8720 Stony Point Parkway, Suite 100 Richmond, VA 23235

Deciding to get plastic surgery is usually a long process that involves a lot of thought and research, and some people think about it for years before taking action. It can feel like an emotional rollercoaster from the initial consultation to the final result, with feelings of nervousness, anxiety, excitement, depression, and satisfaction ebbing and flowing throughout the entire process. However, knowing how to prepare for the process of recovering from plastic surgery emotionally can help. Some procedures take several months to manifest full results and it’s perfectly normal to feel a wide range of emotions during that time.

Emotions After Plastic Surgery

Even a top plastic surgeon in Richmond, like Dr. Gregory Lynam of Richmond Surgical Arts, will tell you that there’s no guarantee of what you will or will not feel once your procedure is complete. Every person and procedure is unique, but some common feelings after cosmetic surgery to prepare for during the timeline of recovering from plastic surgery are:

  • 3-5 Days After Surgery: It’s important to rest as much as possible, which means ample time to think, doubt, and wonder if your procedure was a good idea.
  • 1-3 Weeks After Surgery: Results will start to show and you may get anxious thinking that you don’t recognize yourself.
  • 3 Weeks-3 Months After Surgery: Your body is still adjusting to the changes and you may think you’ve made a huge mistake, wondering if you’ll ever be satisfied.
  • 3-6 Months After Surgery: You’ll be adjusted, your results will look more natural than ever, and you’ll have a newfound confidence. You’ll be so happy you made a change.

Recovering From Plastic Surgery in a Healthy Way

The vast majority of patients are delighted with their results once they’ve recovered, but do experience doubts and worries before they get there. Talk to your surgeon about what to expect and make sure that you’re on the same page about realistic results. Additionally, it’s a good idea to get yourself excited by planning new outfits to wear, writing yourself a letter about why you made the change, and looking at old pictures to reassure your decision. Make recovering from plastic surgery an enjoyable experience by planning to read a great book or binge watch your favorite television series.

Top Plastic Surgeon in Richmond

Studies show that factors influencing patient satisfaction are influenced greatly by the quality of the plastic surgeon. Dr. Gregory Lynam, one of the top plastic surgeons in Richmond, can help you prepare for a successful recovery by helping you set realistic expectations and reassuring you when needed. He provides his patients with answers, a positive experience, and fantastic results.

Dr. Gregory T. Lynam

Dr. Gregory T. Lynam is Richmond's only board-certified plastic and maxillofacial surgeon. He has helped numerous people within the community tumor surgeries, breast reconstructions, and facial trauma surgeries.

Dr. Lynam was voted one of Richmond's "Top Docs" in plastic surgery and one of Richmond's "Best Plastic Surgeons to take you back 20 years" by Richmond Magazine in 2010. Additionally, he is known as an expert plastic surgeon on RealSelf and was honored as one of the Top 100 Doctors on RealSelf in 2013.

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