As the saying goes, timing is everything. This is even true when planning a facial procedure, such as a rhinoplasty, facelift or eyelid surgery. Dr. Jay Dutton of the Rhinoplasty Institute of Chicago, Oak Brook and Tinley Park, IL, offers patients some helpful tips to consider before scheduling their next procedure.
Best and worst times for surgery
“In general, the ideal time to schedule facial surgery is in September,” explains Dr. Dutton. “There are two reasons for this: the first is that early fall is a slow time for surgery because students are heading back to school and parents are getting back to their normal daily routines. The second is that some procedures require that the patient limit sun exposure for six months.”
Dr. Dutton suggests patients think about these particular time periods carefully:
- Winter Holiday Season: This is the busiest time in any office and it may be difficult to get an appointment. Students are often home for the holidays and many families have met their insurance deductibles.
- Spring Break: Typically during March and April, some patients have an opportunity to go on vacation. Scheduling surgery right before a break can be a good time in order to hide any hints of a facial procedure. However, most facial procedures require limited sun exposure post-surgery.
- Early June: This is when most schools are finished for the year and both students and busy parents have a more relaxed schedule. This a convenient, yet busy time in a surgical practice.
These are very busy times so it may be difficult to get your surgery done in a timely manner, and with June you will need to try to avoid sun the remainder of the summer.
Understand expected down time
Dr. Dutton also recommends that patients consider the amount of down time needed after surgery.
- Rhinoplasty: Following nasal surgery, the splint and bandages are removed after about one week. Bruising should be fully resolved after another week to ten days. Over a period of about three months, the nose undergoes significant changes as the swelling fully dissipates. Most patients can return to work one week after surgery.
- Facelift: Following a facelift, most patients can expect to have all sutures removed in one week. Any bruising should be greatly reduced in about two weeks, but swelling can take a little longer. Most physicians recommend no heavy lifting for one full month after surgery.
- Blepharoplasty: Following eyelid surgery, stitches are usually removed within five days and most patients can return to work without makeup after five days with most swelling and bruising fully healed. In more complicated procedures, swelling may last one to two weeks.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing to me is you and your schedule,” Dr. Dutton adds. “I work with my patients to figure out what makes the most sense for them and what will allow them the fastest and most comfortable recovery time and the best results.”
If you are interested in exploring facial plastic surgery options, please contact Dr. Jay Dutton, The Rhinoplasty Institute of Chicago, at 630-574-8222 or visit www.rhinochicago.com.
Follow Dr. Jay Dutton on Twitter and Instagram: @jayduttonmd or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhinochicago.
