Recovery Pack Guide

Recovery Pack Guide – Coco Ruby Plastic Surgery Melbourne

The Recovery Pack Guide was created to support the safe recovery and surgical outcomes of our patients. This is possible by adhering to your surgeon’s tailored guidelines and adequately preparing for both the surgical procedure and the post-surgery period.

The details provided in this Guide are general in nature and are intended solely for Coco Ruby Patients. They should not be construed as medical advice for individuals outside this context.

BEFORE 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 – Stay hydrated

• 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

• Make sure to rest well and get uninterrupted sleep; this will help prepare you effectively 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 1300 599 990.

DURING YOUR SURGERY

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. Do your part to optimise your results.

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. 

Introducers and Proven Techniques

The use of 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 surgical techniques.

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 a considerable time.
• 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 post-operative pain management in the ward.

AFTER YOUR SURGERY – What You Can Do Post Surgery

Following these simple suggestions will help you navigate through the recovery stage. 

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 hydrated is important. Aim for at least 1.5 litres of water per day.
• Most teas are also suitable to drink during recovery.
• Avoid soft drinks or drinks high in sodium as sodium can cause fluid retention and impact swelling.
• Avoiding beverages like coffee and alcohol is also recommended.

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 also provide our patients with a range of supplements that may help provide the additional nutrients required for optimal healing and recovery.

Help Your Healing with Your Recovery Kit (Useful products and aids provided for Melbourne Coco Ruby 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.

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 Movement after Surgery

Movement after surgery is essential to assist in 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. 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 Recovery Kit Guide as it has convenient space and tables to record your patient information.

Further Information and Reading

• Read the Post-Operative Care Guide
• Read the Tips for Recovery after Surgery
• Cosmetic Surgery Recovery and How to Speed it up