This includes pictures of you and your ex, listening to 'your' song, and gifts they gave you. While you don't necessarily have to throw all the stuff out (that cookbook you two would try recipes from might come in handy in the future) you should move it from your direct line of sight. However mad you may be, it is best not to destroy something that may be of significant financial or sentimental value to them (expensive items or family mementos). If you have items like this, the best thing is to gather them up, and arrange a time for them to come get them. This is not an invitation to reconnect, so keep your messages short and professional. Keeping in contact with them will make you feel even worse than you already do. Don't call your ex crying or send passive aggressive texts, and definitely don't communicate when you've been drinking. Your ex has made it clear that they are moving on. The best way to do that yourself is to avoid contact with them.  Delete your ex from social media. You don't need the constant reminder of what they are up to that you'll automatically get from Facebook or other social media sites. That kind of avoidance will help keep you from thinking about them.  Ask your friends to help. Don't make, or let, them fill you in on what your ex is up to. Instead, ask them to help you get your mind off them, even if it's just by spending time talking about anything else, or keeping you from contacting them. The best way to get over the past is to create a new, bright future for yourself without that person. Now is the time to fulfill your dreams of learning new skills or trying different activities. Enroll in a new after school or work class, or join a sports team, even just joining a pick-up game every week will work. The goal is to distract yourself with new ideas and activities, and to meet new people. One of the best ways to get your mind off your own problem is to try to help someone else with a challenge they are facing. Ask your friends about what is going on in their lives, or talk to your family about how they are doing. Don't let your emotions block you from the fact that other people are dealing with their own sadness. You don't have to just limit your helping to people you know. Volunteering is a great way to put your own situation into perspective. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or shelter and focus your efforts on bettering the lives of others. You may just find that in the process you discover new meaning in your own life. After giving yourself some space,  get back into the game of love. You shouldn't close yourself off, and losing someone does not mean you are unlovable or can never love again. Use your new activities to meet potential new partners, or even be willing to use online dating. You don't have to actively look for new relationships if you don't want to, but don't immediately reject the possibility if someone asks or offers. Be careful with a rebound relationship. Opening yourself up does not mean rushing into a new relationship immediately. If you move too quickly, you may mistake the easy intimacy with real feeling, and create greater pain for yourself and the other person. These processes take time, and while on the way to recovery, you may come up against days that are harder than others. Don't beat yourself up over feeling sad when you thought you were recovering. Occasionally fantasizing about your ex is normal. The surest way to think about something is to tell yourself not to think about it. Sometimes that will happen. Rather than suppress these thoughts, accept them, and look for something else to think about instead.

Summary: Get rid of things that remind you or your ex. Stop all contact with your ex. Get involved in new activities. Help someone else. Meet new people. Be patient.


Some plastic surgery procedures only take days to recover from (the more minor ones), while others take weeks or even months. It is important to speak to your plastic surgeon prior to the procedure to know what to expect in terms of your recovery. It will likely impact many other spheres of your life, such as your work life and ability to go out with friends, so it is important to be able to plan for this. It is key that you follow the specific instructions for recovery, which may include any of the following:  Medication use to control the pain and swelling, and to promote healing. Icing the affected area as needed. Elevating the affected area as needed, to diminish swelling. Avoiding direct exposure to sunlight during the healing period. Effective use of "drains" (tubes), which are sometimes inserted to help drain excess fluid in the initial healing phases, such as after cosmetic surgery to the breasts. Follow your doctor's directions for how to use the drain effectively, which should include how often to empty the drain, and if the fluid coming out should be measured.  Attending follow-up appointments in a timely fashion. In order to ensure optimum wound healing, and to make sure there are no complications or infections developing, it is important for your doctor to check on things and to receive his or her professional opinion. That way, if there are any issues with healing, they can be dealt with and resolved so that they do not become a problem later. It is key to let your doctor know any regular medications or supplements that you generally take. Some medications, like blood thinners or aspirin, can be detrimental to healing and actually increase bleeding and swelling. There are also some natural remedies and supplements that can be concerning.  As long as you disclose everything you are taking to your doctor, she can evaluate the safety of your medication regimen and make sure that nothing conflicts with wound healing or worsens bleeding. The doctor will tell you what medications need to be stopped prior to the surgery, when they should be stopped, and when to restart. Also, other medications may need to be continued straight through the surgery. For instance, do not try to get back to your usual routine or be too active too soon following plastic surgery. Over-exerting yourself can lead to complications and slow down the healing process.  Do not exercise until your doctor tells you it is okay to get back to your normal level of physical activity. Exercising too soon can prolong healing by causing swelling or bleeding, or an incision to break down. When learning how to heal after plastic surgery, do not get upset if you are bruised or swollen for a week or longer following your procedure. Plastic surgery healing times vary for each procedure and each patient.
Summary: Know what to expect in terms of recovery. Adhere to your plastic surgeon's recovery plan. Consult your doctor about medication use. Be cautious and allow your body time to recover.