During the holidays, many people opt to give the gift of plastic surgery, even if it’s to themselves! This week, we’re weighing the pros and the cons of winter procedures and outlining what to watch out for when planning your plastic surgery.

Pros of Plastic Surgery in Winter

There are tons of positives to winter surgical procedures. First, you won’t have to worry about sunburns on fresh scar tissue because you’re likely to have any incisions covered while outside. You’ll also likely sweat less due to the cold weather which means your incisions will stay cleaner between showers. Long weekends due to the holidays are a great time to plan surgeries as you’re unlikely to leave the house and you can add an extra couple days off to extend your recovery time if need be. Layered clothing will also help cover any unsightly bruising and swelling until your body has had enough time to heal fully!

Cons of Plastic Surgery in Winter

Unfortunately, getting surgery in winter still has its downsides. Layering clothing is great for covering surgery scars and swelling while you heal. However, some surgeries – like breast augmentations or liposuction in the arms – can make getting dressed harder and layers more difficult. Lay out clothes that zip up or button before undergoing a procedure as these will be easiest to take on and off while you heal. Getting surgery in the winter also means no heavy lifting or physical exertion of any kind for quite some time. Therefore, if you are unable to take time off of your job, if you are the only person able to shovel your driveway, etc., you should postpone surgery until such a time that you are able to take a break. This includes the stress of holiday feasts! Family turkeys can weigh around 15 lbs., so getting them prepped, into the oven, and out of the oven can be problematic if you just had surgery. That’s not even accounting for all the vacuuming, dusting, scrubbing, and general running around associated with hosting the holidays. If you’re planning a surgery, ensure you have enough help to do things like cooking, cleaning, and Christmas shopping.

So, are Winter Procedures Best?

Overall, winter is one of the best times to get the surgery you’ve been wanting. You should have the freedom and flexibility to relax, care for yourself, and get the most out of your procedure without missing out on the fun and festivities of nice weather outdoors like you would in summer. However, make sure you take the time to plan your holiday season so that surgery doesn’t interfere. Always have enough family and friends around to help with physical labor: especially for the two weeks directly after your surgery.

Know someone looking fulfill the motto “new year, new you”? Share this article with the people in your life who are contemplating surgery this season.