Bridal Blueprint | June 2022 Newsletter
Posted June 02, 2022
Each spring as wedding season approaches, the phone calls begin to come in inquiring about surgical and non-surgical options to prepare for the big day. Often, the calls come from men and women who have been thinking about plastic surgery, and their upcoming wedding is simply the catalyst that brings them in to speak with a plastic surgeon.
By planning and setting a schedule that will anticipate some of your beauty and health needs you can rest assured that your wedding day will be nothing less than spectacular.
Patients are encouraged to research their doctors and we have included on the Bellissimo website a checklist for questions to ask and credentials to verify before selecting a surgeon. Reviews and credentials are important but interviewing your surgeon also gives you an understanding of their personal philosophy and bedside manner. It is important to feel comfortable talking with your doctor to ensure that you are both aligned in your cosmetic goals.
The Bridal Blueprint is a list of the most common procedures along with some recommended timelines as to when they should be done.
Female Bridal Party and Guests
Skincare: Skincare should be started a minimum of 3 months prior to the wedding date. This will allow enough time to correct sun damage, color differences, and texture issues. You may experience redness, peeling, or irritated skin as the products begin to address and correct specific problems. Try to avoid new products during the month prior to the event. Skincare may also be done in conjunction with Neurotoxins such as Botox or Dysport, Dermal Fillers, CO2 lasers, or microneedling.
Non-Surgical Treatments:
Botox/Dysport: A neuromuscular toxin can be used to treat wrinkles that develop above the forehead, between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and around the mouth. They typically weaken the muscles that cause those wrinkles. Plan to have your treatment done 1 month prior to the wedding date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or if there are any touch-ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Dermal Fillers: Dermal fillers can be used to add volume or smooth and contour areas of the face. Allow 3-4 weeks prior to the event for maximum effect of the injectable filler. This also provides enough time for any touch-ups that may be needed post-injection. Any swelling or bruising should be resolved within 1-2 weeks of the procedure.
Skincare and non-surgical procedures can be used together to enhance surgical results.
Surgical Procedures:
Breast Augmentation: A Breast augmentation is a safe and effective way of creating or restoring volume and shape to a woman’s breast. After surgery, patients will wear a sports bra 3-4 weeks before transitioning to a regular bra. Although women are post-operatively back to full activity and look great at approximately 6 weeks, an augmentation procedure is recommended 3-6 months prior to the wedding day. This ensures that your body has time to heal and look its best. It also provides you with enough time to allow for final garment alterations.
Liposuction: Liposuction is the most effective way to contour areas of the body that are resistant to diet and exercise with minimal downtime. Common areas include the neck, arms, hips, thighs, calves, abdomen, ankles, and back. A patient may be back to work several days post-operatively, but they will have to wear a compression garment for approximately 3 weeks. This is gradually transitioned out of after 3 weeks and worn only during the day or during exercise. Patients will have residual bruising and swelling that may take 3-4 weeks to resolve.
Face Lift surgery: A Face Lift procedure targets the aging of the lower half of the face and neck area. These procedures typically require a 1–2-week downtime before a person is out in public and a 3-week downtime before they are ready for exercise. Bruising is minimal and resolved within 2 weeks. Pain is mild and patients rarely use a pain medication for more than 2-3 days. The incisions remain a light pink for approximately 6-8 weeks but can easily be covered and blended with make-up within 2 weeks post-operatively. A Face Lift procedure should be done 2-3 months prior to an event date to allow for adequate healing.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Rejuvenating a patient’s eyes has a significant effect on their appearance as well as their self-esteem. Patients look more rested, younger, and their eyes appear much as they did in previous years. Eyelids may be done separately or combined with a Face Lift procedure. Patients are required to rest post-operatively with their heads elevated for the first few days. Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume exercising within 3 weeks. Makeup can be applied within the first two weeks. Mild swelling and bruising may be associated with the procedure but typically resolves within 1-2 weeks. An eyelid procedure should be scheduled a minimum of 2-3 months prior to the event date.
Breast Surgery: This can include an Augmentation, Breast Lift, or Breast Reduction. For many women, the effects of the natural aging process, pregnancy, and weight loss can be profound on the volume and skin of their breasts. All these procedures require a sports bra to be worn post-operatively for 3 weeks. There is minimal pain and typically swelling and bruising are resolved within 2-3 weeks. All three of these procedures are well healed by 6 weeks but allowing enough time for alterations is important so plan 2-3 months prior to the event date.
Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): This procedure is designed to re-contour and rejuvenate the abdominal wall. It requires approximately 2-3 weeks of downtime. Drains are routinely used to remove normal, postoperative fluids in the first 1-2 weeks. Patients wear a supportive abdominal binder for approximately 3 weeks and then transition out of it for the next 2 weeks. Exercise and most activities are resumed by 3 weeks. A Tummy tuck procedure should be done 4-6 months prior to the date to allow sufficient healing prior to the event date and time for any clothing alterations.
Male Bridal Party and Guests
Skincare: Most men may not be thinking of their skin when grooming, however, texture and pigment can be addressed with great results to refresh and rejuvenate their appearance. Skincare is an important step and not only includes cleanser and moisturizer but also, more importantly, sunscreen. Skincare products should be started at least 3 months prior to the event date. Men should be cautioned to avoid new products or treatments during the month prior as they may have irritated, red, or flaky skin at the beginning of treatment.
Neurotoxin: This is a simple, effective way to create a refreshed look by softening harsh lines across the forehead and between the eyebrows. For the younger man, it corrects the stern, older appearance that the lines may create. Plan to have your treatment done 1 month prior to your event date. This will allow time for the maximum effect and/or any touch-ups that may be needed. This also allows time for any residual bruising or swelling to resolve.
Liposuction: For younger men, the most common areas sought after are the chest, abdomen, and “love handles”. These are areas that may be resistant to the effects of exercise and healthy eating. All surgical areas require a compression garment to be worn post-operatively. This is gradually transitioned out of after 3 weeks and worn only during the day or during exercise. There may be mild swelling and bruising that is usually resolved after 3-4 weeks. Most men are back to work within several days and all activities within 2-3 weeks. Surgery should be done 3 months prior to the event date to allow for adequate healing time.
Gynecomastia: This procedure addresses the excess fatty or breast tissue found on a male chest. It can range from mild to significant. It can sometimes be treated with simple excision or liposuction but sometimes will need a combination of liposuction and direct excision depending upon the severity. A compression garment is worn for approximately 3 weeks and no exercise for 3 weeks. Most men are back to work within the week depending upon their job requirements, it may be longer if the job is more physical in nature. Surgery should be done a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to the event date.
Face Lift: Facelifts for men are becoming increasingly popular over the years. Realizing that being healthier and staying in shape does not slow down the external signs of aging in the face, many men have started to address laxity in the skin under the chin and neck area, deepening of the lines at the corners of the mouth and thinning of the cheeks. The goal of a facelift is to produce a natural, rested look without any telltale signs of a surgical procedure. Incisions are around the ears but slightly different than those used for a woman due to the beard pattern. Facial procedures usually require a 1–2-week downtime before a person is out in public and a 3-week downtime before they are ready for exercise. Bruising is minimal and resolved within 2 weeks. Pain is mild and patients rarely use pain medication for more than 2-3 days. The incisions remain a light pink for approximately 6-8 weeks. A facelift procedure should be scheduled 3 months prior to the event date for optimal healing.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty): Eyes are typically the first thing noticed with aging as they can make a person look tired and older. Men generally feel their eyes age them. Eyelids may be done separately or combined with a Face Lift procedure. Patients are required to rest post-operatively with their heads elevated for the first few days. Most patients return to work within 1-2 weeks and resume exercising within 3 weeks. Mild swelling and bruising may be associated with the procedure but typically resolves within 1-2 weeks. An eyelid procedure should be scheduled a minimum of 2-3 months prior to the event date.
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