetic and may also help reduce the chances of post-operative complications and provide better postoperative pain management.
- Where indicated, our Anaesthetists organise Patient Controlled Analgesia devices to be used, for efficient post-operative pain management in the ward.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
What YOU can do
Following these simple suggestions will move you through the recovery stage quicker and easier. As often as you can, be sure to wear the post-surgery bra or other post-surgery garments that have been provided both during the day and at night.
Good Nutrition & Diet
Good nutrition and a nutritionally balanced diet inclusive of all food groups is crucial to both your wound healing and recovery. We do NOT recommend that patients who have just had surgery follow any type of strict diet that limits the intake of entire food groups.
Protein
- Protein is essential for both the maintenance and repair of your body tissue.
- Depleted protein levels can cause a decrease in collagen development, slowing the wound healing process.
- High protein levels will help to achieve optimal wound healing rates.
- Protein sources include red and white meats, fish, eggs, liver, dairy products, soybeans, legumes, seeds, nuts and grains.
Vitamin A
- Vitamin A increases the inflammatory response in wounds, stimulating collagen synthesis.
- Low Vitamin A levels can result in delayed wound healing and susceptibility to infection.
- You can find Vitamin A in milk, cheese, eggs, fish and dark green vegetables.
Vitamin C
- This vitamin plays an important role in collagen synthesis, as well as the formation of blood vessels.
- It is mostly in fruit and vegetables, such as oranges, grapefruit and leafy greens.
- Adequate Vitamin C levels help to strengthen the healing wound, as well as, increase iron, other vitamins and mineral absorption.
Iron
- Iron is part of the system that provides oxygen to the site of the wound, therefore iron (haemoglobin) deficiency can impair healing.
- It can also result in impaired collagen production and reduced strength of the wound.
- The best sources of iron include red meat, offal, fish, eggs, wholemeal bread, dark green leafy vegetables, as well as, dried fruit and nuts.
Fluids
- Keeping well hydrated is important. Aim for at least 1.5 litres per day.
What WE will do
Supplementation of essential nutrients is often necessary when a normal diet is lacking or during times of healing and stress. While we strongly encourage a diet that provides you with all the ingredients for optimal healing, we have provided a range of supplements that may help provide the additional nutrients required for healing and recovery.
Help Your Healing with Your Rapid Recovery KIT (Useful products and aids provided for Melbourne Cocoruby patients only)
Some helpful products to assist your healing after surgery include:
Arginaid Powder Drink
- Arginine is concentrated in the skin and connective tissue and increases collagen deposition.
- It works at a cellular level to assist healing and stimulates the immune response.
- While it is found in foods such as eggs, nuts and whole grains, we supply you with a box of Arginaid Powder Drink to provide the extra help your body may need at this time.
- TIP: Dissolve one packet in a glass of water and drink twice a day, until all used.
Arnica Tablets
- Derived from the European plant Arnica Montana, Arnica is traditionally used in homeopathic medicine to help relieve strains, sprains, bruising and sore muscles.
- It may therefore help to relieve muscular pain, swelling and bruising after your surgical procedure.
- TIP: Follow the dosage guidelines outlined on the box.
Peppermint Tea
- After surgery, some people report that they have an ‘uneasy’ stomach.
- Peppermint has a tradition of medicinal use and is particularly helpful for mild feelings of an upset stomach.
- Try some Twinings Peppermint Tea.
Probiotics
- Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for your health, especially the digestive system.
- They are often called ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ bacteria as they help keep your gut healthy.
- Post-operatively, you will be prescribed a course of antibiotics which can often disrupt the balance of good or healthy bacteria in the body and may predispose some women to vaginal thrush or diarrhoea.
- Taking probiotics can help to avoid these side effects.
Gentle Exercise after Surgery
Exercise after surgery is essential to a speedy recovery; it is important to get moving as soon as possible after your surgery, without overdoing it. Depending on your level of fitness before surgery, you may find moving around
is difficult at first. Follow the specific instructions given by your Surgeon before returning to exercise. If something feels too heavy or painful, then listen to your body and take the hint! More information about exercise is in the Post Operative Care Guide
Skin Care and Scar Management
Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after an injury or surgical incision. After your incision line or wound has closed and healed, it can take over 12 months for your scar(s) to completely settle.
A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. Every wound following surgery, disease or an accident results in some degree of scarring, with the exception of very minor lesions. Our Dermal Clinicians and your Specialist Plastic Surgeon may advise you on Scar Management options such as Healite II Low Level Light Therapy treatments.
They can also suggest what you can do to help minimise your scars.
Record your Results
Make sure to Record your Medications and any Pain levels experienced. Download the Rapid Recovery Kit Guide as it has convenient space and tables to record your patient information.
