Once you’ve decided to go ahead with a plastic surgery procedure, whether liposuction, breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or a combination of surgeries, you should make sure your body and mind are at their best. Surgery of any kind, including aesthetic plastic surgery, is to some extent a stress for your body, both physically and psychologically. Achieving the best results requires a partnership between you as the patient and your plastic surgeon, and there are a number of things you can do to prepare in order to help your body heal in the best possible way.
1. Stop smoking. Completely. You should quit smoking for at least 1 month before and after your surgery, but preferably for ever. The nicotine from cigarette and cigar smoke has many deleterious effects on your body, and especially on your ability to heal properly. Your risk of complications, especially wound healing problems, is significantly increased by smoking. And once you quit, try to avoid ever going back.
2. Eat a healthy and balanced diet, try to exercise regularly and maintain a steady weight. Fresh fruit and vegetables and protein are all very important to your overall health. Avoid crash diets, miracle diets or diet pills. Ask your plastic surgeon for a list of medications, foods and herbal supplements you need to avoid before and after your surgery.
3. Get plenty of rest. Sleep is extremely important to allow for the body to repair itself. Try to get plenty of sleep before undergoing any surgery. Find out from your plastic surgeon if you there are positional requirements after your surgery, and make sure you have extra pillows or other bedding if you need it.
Having plastic surgery should be a rewarding experience, both physically and emotionally, and with the right preparation you can maximize its benefits. Dr. Hutchinson would be happy to discuss all aspects of aesthetic surgery procedures with you in her Manhattan, NYC office. Please call the office at (212) 452-1400 to schedule your consultation.
