Question: I have seen ads for cosmetic surgery where you can recover at a spa or resort immediately after the surgery. Are these facilities safe?
Answer: The people in charge of marketing these places and some physicians minimize the complexity of cosmetic surgical procedures, as well as the post-operative recovery. By doing this, they hope to entice patients to their facilities by making surgeries seem effortless and painless.
The more complicated procedures such as facelifts, tummy tucks, breast reductions, and those having multiple procedures, may require overnight observation. This can improve the post-operative recovery and allow the patient and the family to get some needed rest that first night after surgery without worrying about drains, bandages and pain. Physicians and nurses are readily available with all the appropriate medicine, instruments and supplies, should a rare emergency arise requiring immediate intervention.
It is my opinion that patients who require overnight or longer observation need a medical facility, not a spa or resort. Let’s face it; this luxury treatment isn’t free or even cheap. Its intended purpose is to pamper and comfort the patient, but in reality it is impossible to appreciate, much less enjoy a luxurious room, a beautiful view, or gourmet cuisine when you are wrapped and swollen, bruised, dealing with some pain and hopefully, sleeping 90% of the time. The ultimate comfort comes in the knowledge that your post-operative care is provided by a facility that follows strict hospital coding laws and offers immediate physician and nursing care.
Personally, I wouldn’t even have a root canal and want to check into a spa for a massage and French cuisine dinner immediately following the procedure, let alone major cosmetic surgery. My suggestion is to save your money and enjoy a posh resort or spa after you have healed adequately and can enjoy the experience with your new face and/or body.
