If you are planning to have plastic surgery done in the future, you may have many questions going through your head. One may be about preparing for that day to come. Are there things to do that will ensure everything goes smoothly? What can I do to help the recovery process?
These are all standard questions to have, and probably good ones as well. So whether you are getting something minor done like having something removed, or a significant procedure like breast augmentation, here are a few tips to help you prepare for your plastic surgery.
How to Prepare for Plastic Surgery
STAY HEALTHY
Although you can’t always predict when you will get sick, it is best to try and have your surgery scheduled while you are healthy. This will help with your recovery time and allow your immune system to focus solely on recovery. That may include taking some time off of work to relax.
So beforehand, make sure you are getting all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. “Increase your vitamin intake, especially with vitamin A and C and other minerals that help aid in recovery and building up the immune system,” says Dr. Gary Breslow of The Breslow Center for Plastic Surgery in New Jersey.
Protein is essential when you are in recovery mode. Extra protein helps rebuild anything damaged, like tissues and blood vessels. So kick up the protein intake before and during your recovery period.
UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
It is crucial that you know exactly what will be done during your surgery, as well as any complications that could arise. You do not want to be caught off guard if something did not go correctly. So when you meet for your consultation, or even afterwards, ask any question that you can think of.
It is especially important to know what you can about the surgeon. Make sure he or she is fully qualified to do the procedure. Not only that, are you comfortable with this person as well? These are all feelings you can get from meeting during the consultation. Do you want a doctor that does not act professional or someone who pays attention to every detail performing your procedure?
CHECK CREDENTIALS
A reputable plastic surgeon will not only have their credentials visible and available for you to see, but they will also be member of the American Academy of Plastic Surgeons. They will also be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Doctors who are members of these groups have to go through rigorous performance exams and they are overseen by board members to ensure competency. Ask to see your doctor’s credentials and don’t be afraid to ask them if they are members of both groups.
STOP UNHEALTHY HABITS
If you have a few habits that are considered to be unhealthy, it is a good idea to stop them before the surgery. Two common habits that are highly recommended to discontinue are smoking and drinking.
Smoking negatively affects the body altogether. But when it comes to plastic surgery, it can inhibit the healing process. “Smoking restricts blood flow within the body, and raises your risk of serious complications,” says Dr. Breslow. So when an area needs extra blood to help heal itself, the tissue that is damaged might not get the blood supply it needs.
Alcohol is known to thin the blood. So if a doctor is cutting into your body (which usually results in bleeding), thinned blood can be dangerous. It makes it harder for the doctor to control any bleeding, especially if unexpected bleeding occurs. Not only that, alcohol dries the skin which makes the healing processes even harder.
INTERVIEW SURGEONS
A quick Google search to see who is the plastic surgeon closest to you shouldn’t be the end of your research. Take your time to visit with several plastic surgeons who are experts in the type of surgery you’d like. Ask them questions like:
- How many of these types of surgeries they have done
- Before and after pictures
- Credentials
- Their process for surgery and recovery times
- Their process if something goes wrong or you aren’t satisfied
- What to expect before and after surgery
- Testimonials from prior patients
The key takeaway when preparing for plastic surgery is to stay as healthy as possible and ask as many questions as you can. Especially if you are going into an extensive procedure that requires a lot of downtime, you want to be reassured that you are in the best hands possible. Take your time in interviewing surgeons and making sure that this procedure is right for you. Even though many are considered somewhat routine, it still carries a number of dangers as all surgeries do.
