Dr. Karen Horton, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco, was recently featured in an American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) article on a topic that might feel counterintuitive in the summer, but couldn’t be more timely. The piece, titled “Thinking About a Christmastime Recovery in July? The Consultation Math Starts Now,” unpacks why patients who are considering a holiday Plastic Surgery procedure need to begin the planning process long before the first snowflake falls.

The article explores the growing popularity of Christmastime as a window for both surgical and non-surgical procedures. With extra time away from work, cooler temperatures that can ease recovery, and the natural motivation of upcoming gatherings, many patients choose the holiday season to invest in themselves. The challenge is that surgical calendars reflect that demand; spots fill up remarkably fast, sometimes months or even a year in advance.

Dr. Horton offers candid, practical insight into what patients can realistically expect when navigating the process. From scheduling a first consultation to coordinating a full surgical plan, she emphasizes that early action is the single most important thing a patient can do. She also sheds light on what a thoughtful, patient-centered consultation looks like, and why bringing a trusted support person to that first appointment can make a meaningful difference.

The article also touches on the reality of recovery: it is both a physical and an emotional journey, and the patients who plan thoughtfully, and give themselves adequate time to heal, tend to be the most satisfied with their results.

If a holiday glow-up is on your radar, now is the moment to start the conversation.

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