Plastic surgeon Dr. Bryce Cowan explains what expectations patients should have in terms of recovery time. Can patients go right back to work the next day, or run a marathon?
A patient’s preparation for the day of the procedure will vary depending on the specific procedure and its scope. Fat grafts can be performed by itself, or as part of a larger cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift. In terms of a typical fat graft, patients should avoid blood thinning medication for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery to reduce bruising and bleeding. Patients should also shower prior to the procedure. After the procedure, patients should reduce their activities, especially ones that elevate blood pressure. Quite often the harvest site like the abdomen and flank are tender for some time.
