Emphasis on Safety & After Care

A cosmetic surgery procedure is one of the most uplifting ways to get the body you want. And just as it’s important to take aftercare seriously with non-elective surgery, it’s also vital to take care after aesthetic procedures. For a patient, it’s important to have a clear picture of the benefits and risks of the procedure, so you know what to expect. Knowing how to care for your treatment area is also a vital part of the recovery process. Ensuring patient safety is a priority at Harley Surgery, so we provide every patient with written and verbal advice to make sure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible.

Dr Riccardo Frati informs his patients of the details of every surgery, down to the last detail. This includes information about the risks involved, expected recovery time, instructions for medication, post-operative wound care, and scar management. Call 020 3633 2619 to speak to us about the surgical procedure you’re interested in, or 020 3633 2619 for non-surgical procedures. Alternatively, you can connect with us online to inquire about a personal consultation at our Harley Street location or Manchester location.

Communication is Key

Effective communication between doctor and patient is essential in the run-up to an aesthetic procedure. The three main goals of doctor-patient communication are:

• Creating a good interpersonal relationship
• Facilitating the exchange of information
• Including patients in decision-making ⁽¹⁾

It’s always good to share any questions or concerns you may have about your treatment when you visit your doctor. Dr Frati stresses that there is no question too insignificant, and welcomes patient input regarding any aspect of their treatment. Speaking at length about the procedure helps doctor and patient form a strong line of communication, allowing for the most efficient, most successful treatment.

Common Patient Questions

Protect Your Investment

Whether it’s liposuction or rhinoplasty, a breast lift or a breast reduction, procedures to alter the body can involve a significant investment of time and money. Every surgery has specific instructions to follow to avoid any unnecessary risks or complications. Being well-informed about your treatment is one of the best ways to be prepared, ensure you have a smooth recovery and get the fantastic, lasting results you want. Therefore, receiving the most accurate information regarding your surgery, and getting sound after-care advice, can ensure you protect the results you worked so hard to get!

Cosmetic Surgery Safety

As with any surgical procedure, there are always risks involved. Dr Frati emphasises the importance of patient education and research before they undergo any cosmetic procedure. Surgeons in the United Kingdom go through many years of medical training to ensure you have the safest, most beneficial surgical experience. As each procedure varies in its aims and scope, there is no “one-size-fits-all” avenue for research. Therefore, patients must be prepared to work with their surgeon and with the resources they have at home to find out as much as they can about the specific procedure they want to undergo.

BAAPS Safety Guidelines

Studies indicate that, on average, plastic surgery patients have a lower incidence of in-hospital adverse events than other surgeries. ⁽²⁾ Despite these reassuring statistics, it’s always good to have a clear understanding of your treatment, and what’s expected of you well before your procedure date. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has released a 14 point safety guide for patients:

Aftercare for Cosmetic Procedures

Knowing what to expect after your surgery is an important part of the treatment process, especially for cosmetic procedures. On occasion, patients may overestimate their capabilities after treatment and underestimate the importance of following aftercare instructions closely.

Resting Up

It’s important to give yourself adequate time to recover after your surgery. This may mean a few days of bed rest, taking the necessary amount of time off from work, waiting to drive a vehicle, and limiting strenuous activities. Dr Frati may ask you to refrain from running or exercising at the gym, lifting heavy loads, or straining. In some cases, he may ask you to arrange help at home from a friend or family member in the first 24-48 hours.

Prescriptions

Many cosmetic surgeries require prescription medication to manage pain and discomfort. Dr Frati will ask you to pick up your prescriptions from the chemist in the days before your surgery. It is extremely important you take these medications exactly as prescribed. If you have any questions about medication management, please get in touch with us.

Staying Healthy

Refraining from smoking after your cosmetic surgery is essential. The chemicals in cigarettes and vapes constrict blood vessels, depriving the treatment area of much-needed blood supply. Studies confirm that smoking is significantly associated with a higher risk of 30-day postoperative complications compared with not smoking, higher post-surgery infection rates, pain after surgery, and slower healing. ⁽⁴⁾⁽⁵⁾

Compression Garments

Some surgeries will require you to wear a compression garment during the healing process. Compression garments provide stability to the treatment area and hold the site together while you recover. Please follow your individualised guidance on how long to wear your compression garment each day.

Hygiene & Wound Care

Dr Frati will tell you how best to clean and look after your surgical sites. Bathing and cleaning the area without the proper directions could lead to pain and even infection, so it’s vital you follow the hygiene instructions carefully. If you require further guidance regarding wound care, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Diet & Exercise

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly is important for your body to heal effectively. Staying hydrated, eating fruit and leafy green vegetables, eating food high in protein, and taking appropriate dietary supplements are all proven ways to help patients recover from surgery. ⁽⁶⁾ Although you may have to take a few days and weeks to rest immediately after your procedure, you should plan to return to daily exercise as soon as Dr Frati gives you the all-clear.

Scar Management

Dr Frati conceals incision points discreetly for minimal scarring and skin discolouration. He may give you more information about the most effective ways to minimise the appearance of scars such as the use of hydrating topicals like Bio-Oil and silicone scar sheets.

Patient Considerations

Before any cosmetic procedure, patients should be open and honest about any prior surgeries they have had, any prior illness, and any current conditions or activities that may affect their surgical outcomes. Please read and make sure that you understand all preoperative and postoperative instructions in advance of your treatment date, so there are no surprises. It may help you to record information in a diary and write down questions or concerns so you can discuss them later with our team. At Harley Surgery, your health is our number one priority, and we want to ensure the entire process is an uplifting, worthwhile experience!

When to Call a Healthcare Professional

If you are experiencing an adverse reaction to a surgical or non-surgical treatment, please contact us immediately. Signs of infection that require prompt intervention include:

For information outside of our office hours, call NHS 111 non-emergency line, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In any emergency situation, please dial 999.

Personal Consultation

Dr Frati invites each of his patients to meet with him in person to discuss their surgery goals. An individual consultation is one of the best ways to form a good doctor/patient relationship and gives both parties an opportunity to speak in-depth about forming the best treatment plan. We will ask you to fill out some information regarding your medical history, and Dr Frati may perform a physical examination. Once he has considered all the relevant information, if your chosen procedure is a good fit, he will schedule your date for surgery.

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in London

Your cosmetic procedure at Harley Surgery will depend on a number of factors. We will draw up an individualised estimate of the cost of services after you have arranged your initial meeting with Dr Frati. If you’re ready to book your consultation, please call 020 3633 2619, or fill out our online form for further information.

Join Dr Frati and over 250,000 followers of Harley Surgery on Instagram to see the results you can achieve! You can also find out more about elective cosmetic procedures for the face, breasts, and body in London and Manchester by reading our blog.

References

1. Ha JF, Longnecker N. Doctor-patient communication: a review. The Ochsner journal. 2010;10(1):38-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096184/ 
2. Hernandez-Boussard T, McDonald KM, Rhoads KF, Curtin CM. Patient Safety in Plastic Surgery. Annals of Plastic Surgery. 2015;74(5):597-602. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4886543/ 
3. British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Consumer Safety Guidelines. baaps.org.uk. Published 2022. Accessed July 20, 2022. https://www.baaps.org.uk/patients/safety_in_surgery/consumer_safety_guidelines.aspx 
4. Yoshikawa R, Katada J. Effects of active smoking on postoperative outcomes in hospitalised patients undergoing elective surgery: a retrospective analysis of an administrative claims database in Japan. BMJ Open. 2019;9(10):e029913. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6797353/#:~:text=Smoking%20was%20significantly%20associated%20with,1.39%2C%20p%3D0.002). 
5. Bottorff JL, Seaton CL, Lamont S. Patients’ awareness of the surgical risks of smoking: Implications for supporting smoking cessation. Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien. 2015;61(12):e562-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4677959/ 
6. Panse N, Sathe V, Sahasrabudhe P, Joshi N. Diet, wound healing and plastic surgery. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2013;46(01):161-163. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3745116/ 
7. Montrief T, Bornstein K, Ramzy M, Koyfman A, Long BJ. Plastic Surgery Complications: A Review for Emergency Clinicians. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2020;21(6):179-189. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7673892/