Southern Californians love their pets. When they are considering plastic surgery it is easy to overlook how their pets will affect their recovery. Dr. Kim routinely performs procedures such as breast augmentation, abdominoplasty, and liposuction. Although each may have some variance concerning specific recovery instructions, one common instruction involves over exertion and keeping incisions clean and dry. Pets, mainly dogs can interfere with this instruction. For example, if a recent surgery patient has a large dog that pulls and is difficult for the patient to handle this can cause a serious problem. Breast augmentation patients could cause the breast implants to become displaced. Abdominoplasty patients could interfere with the healing of their incision. Obviously, keeping pets away from incisions that are healing(no licking or contact) will help to avoid infection. Patients should plan for alternative care for their pets while they are recovering from plastic surgery. Pets overall are good for your health. According to The Los Angeles Times there are obvious pluses and minuses to living with pets, not only with respect to your happiness and housekeeping, but also with respect to your health. Here’s a sampling of some of what scientists know about how pets can affect your physiological and psychological well-being — the good, bad and downright gruesome.
