Winter is a great time for most people to schedule plastic surgeries. Many people take vacations or get additional time off during winter. Winter clothing helps “hide the evidence” and allows patients to keep their surgery under wraps. People are also less exposed to the sun and other elements during winter, which is a good thing. Sun exposure isn’t good for wound healing. These are some of the best surgeries to look into planning during the winter months.
Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck is at the top of this list, mostly because the recovery is longer than most other cosmetic procedures. Your surgeon will make an incision hip to hip during a tummy tuck and remove loose and excess skin. Some patients may have their abdominal muscles tightened as well during a tummy tuck. Due to all of the tightening going on, it can take several weeks for the patient to stand up straight again fully. Patients should plan for two to three weeks off work, cleaning, and childcare during recovery from a tummy tuck. While it is okay to shower, patients need to avoid swimming or baths during the recovery period. Another crucial factor is the appearance of the scar. Plastic surgeons will place the scar so that a bikini bottom would hide it. However, the scar must be not be exposed to the sun or tanning beds until it is fully healed. Doctors typically recommend a minimum of 6 months without exposing your scar to the sun.
Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation is the most common of all of the surgeries performed in the industry. Women get this done all day, every day, all year long. However, this is another time when you want to keep your scar away from the sun to heal better. You also don’t want to have your incisions submerged in any bodies of water for the first few weeks. (Showering is fine.) After a breast augmentation, some women feel their breasts seem very high. This is only temporary, and after a few months, the breasts will settle into a more natural position. By having your breast augmentation in the winter, you will be beach-ready by Spring Break.
Liposuction
Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. This is a procedure that can be performed on many areas of the body. The key to getting a great result from liposuction is wearing a compression garment day and night for the first few weeks after surgery. These garments can be worn under clothes, but patients might be more comfortable wearing the garment in cooler months. Many patients may have some soreness and bruising after surgery, which is better concealed by winter clothing.
BBL
A BBL or Brazilian Butt Lift can be a little more convenient when done in the wintertime. During a BBL, the first step of the procedure is liposuction, which, as we mentioned above, uses small incisions and causes some significant bruising. One of the most important steps of a BBL, and that’s staying off of your backside. Following this procedure, you will spend a few weeks standing or laying on your stomach and sides, so you’re not putting any pressure on the newly introduced fat. Any time you have a fat transfer, a small percentage of the fat does not “stick,” but if you avoid putting pressure on the treatment area, it can help you retain more of the transferred fat. Having your BBL done in the winter means you can debut your new booty at the beach this summer.
Facelift
A facelift is another one that people really prefer to do in winter because of the recovery process. After a facelift, some women wrap a scarf around their hair hide the incision during healing. Wearing a scarf seems more natural in winter than in summer and compliments winter outfits.
If you consider any of these procedures and think winter may be the best time for you, schedule a personal consultation with one of our award-winning, board-certified plastic surgeons at Gulf Coast Plastic Surgery, Drs. Peter Butler, Jocelyn Leveque, and Nathan Patterson.
