Recovering through the holidays: How to plan surgery around a busy season

Fall is often a popular time to schedule plastic surgery, and for good reason. A patient may have PTO time to burn before the end of the year, giving them ample time to recover. It also gives patients time to heal and settle in before showing off optimal results at family events and upcoming holiday gatherings.

The issue is that planning recovery during the holiday rush or before any major life event can present its own set of challenges. The lead-up to the holidays can be extremely stressful and may lead to habits or behaviors that derail your recovery, leaving you feeling worn down instead of glowing and party-ready. Planning surgery around a busy season doesn't have to be hard, but it does need to be strategic.

ASPS Member Surgeons Katerina Gallus, MD, FACS, Brian Pinsky, MD, FACS, and Jeffrey Roth, MD, FACS, offer practical advice and tips to help patients recover over the holidays.

Is now the right time for recovery?

The holiday season can seem like the perfect time to plan a surgical procedure. Patients may have PTO time they need to take before the end of the year, which, butted up next to the numerous calendar holidays, can give them the time off they need to heal. This "built-in" recovery time is a big reason patients choose the fall and winter months for plastic surgery procedures.

Many patients also choose this time of year because it is ripe with Kodak moments where they want to look and feel their best. The holiday season typically means more family gatherings, parties and social events with family and friends.

While it may seem like the right time for a procedure, patients should consider a few factors before deciding to move ahead with surgery. The holiday season can be magical, but it can also lead to additional stress and anxiety. Patients should weigh additional demands that could make recovery more challenging, such as travel plans, hosting responsibilities, social events and obligations, work deadlines and the availability of additional help or support

Scheduling surgery around a busy season can work, but it requires careful planning to ensure adequate rest and postoperative care.

Start with the recovery timeline, not the holiday calendar

It's best to start by working backward. Different surgical procedures have different recovery timelines. Recovery can vary from patient to patient, so give yourself plenty of time before the holidays get hectic. Research the specific procedure you are interested in and talk to your plastic surgeon about what to expect in terms of the recovery timeline.

"Patients should research their procedures before the consultation and certainly before scheduling surgery," said Dr. Gallus. "After consultation, your surgeon can give you a more individualized estimate of your recovery timeline; even the same surgery can have a different recovery timeline depending on the patient, what their daily life activities are and what they do for work."

To look picture-perfect before a big event, mark the occasion on your calendar and work backward from that date, keeping your recovery timeline in mind.

"I usually tell people if they're having surgery that they should try to, in an ideal world, plan it about three months ahead of any major life event," said Dr. Pinsky. "Just because that way, you really have recovered from most of the early postoperative timeframe, and small issues that may occur around surgery will likely have resolved by that point."

Feeling better doesn't always mean fully healed. Patients should also keep in mind that it can take time to see optimal results, so building extra time into your holiday surgery timeline can help you look better for your big event instead of puffy or bruised.

"The sooner, the better," said Dr. Roth. "Having appropriate healing time is always important. One can argue it is even more important if you are going to holiday gatherings with friends, family or company people. It's always good to have time on your side, just in case an inconvenient event happens."

Examine your holiday obligations

A good place to start is reviewing your holiday obligations and what this time of year will require. Are you planning a trip and need to factor in travel time? Are you hosting an event and need to cook, clean and decorate? Do you have family coming into town you'll need to prepare for or entertain, or a full calendar of special events and celebrations?

Take time to consider what you'll need to do during this busy, stressful time of year and how that stress and those obligations may affect your surgical plans and recovery. One of the most important pieces of advice is managing your schedule and holiday expectations.

"Don't overschedule," said Dr. Gallus. "Your recovery is a priority, and the holidays can create a need to do it all. Know that everyone is overbooked and overbusy, and you have the perfect reason to take a step back. You don't have to advertise why you are not attending every last event. Most people will understand the feeling, regardless of whether they have had surgery."

Giving yourself permission to step away from holiday obligations isn't just about finding time to rest; it's also about reducing the physical and emotional pressures that can make recovery more challenging.

"I also think if you're pressured to do something that's either physically strenuous or mentally strenuous, it can negatively impact the experience of the healing process for people," said Dr. Pinsky. "So, I think if you give yourself a comfortable lead time, it just takes a lot of the pressure off you to do something or be somewhere. You can focus that attention on yourself, on healing properly and on making the experience more positive. And even that mental stress can really sidetrack your physical recovery as well."

Parents may also want to think about school activities, holiday schedules and whether they will have appropriate childcare or additional support during their recovery period.

Building a recovery-friendly holiday plan

One significant factor patients should consider during recovery and the busy holiday season is whether they will be traveling and what their transportation arrangements will be. To avoid potential complications and ensure a safe journey, patients should avoid scheduling travel too close to their surgery date. When is it safe to fly or travel? That can depend on the surgery and an individual patient's rate of recovery.

"Generally speaking, two weeks is a minimum, and depending on the surgery and the distance traveled, that may be four to six weeks," said Dr. Gallus.

However, it isn't always about whether a patient can physically travel, but whether the timing is appropriate.

"I like patients to be in the area for at least a few weeks after surgery because that way, if there are any problems, they're in proximity, and I can help them through their issues," said Dr. Pinsky. "If you decide to go to Florida, and I'm in New York, and you have a problem, there just isn't much I can do other than to recommend you go to the emergency room. I personally recommend patients avoid major travel for about a month after surgery, if possible."

What is safe and what is comfortable are two different issues. While it may be physically safe to fly or drive long distances, patients should ask themselves whether it will be comfortable and if that matters to them.

If you are going with someone who can help you along the way, great. However, after surgery, patients should be mindful about doing things like lifting suitcases above their heads when storing them in an overhead bin.

For those staying home and playing host for the holidays, keep a few other things in mind to make your recovery and your gathering go a little more smoothly.

"If you're in a situation where you really do need to plan a holiday dinner or something like that within a few weeks after surgery, I think prep would be the most important thing I recommend and try to do as much as you can before surgery in terms of organization, things that you could do to prepare ahead of time," said Dr. Pinsky. "That way, it just takes the stress off you later."

Patients can also enlist the help of family or friends, making the holiday a group effort. Normalize asking for help. Look into catering, meal and grocery delivery options and/or hiring help to cook, clean or decorate. These small things can be taken off your plate, reducing physical and mental stress.

Celebrate without overdoing it

The food is arguably one of the best parts of the holiday season. From giant Thanksgiving meals to cocktail hours and cookie exchanges, there is no shortage of tempting treats. However, overindulging in the season's flavors can throw recovery off track and deprive the body of the hydration and nutrition it desperately needs.

"Your body needs good nutrition to heal," said Dr. Gallus. "Oftentimes, the holidays provide an opportunity for high-calorie foods that are not nutrient-dense and festive cocktails. It is important to keep an eye on your nutritional intake. You don't have to go into total deprivation at the holidays, but be intentional about what you want to splurge on nutritionally and stick to the plan. You will recover faster! Consider what your usual triggers are and avoid them or have a plan in place. If it means bringing healthy options to a party or making the cocktail alcohol-free, thinking it through beforehand can really help in a time when everything seems more hectic."

Finding that balance is especially important during recovery, when seemingly harmless holiday indulgences can contribute to swelling, dehydration and other complications that may slow the healing process.

"It's probably a good idea to avoid foods that can lead to swelling (such as meals or snacks with high salt content)," said Dr. Roth. "Moderate alcohol can increase the side effects of medicines, like antibiotics. Alcohol can affect healing, as it decreases the immune system, delays tissue repair, increases bleeding and swelling, disrupts hormones and can cause dehydration. It is important to have good food for the healing process, not just sugary foods."

Celebrations don't just include delicious food and cocktails. They can also involve late nights. Along with good nutrition and proper hydration, patients should also get a good night's rest during recovery.

"Making sure you're getting adequate sleep," said Dr. Pinsky. "Sleep is very, very powerful and restorative."

Be realistic about your timeframe and the busy Holiday Season

"Plastic surgery is real surgery," said Dr. Roth. "The body will heal on its own timetable. It is important to have realistic expectations of how long it will take to get back to something that resembles normal. It will take a while to get your endurance back. This is especially true if there are any events that prolong healing. That is why it is best to have the procedure as far in advance of the event as possible. Always be in close contact with your board-certified plastic surgeon's office. They will help guide you through the process."

Setting realistic expectations about recovering in time for the holidays can prompt patients to examine some hard truths. Building a recovery-friendly holiday plan may include saying no. Sometimes, a patient may not feel physically or mentally ready for the holidays. It's okay to accept help, skip an event or gathering or say no to hosting.

While you may be excited to flaunt your results, it's also okay to keep things low-key and take more time to focus on yourself. Give yourself permission to put your recovery first.

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.