THE GUTHRIE GUIDE • Expert Answers from dr. ashley guthrie
"Vitamin T": Why Facial Plastic Surgery Recovery Takes Time
DR. GUTHRIE EXPLAINS
THE QUESTION EVERY CONSULTATION STARTS WITH
In this video, Dr. Ashley Guthrie addresses one of the most common questions she hears at consultations: how long does it really take to heal from facial plastic surgery? She talks about the difference between being socially ready and being fully healed, why she and her team coined the term "vitamin T," and why comparing your own healing to what you see on social media can work against you. View the full video transcript below.
key takeaways:
- Most patients feel ready to return to work and social activities in about two weeks.
- Full healing takes much longer, and swelling can persist for weeks or months.
- Dr. Guthrie's "Vitamin T" reminds patients that time is an essential part of recovery.
- Every patient heals differently, so avoid comparing your recovery to others on social media.
- Patience and realistic expectations are key to achieving your final results.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
In Dr. Ashley Guthrie's Words
On the question everyone wants answered:
"Let's talk about what everyone wants to know at their consultation: how long does it take to heal from facial plastic surgery? The answer no one wants to hear, but that is actually the truth, is that everyone is different."
On the general timeline for being ready socially:
"In general we tell people that after most procedures you're going to be ready to go back to work or school and see people socially again in about two weeks. However, if you're expecting full healing, no swelling, perfection at one, two, three, even four weeks later, you're going to be very disappointed."
On "vitamin T":
"We have a social media term that's been coined by our really awesome facial plastic surgeon, and that term is "vitamin T." The T in that is for time, and that's because it truly takes time to heal."
On why recovery can feel confusing:
"Even though facial plastic surgery recoveries are generally not physically extremely difficult to recover from, in terms of things like pain or need for rehabilitation, they are still surgeries. I think it can become really confusing for patients who feel like they're back to normal after a week or so. They're kind of getting back into the swing of their lives, but they're wondering: why do I still have swelling? Why do I still have bruising? Things aren't quite sitting right now. My scars look a little bumpy."
On giving yourself grace:
"You have to give yourself an adequate amount of time to heal and give yourself some grace. Have some patience with yourself. Allow your body to heal without trying to judge and assess every little detail of your results in those early phases."
On social media and comparison:
"We understand it's so hard with social media now. You see so many videos of patients and so many before-and-after photos, and frequently surgeons are showing you these really early results, even within those first couple of days or weeks. They look like they had nothing done already. They look amazing, everything's perfect, and it's really fun to show those. It's really fun to look at those, and I'm guilty of it too, because sometimes we want to show those things off. The reality is that's not most people, and we have to stop comparing ourselves and comparing the way we heal to how another person's healing, because truly no two people are alike in how their bodies respond to and heal from a surgery."
On when to actually be concerned:
"Ultimately, as your surgeon, I am always going to be here for you to hear your concerns. Hopefully your surgeon is too. Unless there is a true medical issue or complication in these first two days or weeks, which of course we're going to take very seriously, we are most likely going to tell you that you need to be patient."
FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY RECOVERY
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to heal from facial plastic surgery?
Dr. Ashley Guthrie says healing timelines vary from person to person, but as a general guideline, most patients are ready to return to work, school, or social settings in about two weeks. Full healing, including resolution of swelling, takes considerably longer.
What does "vitamin T" mean?
"Vitamin T" is a term coined within Dr. Ashley Guthrie's practice, where the "T" stands for time. It's a reminder that healing after facial plastic surgery genuinely takes time, and patience is a necessary part of the recovery process.
Is it normal to still have swelling or bruising weeks after surgery?
Yes. Dr. Ashley Guthrie notes that lingering swelling, bruising, or areas that don't yet look or feel quite right are common in the weeks following surgery, even after patients feel socially ready and back in their normal routines.
Should I compare my recovery to before-and-after photos I see on social media?
Dr. Ashley Guthrie cautions against this. She notes that surgeons, including herself at times, often share particularly fast or dramatic early results, which are not representative of the average patient's healing timeline. She emphasizes that no two people heal exactly alike.
When should I actually be concerned during recovery?
Dr. Ashley Guthrie stays available to patients throughout recovery to hear their concerns. Barring a true medical issue or complication, particularly within the first two days to two weeks, patience is generally the guidance she gives.
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Dr. Ashley Guthrie is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon at Guthrie Facial Plastic Surgery in Brentwood, Tennessee, serving patients throughout the greater Nashville area.
