The Confident Choice Podcast – Episode 4 Part 2 Recovery Dr. Roberto Garcia

Transcript

You’re listening to The Confident Choice Podcast with me, Dr. Roberto Garcia, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Honest conversations and expert advice about the decisions that make you feel your best.

Hey everybody, welcome to Episode Four of The Confident Choice. I’m your host, Dr. Roberto Garcia. Today we’re broadcasting from an outdoor venue. I think it’s pretty nice out — low 80s and sunny. So, for all of you listeners in the Northeast, I’m sorry.

We do want to touch on a few things. We had a great podcast last week with a lot of viewers, a lot of response, and some questions — particularly from patients concerned about what recovery is going to be like from procedures in our field. That’s probably one of the top three questions I get. As I wrap up most consultations, I always try to paint an appropriate picture of what the post-operative course is going to be like.

There is a lot that happens after surgery. For years, I would say, "You’re going to be fantastic. Don’t worry about a thing. You’ll be healed in a week." As I started doing more surgeries, I realized that’s not possible — actually physically impossible. Any procedure that is meaningfully done and intended to have a good long-term result comes with a significant healing period.

Take the aging face, for instance. Aging occurs over a 20–25-year process. It’s physically impossible to turn the clock back 10 or 12 years with a procedure and expect someone to be healed within a week. Any surgeon who tells a patient that is being disingenuous.

The fact of the matter is you are going to have swelling and bruising regardless of the procedure if it’s meaningful — meaning something that will stand the test of time and last a prolonged period.

Patients go through a significant emotional course during the first week. Generally speaking, surgery occurs, the next day is Day One and swelling peaks around Day Three. That’s when patients might complain of pain, but in reality, it’s more tightness and pressure than discomfort.

The human body has about a 72-hour window where you can really influence recovery results. We do a lot during that first week, and our patients are actively involved in their care. We talked last week about active recovery versus passive recovery, and I want to return to that idea.

Active recovery is what happens in the first week. Your body has gone through a shock from surgery, and you’ll experience emotional ups and downs that may make you doubt your decision. That’s normal. I expect that. There may even be moments when patients think I’ve damaged them or made a mistake — and that simply isn’t the case.

During that first week, as swelling peaks and bruising develops, emotional ups and downs are common. Patients may feel discouraged or depressed, and that’s a normal response.

About three years ago, we created something called the Contour Care App. I felt it was revolutionary because it allows us to guide patients closely during that first week after surgery.

Previously, I would perform surgery, see patients the next day, and then say, "I’ll see you in a week." Even with instruction manuals and phone access, it still wasn’t enough. I wanted to create a virtual hand on the shoulder during recovery.

The app provides constant reminders and includes a large library of videos showing daily expectations. This has greatly reduced patient anxiety. I can control the physical aspects of healing, but the emotional component was always more difficult. Now I feel we have a better handle on that, and patients are much happier during that first week.

The timeline for swelling and bruising varies completely by patient and by the condition of the patient at the time of surgery. I’ve had patients return for procedures 10, 15, or 20 years later and heal better than they did before. Healing isn’t about chronological age — it’s about the condition your body is in at the time of surgery.

Today’s patients are often more focused on health and self-improvement, which helps them heal faster and return to work earlier. Patients are more actively involved in aftercare, which makes outcomes better for everyone.

Social recovery is also important. Patients often ask when they can go out with friends or return to normal activities. My answer is whenever you feel confident enough. I jokingly say I release my patients "back into the wild" at around two weeks.

Most of my patients are working professionals who need to return to work in a timely manner. The traditional three-to-five-week recovery isn’t always realistic. Many patients now return to work within about 10 days, and remote work has been a game changer. Being functional again has a huge emotional benefit.

Extended convalescence can have negative psychological effects, so we encourage patients to return to normal life as soon as it’s appropriate.

I’m often asked, "What is normal healing?" The truth is, I don’t know — and that’s coming from someone who has performed over 25,000 surgeries. Every person heals differently. Even the right and left sides of the face can heal differently. We do everything we can during the first month to speed recovery, but ultimately healing depends on your physical condition.

We’ve talked in past episodes about the emotional mindset patients should have before pursuing cosmetic self-improvement. Healing is a process, and uncertainty during recovery is completely expected. Constant communication is one of the biggest reasons for the success our patients experience.

I’ll close with my favorite part of the podcast. Today we’re introducing two basketball gurus to talk about March Madness. Some of you may tune out for the next 30 minutes, but we’re going to have some fun and lighten things up.

An important lesson passed down from my grandfather and father is that there are two major decisions in life: the career you choose and the person you choose to build your life with. Careers may change, but the second decision shapes everything. I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here — or doing this podcast — without the support of my wife.

One day you may not have your career, but you will have that relationship, and that becomes central to happiness.

With that, we’ll be back next week for Episode Five, where we’ll discuss what "natural results" really mean in facial plastic surgery. Thank you for listening, and remember:

Good decisions always come from good information.

Have a great week, everybody.