Frequently Asked Questions

Contrary to popular belief, the season of your surgery doesn't matter. The healing phase and scar recovery typically take a year. During this time, scars will initially be red and firm, but this will gradually fade over the months. Because healing takes so long, the season of your surgery doesn't determine the final result. It's especially important that the procedure fits into your personal schedule—think work, childcare, or vacations.

• Local anesthesia : Only the area to be treated is numbed. You will remain awake and can often go home immediately after the procedure.

• General anesthesia : You'll be completely asleep for a while. This option is used for larger or longer procedures. Recovery often takes a little longer, and you'll be closely monitored until you're allowed to go home.

The appropriate anesthesia depends on the type of procedure, your health, and personal preference. This will always be discussed beforehand.

In principle, yes. Even on the day of surgery, if you need to fast, you can take your usual medications with a sip of water. There are exceptions, such as blood thinners – these usually need to be stopped a week before the procedure. This is always done in consultation with the doctor who prescribed the medication. So always consult your doctor in advance if you are taking any medication.

Recovery varies from person to person, depending on the type of surgery, and depending on your work or social activities. Some people are presentable again after a few days, while others experience swelling or bruising for longer. Typical guidelines:

If you work from home or have little social contact, you can often return to work more quickly. If you have a lot of customer contact or want to avoid making your surgery visible, plan for more recovery time.

Taking it easy is important, but complete rest is not the goal. You should avoid strenuous exercise for the first two weeks after surgery, but it's important to stay active to reduce the risk of thrombosis. Think of short walks or light exercise around the house. You can usually resume exercising responsibly after two to six weeks, depending on the type of surgery.

After some procedures (such as liposuction, breast or tummy tucks) it is important to wear a compression suit or a firm sports bra:

• Weeks 1–2 : Wear it as much as possible, preferably day and night. It's wise to remove the garment twice a day (for 30–60 minutes), for example, after showering. This promotes blood circulation to the skin and the wound area.

• Weeks 2–6 : Continue wearing it as much as possible, but you can alternate wearing it during the day. If you have trouble sleeping at night, you can take it off temporarily. If more swelling returns, wear it regularly again.

Is the standard compression suit uncomfortable? Or would you like a second suit? You can also find firm, shapewear alternatives at HEMA or lingerie stores, for example.

Scars take time. They're often red and somewhat stiff for the first 4–6 months, but this usually improves gradually. After about a year, the scar has generally "settled down." It becomes softer, paler, and less noticeable. A scar will never disappear completely, but it can eventually become barely visible.

In the meantime, you can camouflage scars with a cream once the skin has closed and healed. Important: Scars are sensitive to UV light during the first year. Protect them well from the sun and tanning beds – cover them up or use sunscreen.