People want to know how soon they can return resume exercise and prior activity. This is true after stitches after a fall, reconstructive hand surgery, aesthetic surgery, or even lip injections 😉 Here is a peak into my thought process of how I answer the question.
There is a cost to taking a time out of life.
Regardless of the specific situation and procedure, people want need to spend time with their friends, feel a part of the team, and go back to work. The purpose of recuperation is to improve life, not to put it on hold forever.
How likely are you to affect the results?
Stitches After a Fall
I have yet to see somebody pull a laceration open after I have stitched it up.
Reconstructive Hand Surgery
I have seen people affect a tendon repair by returning to activity to soon.
Aesthetic Surgery
Strenuous activity in the first days after breast implant surgery increases the risk of bleeding, which may require additional surgery.
Lip Injections
Massaging the lips in the first day after injections may lead to swelling.
Is this a friendly scrimmage or the final match?
Stitches After a Fall
Activity is not necessarily binary. A child who wants to return to practice may do stretches and coordination drills before resuming competitive play.
Reconstructive Hand Surgery
Severe hand injuries often occur at work… construction workers, labors, and machinists are at high risk. A tendon laceration may keep a construction worker out of work for months, while an accountant could resume work shortly after surgery. Furthermore, severe hand injuries may alter the lifetime earning power of a manual laborer.
Aesthetic Surgery
Adults have various responsibilities – work, taking care of children. We want you to have the best experience possible, so planning your other responsibilities is important.
Lip Injections:
A peck on the cheek may be ok the day of lip injections – but take it easy! I will let you extrapolate regarding further guidelines. 😉
Does your NFL career depend on tomorrow’s game?
Stitches After a Fall
I have yet to encounter this specific situation, but I would probably use a couple extra re-enforcing sutures, tell you to play your heart out, and call me afterwards if we have to redo the laceration repair. Oh, and you are selected as the game’s most valuable player, we would celebrate.
Aesthetic Surgery
Please do not plan your aesthetic surgery the week before a major event in your life. It will cause us all unnecessary stress.
Lip Injections
I have yet to have somebody to have their lip injections the day before their NFL game, but I am certain, one day it will happen.
