summer

There is nothing like long summer days spent on the beach to make you wish for a flatter tummy, a curvier butt, a more pronounced waistline or a more enticing cleavage. While everyone is strolling about in tiny bikinis covering close to nothing, many of us start to wonder if a little bit of plastic surgery could help us look and feel better, ready to take on the fun side of the summer months. Then the research begins, we look into what type of procedure would be best for us, who do we want to perform our plastic surgery and what are the associated risks and possible complications we might encounter. We think of the smallest detail, including who will drive us home after the procedure and what type of underwear will we be wearing following the operation. However, an important question is sometimes missed by even the most eager of prospective plastic surgery patients – when is the best time to do our surgery? Which season compliments our recovery best? Is it important when we book our procedure or is the plastic surgery experience pretty much the same all year around? As it turns out it is worth considering when to have your procedure scheduled and in fact the winter months are considered to be the best time to undergo cosmetic procedures.

Why is it better to undergo plastic surgery procedures in winter rather than summer?

Of course it is possible to undergo plastic surgery procedures during the summer months and the results of surgery will be just as rewarding as in the winter. There are many aspects that need to be considered for a successful procedure and choosing the time to do it might be fairly low down on the importance list. However, the main reason for summer not being the best time for plastic surgery is the convenience factor. All procedures involve a post-work recovery plan which is often much easier to stick to in the winter than during the sweltering heat of summer. Bandages, compression wear and other special undergarments worn by patients following surgery can get fairly hot and sweaty and it is much more pleasant to wear them in cold weather. Also, cold weather calls for comfortable loose sweaters and long sleeves which make it easier to discreetly conceal bandages or compression wear. Recovering and recuperating after a procedure takes time and in the winter months people are more likely to stay indoors anyway, making recovery time less stressful as there is no need to turn down social calls or summer party invitations. Another great advantage of winter over summer is the relatively low intensity of the winter sun. While in the summer long days in the blazing UV rays are almost unavoidable, winter months give our skin a much needed rest from sun damage. Skin rejuvenating and skin resurfacing procedures such as laser rejuvenation or microdermabrasion are much safer during the winter as UV rays are less likely to cause damage to the sensitive post-treatment skin.

If for whatever reasons patients still need to undergo their plastic surgery procedure during the summer period there are a few things that can help the recovery process. Minimizing bruising and discoloration is only possible if patients follow the post-procedure instructions as closely as they can. Cold compresses and bandaging can improve the look of the treated body part while post-work makeup (designed specifically for extra sensitive skin) can help the appearance of facial skin following rejuvenating and resurfacing skin treatments.

Is there an ideal time for plastic surgery procedures?

The best time to schedule a plastic surgery procedure is between September and February. The weather during this time is pleasantly cool and days are becoming shorter, making it the perfect period to book an appointment with your Beverly Hills board-certified plastic surgeon and schedule a bit of me-time. These months are great to avoid the patient traffic that often appears during the spring season in preparation for summer. In fact, patients who undergo their procedure during winter are most likely to be fully recovered and enjoying the full effect of their transformation by the time summer arrives.

Is the time of year really that important?

Though the timing of any plastic surgery procedure is worth considering, it’s mainly to do with the patient’s comfort and ease of recovery. It is equally possible to be safe and achieve beautiful results in the summer, winter months are simply more suited for plastic surgery procedures. As always, the single most important factor to the outcome of your procedure is the experience and knowledge of your surgeon. Board-certified Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Warren Lent has extensive experience in a variety of plastic surgery procedures, aiming for the most aesthetically pleasing results while placing equal importance on the safety and comfort of the patient. Dr. Warrant Lent is an excellent choice if considering plastic surgery, be it during the toasty fun-filled days of summer or the cozy, festive months of winter.