Preparing for Surgery

Surgery can feel daunting, but getting your body ready can make a big difference in your recovery. Here’s how:

   •   Follow Your Surgeon’s Plan: Stick to the guidelines they provide, including when to stop
eating or drinking before surgery.

   •   Boost Your Fitness: Even a short period of light exercise—like walking or yoga and pilates or a dance class —can improve circulation, lung function, and overall recovery. Preparing can
reduce risks of complications like blood clots or infections.

How Your Wound Heals

Healing is a natural, step-by-step process your body goes through after surgery.

Here’s what happens:
1. Homeostasis (Right After Surgery)
Your body acts fast! Blood vessels constrict to stop bleeding, and a clot forms to protect the
wound.

2. Inflammatory Phase (Day 1-5)
      •   The clot hardens into a scab.
      •   White blood cells clean up debris and fight infection.
      •   This phase focuses on controlling inflammation and protecting the wound.

3. Debridement (Overlaps with Inflammation)
      •   Dead tissue is removed.

      •   Your body creates the perfect environment for tissue repair.

4. Proliferative Phase (Day 4 to 4 Weeks)
      •   New cells replace damaged ones, and the wound starts to repair.
      •   The scab falls off as fresh skin forms.
      •   Treatments that promote tissue growth can improve healing and minimize scarring.

5. Remodelling Phase (Weeks to Months)
      •   Your scar continues to strengthen as collagen knits together.
      •   Regular moisturizing, massage, and movement keep the area elastic and healthy

A scar is never too old to treat!

Contact me to find out about scar therapy and to book your next
session.