Lifestyle Changes and Natural Medicines Can Speed Recovery After Cosmetic Procedures

Does she, or doesn’t she? We recently went to New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Shirley Madhère for a little holistic advice on how you can recover faster and more naturally after “having a little work done” so no one is the wiser. Her simple recommendations are not just for her famous and fabulous clientele!

1. Stop smoking six weeks before having any plastic surgical procedure done. “Smoking makes it harder for the body to heal itself and increases the risk of complications,” says Dr. Madhère. “So I insist patients who smoke kick the habit as soon as possible, at least six weeks prior to the procedure.”
2. Try to lose some weight prior to body contouring procedures. Excess weight may contribute to adverse outcomes and reduces the optimal result from body contouring.
3. Prepare for procedures with a detox program. To help prepare the body for the stress of surgery, Dr. Madhère recommends that her patients increase their protein intake, and eat fewer fats and carbs and more fruits and vegetables. This cleansing process, when done under the guidance of a nutritionist, helps jump start the body to a healthier state.
4. If bruising or swelling does occur, apply Boiron’s Arnicare Gel, a topical homeopathic medicine that naturally minimizes these symptoms. “I always send patients home with tubes of Arnicare Gel,” says Dr. Madhère. “Applying a thin layer of gel on the affected area helps to reduce pain, swelling and discoloration from bruising. I prefer to rely on safe, natural medicines to offset the uncomfortable aspects of the procedure. Minimizing the duration of bruising also may be important in preventing hyperpigmentation, which can affect patients of color.”
5. Get a lymphatic massage after surgery to reduce discomfort from swelling. “This specific and gentle medical massage technique assists the body’s innate healing capacity and aids in recovery by reducing fluid retention, enhancing the removal of toxins from the body’s tissues and supporting the immune system.”

Thanks for the tips, Dr. Madhère!

Shirley Madhère, M.D. is an Associate Adjunct surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and maintains two practices in New York’s Upper East Side and SoHo. Her work is focused on aesthetic surgery of the face, breast surgery and cosmetic surgery, as well as general plastic surgery. Visit her on the web: www.thenewaesthete.com or click-lift.com, or follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/givegoodface.