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What is the downtime for surgical and non-surgical procedures if you want to sparkle through the festive period?

With the Christmas celebrations seemingly starting earlier every year with some retailers putting out their decorations even as soon as September, it all feels a little too ‘soon’ sometimes…

But what if you want to look your best for all those Christmas and New year celebrations and you’re considering having cosmetic surgery or non-surgical procedures, then we’ve got the lowdown on which procedures to have and how long the recovery period will be for each one.


The non-surgical refresh for Christmas

Not everyone wants to have cosmetic surgery, but would instead like to look refreshed and more radiant in time for that special Christmas or New Years party.

Depending on your individual needs a package can be designed by our highly qualified Aesthetic Nurse, Sue Mitchell to address any concerns you may have and create a treatment plan that is right for you, by either combining all the below treatments or by mix and matching specific treatments for your skincare needs.

Sue Mitchell - Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

I first met Sue over 30 years ago and from the moment I nervously entered the building where she worked as the Consultant’s ‘right hand’ woman, she immediately put me at ease explaining the procedure and answering all my questions. She is friendly, approachable and extremely professional. Her appearance reflects the industry of beauty in which she works; well groomed and beautiful!

Because of all these qualities I have followed Sue for treatment wherever she has worked – and as friends we have shared many emotions but whatever highs, or lows felt, Sue has never let this ‘leak’ through into her work. She has had many years of experience in many aspects of nursing including the role of Theatre Nurse and when I had some cosmetic surgery done many years ago, her before and after care were amazing. She made sure I knew exactly what to expect and ensured that I was informed and comfortable after the surgery at all times.

Personally, I feel strongly that with her experience and communication skills Sue could be a very good teacher to young people entering the profession. She is the consummate professional and has an inbuilt sense of empathy when dealing with patients. Now, all these years later, I am still lucky to have Sue as my friend and as my Aesthetic Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner.
– Linda from Lindfield

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are a great way to give your skin a refresh, sloughing away dead skin cells to reveal baby soft, radiant skin underneath. Sue herself, regularly uses the TCA Peel to keep her
skin looking incredible.

Depending on your individual needs, Sue may recommend that you have a course of treatments and there will be a little downtime needed after each one, so we would recommend that if you want to look your best in time for the festivities that you book in with Sue for a complimentary skin consultation to ensure that you get the best results in time for your party.

Anti-Wrinkle Injections

Anti-wrinkle injections are mostly used to reduce the appearance of lines around the eyes and forehead area. The product can take up to two weeks to work fully so we would recommend that you book your appointment 4-5 weeks before your special event.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are mostly used to fill deeper lines in the face, but they can also be injected into areas such as the cheeks or hollows of the cheeks to fill out the areas of the face that may have appeared to have hollowed through fat loss due to ageing.

Sue Mitchell - Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Sue Mitchell, our Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Skincare packages tailored to your individual needs

Lycogel breathable camouflage

Lycogel breathable camouflage

To accompany your aesthetic treatments and to ensure you continue to get the best results for your skin after treatment, our skin care co-ordinators can give expert advice on what products will best address your personal skin concerns. If you are concerned about covering up any imperfections such as slight bruising after cosmetic injectables or redness after a skin peel, we can advise on how best to cover them effectively and without anyone knowing you’ve had treatment, whilst ensuring your skin is protected.

Lycogel Breathable Camouflage is a unique healing and breathable foundation that provides the perfect coverage to not only hide, but help to improve the appearance of redness and bruising post treatment, accelerating the healing process. Lycogel is suitable for most sensitive skin types and is Paraben free.

Obagi is world famous for being an advanced prescription only skin care brand. It can be used effectively to not only help treat skin ageing, but also for specific skin concerns such as acne and pigmentation due to sun damage.

SkinTech products

SkinTech products

Skin Tech is a new range of skincare products to Bella Vou, but we are already amazed with the results. Skin Tech products can be used by themselves or to accompany your skin peeling treatments and reinforce their effects ensuring you get the maximum results from your treatment.


Cosmetic surgery to help you see the new year in, as a new you!

Most cosmetic surgery procedures will involve a little down time when it comes to the healing process. Most cosmetic procedures relating to below the neck line area will have instantaneous results, but may require support garments and post-surgery care for a minimum of 6 weeks so you will need to take this into consideration when booking your consultation if you want to see in the new year in with your new look fully recovered.

Concept™ Facelift

Bella Vou’s very own cosmetic surgeon, Mr Amir Nakhdjevani has developed a revolutionary local anaesthetic facelift known as the ‘Concept™ Facelift‘. This innovative procedure combines the latest surgical techniques with the use of local anaesthetic to dramatically reduce the risks associated with traditional facelifts, while significantly reducing the bruising and downtime of your recovery from months to a matter of days.

Maureen, 1 hour after her Concept Facelift & Neck Lift procedure with Amir Nakhdjevani

Maureen, 1 hour after her Concept Facelift & Neck Lift procedure with Amir Nakhdjevani

Breast Surgery

If you would like to wear that low cut dress with more confidence this Christmas, depending on what procedure you are opting for (Breast Augmentation, Breast Reduction or Breast Lift), you will need at least 6 weeks recovery time and during that period you will be required to wear specialist support garments or sports bras.

We would advise that you consider any of these procedures at least 4-8 weeks before the festivities begin to ensure that you are fully recovered before doing your thing on the dance floor.

Tummy Tuck or Liposuction

These are two very different surgeries in their techniques and recovery time for healing for a Tummy Tuck is at least 6 months – 2 weeks for the wounds to heal on the surface – 6 weeks – the underlying strength is reaching the maximum. Swelling and bruising settles by 3 months; overall movement of the abdomen and carrying out most daily activities without discomfort is 6 months.

We would not suggest a tummy tuck to anyone if they wished to be fully recovered by Christmas. Liposuction recovery time can be less, but this would depend on the amount of areas and fat removed for each individual.

Our surgeons will be able to give you an estimate of recovery time for your individual needs during your consultation.


If you would like to discuss your personal needs with our Surgeons or Aesthetic Nurse, you can now book your complimentary consultation online.

Medically reviewed by

Amir Nakhdjevan Profile

Amir Nakhdjevani

Last Updated: November 2, 2017

Published On: November 2, 2017

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