Falcon Plastic Surgery is here to provide our hand surgery patients with tips to help them recover from any hand procedure. After all, we understand that hand surgery can be a complicated and painful process. This process can often involve difficult recovery times, and we know that returning to work or everyday life can be a daunting task.

Know What to Expect

Before undergoing any hand surgery, make sure you know what to expect. What is the recovery time? Will you be placed in a cast? Will you need physical therapy? If so, how long will it last?

While recovery times can vary depending on your surgeon’s technique as well as the type of surgery performed, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time off and not fixate on healing at a pre-determined rate. In many cases, we recommend patients should plan on at least four weeks of recovery time for various hand procedures.

Keep Your Hands Clean and Dry

Prevent infection and bacterial growth by washing your hands regularly, though not aggressively. Follow all of Dr. Falcon’s instructions when it comes to hygiene following your hand surgery to keep any incisions safe and dry.

Elevate Your Hands

To help reduce swelling in the hands, Dr. Falcon will likely recommend keeping the hands elevated during recovery, which can be difficult as people’s natural tendency is to let them rest below the level of their elbows.

Take Pain Killers

Painkillers are beneficial in the recovery process after hand surgery. They help reduce pain and make recovery easier. These painkillers include aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Dr. Falcon will instruct you on which types of over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers are right for your unique surgical plan.

Avoid Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can put you at risk for developing infections after hand surgery. After all, alcohol is a solvent and very hard on the liver, recovering from surgery.

Avoid Smoking

Similarly, smoking after hand surgery can be dangerous, as it can cause infections to develop or increase rates of skin irritation. Smoking can also slow down the healing process.

Don’t Stress

You know that your post-op period is going to be difficult. It’s natural to worry. We get it. However, don’t stress over how long you’ll take to heal or if you’ll be able to return to work. Healing is a natural process, and you will be back at work in no time!

Take It Easy

If possible, take it easy for the first couple of weeks after surgery. Trying to rush through this process can lead to complications and can increase inflammation.

Get Support

It’s important to seek out post-operative support in the form of physical therapy, massage therapy, or hands-on help from your doctor. These are wonderful resources that can make the recovery process following any hand surgery much easier.

Ask Your Doctor

You should be sure to ask Dr. Falcon what to expect during the recovery process after hand surgery. He can provide the most accurate expectations of how long recovery typically takes, as well as any common complications.

Avoid Pulling at Your Skin

You should avoid pulling at your skin, to avoid putting undue stress on incision sites. You may not feel that everything is healing properly, but that’s perfectly normal for the recovery period. Instead of pulling, rubbing, or itching, relax and continue to care for your hands gently.

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Having hand surgery can be a complicated process. It can take weeks for your skin to heal, so you need to be patient and kind to yourself during this period. The tips provided here are designed to help you along the way with any hand surgery recovery.

Falcon Plastic Surgery is a full-service plastic surgeon located in Monroeville and Natrona Heights. Dr. Christopher Falcon, a board-certified plastic surgeon, specializes in hand surgery and aesthetics. For more information, please feel free to call 724.226.3900 or contact us online today.