This Is #1 Best Month To Get Plastic Surgery, Say Experts

You want to heal fully, and discreetly. Two surgeons pinpoint a time of year when the conditions to recover from a cosmetic procedure are just right.

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You’ve been thinking about that procedure and are finally feeling ready to take the leap and meet with a cosmetic surgeon. When you factor in your doctor consults, the weeks that might pass before you can get an OR date locked in, the busiest times of year when you don ‘t want to show up to social events having clearly just emerged from surgery…when is the prime time of year to go under the knife, laser, or whatever method your surgeon will administer?

Turns out, there is a preferred window to pursue that more confident self and meanwhile heal in the healthiest, most restful way possible. According to plastic surgeons Chukwuemeka Onyewu, MD and Dare Ajibade, MD, who both practice at Jamachi Plastic Surgery & Medi-Spa in Silver Spring, MD, fall and winter is “plastic surgery season.” Here’s why.

4 benefits of cosmetic surgery in fall & winter

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Less sun exposure

Sun exposure leads to skin damage and hyperpigmentation, which is why concealing incisions and surgery scars from the sun is vital. Drs. Onyewu and Ajibade say undergoing cosmetic procedures in the fall or winter can create a lower risk of sun exposure, mitigating the likelihood of hyperpigmented scars that can later make your work appear conspicuous…possibly permanently.

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Keeping cool

Cooler temperatures typically mean less sweating, which can be beneficial for surgical wound healing, as sweat can irritate incisions and increase the risk of infection. The chillier temps compared to hot summer weather also help to better tolerate compression garments that are often necessary for most body contouring procedures.

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Sweater weather

Long skirts? Cozy sweaters? These, along with turtlenecks, scarves, and other cold-weather apparel, can help conceal healing incisions or compression garments.

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That warm-weather reveal

Summer weddings, festivals, and vacations are even more fun when you feel your best. Having surgery in the fall or winter allows a span of months for you to rest and return to physical activity before it’s time to bare your beauty again.

It’s important to note that timing, and all other details about your surgery, should be determined in conversation with a licensed medical professional, or a team of professionals. Additionally, recovery times and post-operative care can vary widely depending on the type of procedure, so it’s essential to follow your doctor’s guidance for the best results.

Dr. Chukwuemeka Onyewu
Born in Washington, DC, Dr. Onyewu graduated from Boston University Cum Laude at the age of 19. He then attended Boston University School of Medicine as a Commonwealth Scholar, graduating in 1990. He completed his General Surgery residency at Howard University Hospital under Dr. Lasalle Leffall earning both Intern of the Year and Chief Resident of the year awards. He then completed his Plastic Surgery fellowship at Georgetown University Hospital under Dr. Scott Spear, past president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Dr. Onyewu became a diplomat of the American Board of Surgery in 1997.
Dr. Onyewu has a special interest in body sculpturing using liposuction and fat transfer and breast surgery, including augmentations, reductions, lifts, and reconstruction for breast cancer. He is also passionate about helping those less fortunate, co-founding Sustainable International Medical Missions (SIMMS), a non-profit organization the has done over 19 free medical missions in Africa including missions to Sudan, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
Dr. Dare V. Ajibade
Dr. Dare V. Ajibade, a fellowship-trained cosmetic plastic surgeon in the Washington, D.C., metro area, was born in Nigeria and grew up outside of New York City. He brings a unique socially conscious perspective and culturally competent approach to achieving collaborative and bespoke aesthetic results. In line with his commitment to excellence, he has dedicated over a decade to honing his expertise in all areas of cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, especially breast, body contouring, liposuction and fat grafting. Dr. Ajibade’s practice philosophy emphasizes safety and exceptional individualized results. His clinical approach aims to achieve a collaborative and personalized experience for each patient. Using the most advanced evidence-based techniques and technologies, he offers comprehensive aesthetic options to help all patients achieve their best self. Dr. Ajibade graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors in Biological Sciences from Rutgers, New Jersey State University. He then enrolled in the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) – New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Ajibade also completed a master’s in public health at the UMDNJ – School of Public Health. Following medical school, Dr. Ajibade completed his General Surgery training at New Jersey Medical School University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. He continued his education in Philadelphia where he completed comprehensive Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery training at Temple University Hospital. Dr. Ajibade further enhanced his capacity with a highly prestigious and competitive Aesthetics Society-endorsed fellowship in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area.