4 Benefits of Scheduling Your Plastic Surgery During Winter

Plastic surgery has the potential to change your looks subtly or dramatically, but the results aren’t instant. You need to plan time for researching your options, selecting a physician, scheduling the procedure, and recovering. So, if you have a special occasion coming up, work backward from that date to account for each phase of the process.

At Frederick H. Watkins, MD, in McLean, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland, our most popular season for plastic surgery procedures is winter. Here, Dr. Watkins explains why.

Realistic plastic surgery timeframe

Whether you want to smooth the bump on your nose, fill out your bra more amply, or flatten your tummy, you have several things to consider before you get the work done. Every procedure is different and can take a couple of hours or half a day, depending on the scope and goals of the surgery. You also need to factor in recovery time.

Here’s an idea of what to expect from some of our most popular plastic surgery procedures in terms of downtime and when you’ll see your final results.

• Breast augmentation: 3-5 days downtime; results in 3 months
• Breast lift: 3-6 days downtime; results in 3 months
• Tummy tuck: 10 days downtime; results in 6-8 months
• Liposuction: 2-4 days downtime; results in 2-3 months
• Eyelid surgery: 1-2 days downtime; results in 2 weeks
• Face-lift: 4-6 days downtime; results in 3-6 months

This is just a sample of the comprehensive services Dr. Watkins offers to help you refine your face and body. 

Find the right surgeon

Choosing a surgeon takes time, and you’ll build a relationship with your surgeon and their team, so don’t rush your search. Of course, we’d love you to choose Dr. Watkins, but above all, we want you to be safe and satisfied. 

Start by asking friends or coworkers about their experiences with plastic surgeons, but don’t take their advice blindly. A recommendation is a good place to start, but you may have different needs and criteria than your friend. 

Next, check the surgeon’s credentials. They should be board-certified, highly trained, and experienced. Also, visit the facility to ensure you’ll be comfortable in the surgical environment. 

Pay attention to the surgeon’s style. Review before-and-after shots of their past patients to get a feel for the results. Ask questions during your consultation to get a sense of your surgeon’s personality and how they communicate. Trust is essential in the patient-surgeon relationship.

Why get plastic surgery in the winter?

After you’ve selected your surgeon, it’s time to schedule your procedure. Here are some reasons to consider getting your procedure now, during the winter.

1. Cozy recuperation

The cold winter months are made for taking it easy indoors. Since you’ll need to avoid strenuous activity for several weeks, there’s no better time than winter for staying in and relaxing with a good book. 

2. Winter clothes 

As the temperature drops, you pull out your scarves and parkas — perfect for hiding compression garments and bandages as you recover.

3. Beat the rush

Those who don’t plan ahead often clamor to schedule their plastic surgery procedures in the spring and summer when they realize they want to shed their layers and show off their bodies. By scheduling in the winter, you can beat the procrastinators and be fully healed come summer.

4. Built-in downtime

Although you may feel like going back to work a few days after your procedure, many people take 1-2 weeks before they feel comfortable going out in public. The holiday season comes with built-in long weekends and days off, so you can minimize PTO.

Schedule plastic surgery now

If you’re considering plastic surgery, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Watkins, our board-certified surgeon. Get to know his philosophy, meet our team, and check out our facilities. We’re here to answer all your questions. Contact us by calling our office most convenient to you or using our online consultation request tool to schedule your visit this winter.